Posted 8th May 2021 to The New York Times Newspaper NY USA
I have an electronic message to pass on from Odentroll to Codemonkey Z :
"Well Played Young Monkey! Q-Dos to you!
Now let us see what numbers my side has to roll" .
Saturday, May 22, 2021
To Q it may concern...
Green Covid Jobs - New Zealand
Posted 2nd May 2021 to the Southland Times Newspaper Invercargill New Zealand NZ
I must comment on the Jobs for Nature scheme in Saturdays paper.
I have been working on jobs for nature in Fiordland for decades now I wanted to use cycle trails as a dual delivery system for pest & weed control but also for public appreciation of our pristine wilderness so far our Government has not been of much help.
It is almost insane that our last proper park review was in 2007 in some countries that would be considered neglect.
I have to say... As an old school big picture conservationist I have to roll my eyes at the green-washing that has been going on in our area and the lack of transparency of public spending and benefits in this area.
People need jobs BUT they need to feel useful and appreciated least we forget we are living the the Anthropocene Era and we just have to live with it... Yes we can help but only nature can fix what has been done because nature is not run as a business or political position. Sorry to tell you the worst of it is not in the bounds of our National Parks either.
Building a basic car for the times RNZ
Posted 13th of April 2021 to Nine to Nine Radio New Zealand Wellington New Zealand
There are a couple of things that bother me about Automobiles of the 21st century..
Firstly they are WAY to complex I would still be driving my Morris Minor because it had a lot less to break down alas
the rust regulations meant that a single blemish on the bodywork on a 60 year old car means you cant drive it on the road.
Despite the benefits to the environment of making a car last a life
time. It is also sad that all the creative mind power in the automobile
industry is focused on unnecessary electronics and not on durability...
Cars can be designed to withstand a 40kmph crash with out major panel
damage what we have now is metal eggshells on wheels.
The other thing is our national passion for Classic Cars. Why do we not have a deal like Australia and treat these cars as heritage items to be preserved with a special registration and more relaxed registration and rules ?
In the future cars may only be used for special occasions not as mass transport so this makes perfect sense.
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
The Health of New Zealand
Posted August 30th 2019 to the Southland Times Newspaper Invercargill NZ
After reading the paper today it is interesting to reflect on how health has become a huge political issue in the USA with over 65 percent of the population putting on the heat for government assistance with healthcare, arguing their tax dollars are meant to be a kind of heath insurance seems to be a political no-brainer.
In NZ politically speaking the idea of maintaining the Nation’s Health is not such an urgent issue.
Yet all the indicators are that we are slipping not just in physical health but mental well being.
I don’t know about the current politicians but in the past we had the Values Party who pretty much put such things on the top of the list.
Since the 1980s when the USA encouraged us to ditch our Kiwi socialist ideals we have been overworked underpaid and exploited, now I think our
minds & bodies are paying the price... But worse yet we no longer care as much for each other as we once did and sadly overseas there is precious little hope at all in that direction.
Life on Earth can be tricky, still, on the bright side, we are not literally on fire.
After reading the paper today it is interesting to reflect on how health has become a huge political issue in the USA with over 65 percent of the population putting on the heat for government assistance with healthcare, arguing their tax dollars are meant to be a kind of heath insurance seems to be a political no-brainer.
In NZ politically speaking the idea of maintaining the Nation’s Health is not such an urgent issue.
Yet all the indicators are that we are slipping not just in physical health but mental well being.
I don’t know about the current politicians but in the past we had the Values Party who pretty much put such things on the top of the list.
Since the 1980s when the USA encouraged us to ditch our Kiwi socialist ideals we have been overworked underpaid and exploited, now I think our
minds & bodies are paying the price... But worse yet we no longer care as much for each other as we once did and sadly overseas there is precious little hope at all in that direction.
Life on Earth can be tricky, still, on the bright side, we are not literally on fire.
The Honour in Failure
Posted 23rd of August 2019 to the Southland Times Newspaper Invercargill NZ
I was just thinking a great part of a vibrant society is due to the rare human desire to try the unusual and face down failure.
Maybe one day a year we should take time to celebrate the noble failures that happened in our region that would otherwise go un-sung and forgotten.
People are quick to scoff at crazy endeavors when they fail but when they succeed they can often change our society and our communities.
History is full of examples of near failures that took off and Southland has it’s share as well as some that didn’t.
So here is to the unsung dreamers of Southland who push boundaries against the odds and don’t quite make it a conservative, sparsely populated region.
It has been noted the only difference between Invercargill and Silicon Valley is San Jose has a huge pile of money to throw at crazy stuff like Travis Kalanick’s UBER or Rob Rhinehart’s SOYLENT (food replacement) and inflict painfully unfeasible bad ideas on the world, Oh and let’s not forget to mention Joe Gebba and Brian Chesky founders of Air B&B who are literally causing an economic refugee crises around the world. then there was the Guy selling vote cancelling software in Florida.
So yes failure could indeed be a positive thing in some cases.
I was just thinking a great part of a vibrant society is due to the rare human desire to try the unusual and face down failure.
Maybe one day a year we should take time to celebrate the noble failures that happened in our region that would otherwise go un-sung and forgotten.
People are quick to scoff at crazy endeavors when they fail but when they succeed they can often change our society and our communities.
History is full of examples of near failures that took off and Southland has it’s share as well as some that didn’t.
So here is to the unsung dreamers of Southland who push boundaries against the odds and don’t quite make it a conservative, sparsely populated region.
It has been noted the only difference between Invercargill and Silicon Valley is San Jose has a huge pile of money to throw at crazy stuff like Travis Kalanick’s UBER or Rob Rhinehart’s SOYLENT (food replacement) and inflict painfully unfeasible bad ideas on the world, Oh and let’s not forget to mention Joe Gebba and Brian Chesky founders of Air B&B who are literally causing an economic refugee crises around the world. then there was the Guy selling vote cancelling software in Florida.
So yes failure could indeed be a positive thing in some cases.
Malcolm Gladwell - Lateral Thinking
Posted 20th August 2019 to the New York Times Newspaper NY NY USA
Canada's Malcolm Gladwell pointed out recently the historic problems of getting a large number of people to work together
It really has to be done by precedent to be workable.
However the problem is our leaders have to be able to break the rules when faced with new problems such as compromised power structures and blackmailed justice corrupting the interpretation of precedent.
I think what Malcolm was saying is that the United States is overdue for leaders who have the strength and wisdom to use their seats of power to effect urgent society corrections, not just keep those seats as Butt Warmers and default like sheep to precedent like it is scripture.
When Bernie Sanders says the US can have health care for all what he means is humans can do anything if they are open to change.
Precedent is like the glue to hold us together but it gums up everyone when it gets in the gears of judgment.
To our representatives, take the risk of thinking for your self, it may feel uncomfortable at first but it will open a rewarding world that will be a place of truth, beauty and unknown possibilities.
Canada's Malcolm Gladwell pointed out recently the historic problems of getting a large number of people to work together
It really has to be done by precedent to be workable.
However the problem is our leaders have to be able to break the rules when faced with new problems such as compromised power structures and blackmailed justice corrupting the interpretation of precedent.
I think what Malcolm was saying is that the United States is overdue for leaders who have the strength and wisdom to use their seats of power to effect urgent society corrections, not just keep those seats as Butt Warmers and default like sheep to precedent like it is scripture.
When Bernie Sanders says the US can have health care for all what he means is humans can do anything if they are open to change.
Precedent is like the glue to hold us together but it gums up everyone when it gets in the gears of judgment.
To our representatives, take the risk of thinking for your self, it may feel uncomfortable at first but it will open a rewarding world that will be a place of truth, beauty and unknown possibilities.
The Young Turks - NZ Challenge
Posted August 9th 2019 to the Dominion Post Newspaper Wellington NZ
According to Radio NZs Te Radar our MPs are not generating much material to keep keep a healthy news cycle going compared to the news bite bonanza across the pacific in the USA.
It can make it a hungry time for our critics and comedians .
It’s the old don’t rock the boat and be comfortable strategy at play again but maybe there is a way to liven things up to keep our leaders in the news and the polls...
In the US one on-line news media outfit asks progressive politicians to sign a pledge that they stand for not only climate action but more importantly, justice.
This gives the political movers and shakers a united voice not only to the media but also to recruit more justice candidates.
In a NZ Context this could cross party lines as well.
Who knows National might even be up for it, after all it is known as THE YOUNG TURKS Challenge .
According to Radio NZs Te Radar our MPs are not generating much material to keep keep a healthy news cycle going compared to the news bite bonanza across the pacific in the USA.
It can make it a hungry time for our critics and comedians .
It’s the old don’t rock the boat and be comfortable strategy at play again but maybe there is a way to liven things up to keep our leaders in the news and the polls...
In the US one on-line news media outfit asks progressive politicians to sign a pledge that they stand for not only climate action but more importantly, justice.
This gives the political movers and shakers a united voice not only to the media but also to recruit more justice candidates.
In a NZ Context this could cross party lines as well.
Who knows National might even be up for it, after all it is known as THE YOUNG TURKS Challenge .
Sexual Minefield USA - GUNS
Posted April 8th 2019 to the New York Times Newspaper NY NY USA
One cog overlooked in the US mass shootings debacle is the question of young American male role models and sexuality or lack of it,
Scandinavians have long treated sex frustration as a mental health issue but in America it is a taboo issue.
If you look at all the ways young men can be tormented in the United States from guilt of failure this issue has to rate one of the highest.
Add this to the crumbling faith in our institutions of power to keep them from despair about the future on many different levels and the
Break down of general empathy of the State down to family and friends the young American Male is going to have it rough especially if they are un attractive.
I think it was Sweden that decided that as part of social medicine even the most unattractive people should have access to state funded sex workers
For their mental well being and the well being of the society.
Probably because the fact is no human asks to be born in to a world of misery and then be humiliated fro not being rich and attractive.
Sadly in America today justice is handed out by over-sexed rich old men of privilege who label and dismiss any malcontents as evil or mad.
Even worse the repeated overuse of helplessness as a political tool is becoming to many, unbearable!
We better use hope and prayers that they never turn on their tormentors instead of kicking downward.
INSELL
One cog overlooked in the US mass shootings debacle is the question of young American male role models and sexuality or lack of it,
Scandinavians have long treated sex frustration as a mental health issue but in America it is a taboo issue.
If you look at all the ways young men can be tormented in the United States from guilt of failure this issue has to rate one of the highest.
Add this to the crumbling faith in our institutions of power to keep them from despair about the future on many different levels and the
Break down of general empathy of the State down to family and friends the young American Male is going to have it rough especially if they are un attractive.
I think it was Sweden that decided that as part of social medicine even the most unattractive people should have access to state funded sex workers
For their mental well being and the well being of the society.
Probably because the fact is no human asks to be born in to a world of misery and then be humiliated fro not being rich and attractive.
Sadly in America today justice is handed out by over-sexed rich old men of privilege who label and dismiss any malcontents as evil or mad.
Even worse the repeated overuse of helplessness as a political tool is becoming to many, unbearable!
We better use hope and prayers that they never turn on their tormentors instead of kicking downward.
50 years of Manapouri Power
Posted 7th August 2019 to the Otago Daily Times Newspaper Dunedin NZ
Sept 14th 2019 will mark half a century of power production from the Manapouri Power station.
Seems like it may pass without an event to celebrate NZs most ambitious Engineering Project.
I hope that Meridian Energy will at least re open the station to the public again.
But before health and safety halted public interaction meridian was putting together a display of historic equipment in an audit tunnel
That is now under a cloud.
To this day no museum has been attempted to showcase the life and times of the people that toiled to build this epic project.
Some of us have tried to keep artefacts for that event but sometimes it feels like its all in vein.
Perhaps there is too much sadness involved with the reckless, needless environmental damage that was narrowly avoided and the painful loss of a NZ Taxpayers money
selling their assets without consultation that wasn’t.
Either way it’s sad the people of Fiordland who are forgotten.
Sept 14th 2019 will mark half a century of power production from the Manapouri Power station.
Seems like it may pass without an event to celebrate NZs most ambitious Engineering Project.
I hope that Meridian Energy will at least re open the station to the public again.
But before health and safety halted public interaction meridian was putting together a display of historic equipment in an audit tunnel
That is now under a cloud.
To this day no museum has been attempted to showcase the life and times of the people that toiled to build this epic project.
Some of us have tried to keep artefacts for that event but sometimes it feels like its all in vein.
Perhaps there is too much sadness involved with the reckless, needless environmental damage that was narrowly avoided and the painful loss of a NZ Taxpayers money
selling their assets without consultation that wasn’t.
Either way it’s sad the people of Fiordland who are forgotten.
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Maternity Leave Tourism - Germany 2020
Posted 23rd February 2020 to the Otago Daily Times Newspaper Dunedin New Zealand
I find this year a lot more German couples are traveling with babies than before Its nice to see that the country that invented the protestant work ethic really sees the benefits of giving its people a lot of leisure time unlike the poor saps in this country who are driven to burn out by punitive working conditions. It is however not clear why young Germans want to drag crying babies half way around the world to see a country they will never remember. Considering they are well aware and mindful of the environmental damage jet travel causes one has to wonder what is going on. It is also odd how people want to have a long distance holiday when a global pandemic is brewing.
Still, Hats off the a country that takes recreation of its citizens seriously, we could learn something from them.
I find this year a lot more German couples are traveling with babies than before Its nice to see that the country that invented the protestant work ethic really sees the benefits of giving its people a lot of leisure time unlike the poor saps in this country who are driven to burn out by punitive working conditions. It is however not clear why young Germans want to drag crying babies half way around the world to see a country they will never remember. Considering they are well aware and mindful of the environmental damage jet travel causes one has to wonder what is going on. It is also odd how people want to have a long distance holiday when a global pandemic is brewing.
Still, Hats off the a country that takes recreation of its citizens seriously, we could learn something from them.
Tourism Crunch - New Zealand 2020
Posted 15th February 2020 to the Otago Daily Times Newspaper Dunedin N.Z
Apart from the Corona virus effecting our Asian Visitors and Crayfish Exports, the Rivers in the Sky event has changed Tourism in Fiordland drastically this month with many displaced seasonal tourism workers looking for support to live in our high rent resorts and I would like to take a moment to thank those people who are looking out for them.
Also my hat goes off to our promotional agents who try to keep local spirits up with Keep Calm and Carry On determination.
Sadly this season is not going to function normally till the repairs are done and even then the pattern For Heavy Passenger Vehicles only might be the new normal on the Milford Road. Doubtful Sound has not been future proofed thanks to a decision last century and currently has a 4 to 5 day backlog an allegedly priority goes to Queenstown.
News is now adventuresome tourists are starting to seek out the secret places on Fiordland's Eastern Boundary by car so that may prove interesting especially for the spectacular Borland Saddle Area.
We look forward to next season where Climate Action will be the hot topic.
Apart from the Corona virus effecting our Asian Visitors and Crayfish Exports, the Rivers in the Sky event has changed Tourism in Fiordland drastically this month with many displaced seasonal tourism workers looking for support to live in our high rent resorts and I would like to take a moment to thank those people who are looking out for them.
Also my hat goes off to our promotional agents who try to keep local spirits up with Keep Calm and Carry On determination.
Sadly this season is not going to function normally till the repairs are done and even then the pattern For Heavy Passenger Vehicles only might be the new normal on the Milford Road. Doubtful Sound has not been future proofed thanks to a decision last century and currently has a 4 to 5 day backlog an allegedly priority goes to Queenstown.
News is now adventuresome tourists are starting to seek out the secret places on Fiordland's Eastern Boundary by car so that may prove interesting especially for the spectacular Borland Saddle Area.
We look forward to next season where Climate Action will be the hot topic.
CANCEL THE OLYMPICS - CLIMATE EMERGENCY
Posted January 21st to the Dominion Post Newspaper Wellington New Zealand
So the majority of educated people on this planet say we are in a Climate Emergency and Japan is putting on the Olympic Games
saying they will make them GREEN by making Cardboard Beds for their participants.
I have never much liked the Olympic Games after watching the Munich massacre unfold because it became clear they where no longer honest and morally dodgy.
In 2020 The very Idea of the world's elite burning up fossil fuel, displacing urban communities and tones of public money just to feed their egos seems rely out of touch...
On top of that there is a problem with Japan's bungled Nuclear disaster clean up and Chinese virus concerns...
and now they may have to answer to Greta Thornberg and her friends in the extinction rebellion for misappropriating the label GREEN.
So the majority of educated people on this planet say we are in a Climate Emergency and Japan is putting on the Olympic Games
saying they will make them GREEN by making Cardboard Beds for their participants.
I have never much liked the Olympic Games after watching the Munich massacre unfold because it became clear they where no longer honest and morally dodgy.
In 2020 The very Idea of the world's elite burning up fossil fuel, displacing urban communities and tones of public money just to feed their egos seems rely out of touch...
On top of that there is a problem with Japan's bungled Nuclear disaster clean up and Chinese virus concerns...
and now they may have to answer to Greta Thornberg and her friends in the extinction rebellion for misappropriating the label GREEN.
National Cycle Trail - New Zealand
Posted January 10 2020 to the Dominion Post Newspaper Wellington NZ
I read that the media is interested in the Idea of a Trans New Zealand Cycle Trail to get cycles off the main roads
I had mentioned in the past that in Southland at least the National "Te Aroha" Trail could be upgraded to allow Bicycles but instead they went for a half loop around a remote mountain range which is now a financial headache.
Sadly the Route was more about politics and government handouts than cycling.
I think we could enlist a few more creative minds in our decision making about tourism as it is looking a bit like a dogs breakfast.
But this is a young country learning as it goes.
I read that the media is interested in the Idea of a Trans New Zealand Cycle Trail to get cycles off the main roads
I had mentioned in the past that in Southland at least the National "Te Aroha" Trail could be upgraded to allow Bicycles but instead they went for a half loop around a remote mountain range which is now a financial headache.
Sadly the Route was more about politics and government handouts than cycling.
I think we could enlist a few more creative minds in our decision making about tourism as it is looking a bit like a dogs breakfast.
But this is a young country learning as it goes.
Helping Hands of US Democracy
Posted 16th of December 2019 to the Dominion Post Newspaper Wellington New Zealand.
Just noticed ex pat Americans and friends of world democracy feeling worried about the state of the US electoral system
can now help remotely from any part of the world.
I seems there is now a legitimate way to finance honest election helpers on line
through votesaveamerica.com/fairfight
I guess the Idea is what happens in Washington effects us all where ever we reside and that is often a little skewed by bad actors.
daylight it seems is the best antiseptic.
Just noticed ex pat Americans and friends of world democracy feeling worried about the state of the US electoral system
can now help remotely from any part of the world.
I seems there is now a legitimate way to finance honest election helpers on line
through votesaveamerica.com/fairfight
I guess the Idea is what happens in Washington effects us all where ever we reside and that is often a little skewed by bad actors.
daylight it seems is the best antiseptic.
Sunday, December 29, 2019
Metaphorical Good vs Evil USA
Posted 2nd Nov 2019 to the Thinking Athiest Channel
I watched the Documentary Hail Satan as you suggested on your show..
And I also watched the Loudest Voice about Roger Ailes and fox news..
And I noticed a pattern... The Satan is in the details :-)
Just change the labels around like a biblical satin convert would do and it all becomes clear
If you called the Christian Right of the USA True Satanists they would tick all the boxes.
And if you called Bernie Sanders the Second Coming that would fit the biblical narrative too
As he has all the best loved Christ like talking points and he was also born a jew.
Yet he is labeled a nasty socialist.
The Republican Parties literal plan is to terraform our planet into a burning Hell as well as figuratively.
They literally seem to embrace the destruction of what theology calls creation in the most painful
Way possible.
Not to put to fine a point on it when the people of the middle east call the USA the great Satin
I didn’t think we would actually try and own that Title !
Not Sure who Plays the Roll of the Prince of Darkness but we can certainly see his minions in high office.
All the Best
Keep up your fight for humanity
I watched the Documentary Hail Satan as you suggested on your show..
And I also watched the Loudest Voice about Roger Ailes and fox news..
And I noticed a pattern... The Satan is in the details :-)
Just change the labels around like a biblical satin convert would do and it all becomes clear
If you called the Christian Right of the USA True Satanists they would tick all the boxes.
And if you called Bernie Sanders the Second Coming that would fit the biblical narrative too
As he has all the best loved Christ like talking points and he was also born a jew.
Yet he is labeled a nasty socialist.
The Republican Parties literal plan is to terraform our planet into a burning Hell as well as figuratively.
They literally seem to embrace the destruction of what theology calls creation in the most painful
Way possible.
Not to put to fine a point on it when the people of the middle east call the USA the great Satin
I didn’t think we would actually try and own that Title !
Not Sure who Plays the Roll of the Prince of Darkness but we can certainly see his minions in high office.
All the Best
Keep up your fight for humanity
AMERICA and its moral compass
Posted 29th Dec 2019 to the New York Times Newspaper NY NY USA
I recall a few years back when they where looking for a new Pope I wrote a letter musing why they don't they at least try to pick one like they where a democracy.
My question now is what good is religious faith in politics? And what are the rules .
because it appears in the USA Christianity has lost it’s moral compass and no one seems to want to try and guide them back from moral toxicity when it comes to democracy.
And strangely they are scared of our the most Christ like Senator from Vermont
One might even feel like in the USA faith is just a cynical tax dodge with no real humanity at all.
Christian descent In Trump’s America? Their silence is howling !
I recall a few years back when they where looking for a new Pope I wrote a letter musing why they don't they at least try to pick one like they where a democracy.
My question now is what good is religious faith in politics? And what are the rules .
because it appears in the USA Christianity has lost it’s moral compass and no one seems to want to try and guide them back from moral toxicity when it comes to democracy.
And strangely they are scared of our the most Christ like Senator from Vermont
One might even feel like in the USA faith is just a cynical tax dodge with no real humanity at all.
Christian descent In Trump’s America? Their silence is howling !
Saturday, August 3, 2019
The Wounds of Racism USA
Posted 3rd August 2019 to the Otago Daily Times Newspaper Dunedin NZ.
Observing the right wing in the USA picking at the scabs of racism that the country has been try hard to heal seems as maddening as watching a pet chewing at stitches .
It is the seals I feel sorry for not the performing marine animals but the elite navy commandos, when their terminally racist commander in chief publicly throws presidential weight against
the men who tried to stop one of their own who has clearly lost his mind with hate. If this is not a call for racial violence It is certainly a green light.
I worry that America’s Manifest Destiny is rearing its ugly head again, It must be said It is a destiny based on stealing mostly against people who can’t fight back.
So if you have a nation that is a pyramid of torment and theft where will it end. It’s not just people of colour who suffer but woman, children, but white voters, the sick and clearly everyone in the future.
History shows racism is toxic and inhuman but it is good for business... In a billionaire gangster’s paradise...
Observing the right wing in the USA picking at the scabs of racism that the country has been try hard to heal seems as maddening as watching a pet chewing at stitches .
It is the seals I feel sorry for not the performing marine animals but the elite navy commandos, when their terminally racist commander in chief publicly throws presidential weight against
the men who tried to stop one of their own who has clearly lost his mind with hate. If this is not a call for racial violence It is certainly a green light.
I worry that America’s Manifest Destiny is rearing its ugly head again, It must be said It is a destiny based on stealing mostly against people who can’t fight back.
So if you have a nation that is a pyramid of torment and theft where will it end. It’s not just people of colour who suffer but woman, children, but white voters, the sick and clearly everyone in the future.
History shows racism is toxic and inhuman but it is good for business... In a billionaire gangster’s paradise...
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
NZ Conservation Department Blues
Posted 19th July 2019 to the Southland Times Newspaper Invercargill NZ
Just some observations on the Department of Conservation concessions debate in Fridays Paper.
I think the real problem is that of mandate.
It started when the Department of Conservation was turned into the department of homeland environment security
and away from recreation after the Cave Creek disaster. Since then there has been no real govt organization focusing on the
fundamental reason for our national parks exist in the first place and that vacuum has been a bit of an open wound.
I guess because tourist visitor numbers are cyclical and Kiwis are so horrendously overworked they now have very little time for
recreation anymore, it makes sense in a way to ignore the problem and just run out the clock, a perfect strategy for a cash stripped
demoralised department one would think?
It is also sad that the people of Te Anau have been waiting over a decade on the clock for a thumbs up for Cycle Trails in their national park
and have now had to look to the Snowdon Forest for recreation opportunities.
I must say I some how doubt that the visionaries who founded our national parks did so to lock off all the best scenic places from the 99 percent but
that is what the effect is in 2019.
Just some observations on the Department of Conservation concessions debate in Fridays Paper.
I think the real problem is that of mandate.
It started when the Department of Conservation was turned into the department of homeland environment security
and away from recreation after the Cave Creek disaster. Since then there has been no real govt organization focusing on the
fundamental reason for our national parks exist in the first place and that vacuum has been a bit of an open wound.
I guess because tourist visitor numbers are cyclical and Kiwis are so horrendously overworked they now have very little time for
recreation anymore, it makes sense in a way to ignore the problem and just run out the clock, a perfect strategy for a cash stripped
demoralised department one would think?
It is also sad that the people of Te Anau have been waiting over a decade on the clock for a thumbs up for Cycle Trails in their national park
and have now had to look to the Snowdon Forest for recreation opportunities.
I must say I some how doubt that the visionaries who founded our national parks did so to lock off all the best scenic places from the 99 percent but
that is what the effect is in 2019.
Blackmailed Leaders Flagged
Posted 14th July 2019 to the Chicago Tribune Newspaper USA
Watching the politics playing out in Washington DC with a hand full of greedy individuals holding the future of a huge complicated Nation and unimaginable mass of Humanity in their hands,
one has to ask what our the safeguards against blackmail and if it happens who can stop it and if there are no watchdogs or whistle blowers the who can see it when it happens.
And if so how can it be distinguished from day to day donor activity without proper transparency ?
Several powerful key people in Washington are acting very irrational, is that normal or are they in fact under some sort of duress?
The Framers and Founders where worried about this but in the 21st century we seem to be more concerned about small change and minutia.
It is a feature of every human brain only handle a community of just over 100 person after that the mind shuts off so running a superpower involves a network of leaders that not only know how to organize for the greater good but also send out alerts when the net work is corrupted or subverted and that transcends national boundaries, cultures and faiths.
Currently this network is sending up a lot of warning flags!
Watching the politics playing out in Washington DC with a hand full of greedy individuals holding the future of a huge complicated Nation and unimaginable mass of Humanity in their hands,
one has to ask what our the safeguards against blackmail and if it happens who can stop it and if there are no watchdogs or whistle blowers the who can see it when it happens.
And if so how can it be distinguished from day to day donor activity without proper transparency ?
Several powerful key people in Washington are acting very irrational, is that normal or are they in fact under some sort of duress?
The Framers and Founders where worried about this but in the 21st century we seem to be more concerned about small change and minutia.
It is a feature of every human brain only handle a community of just over 100 person after that the mind shuts off so running a superpower involves a network of leaders that not only know how to organize for the greater good but also send out alerts when the net work is corrupted or subverted and that transcends national boundaries, cultures and faiths.
Currently this network is sending up a lot of warning flags!
The end of the People's Car
Posted 12th July 2019 to the Southland Times Newspaper Invercargill NZ
Reading your story about the Mexicans love of the classic VW beetle and the end of the 1990s reboot version production I feel like an observation is in order.
Frankly I feel like the automotive industry has lost it’s marbles.
In the past there was a push to sell no nonsense peoples cars the Ford Model T, The Austin 7, the VW Beetle, the CV Citroen, cars that where cheep fixable rugged and could
drive across a ploughed field. Loaded with character and wonderfully cheep & simple. Perfect for the undeveloped world.
Can I buy a modern counterpart today? No, because they are not allowed to make them. The waste of energy in building a disposable modern car is astounding when we could make cars that
can last forever and take knocks unlike the shiny metal egg shells of today.
I see GM has shut down car plants in the USA to gear up for autonomous electric cars because Americans only want to buy Trucks??
Ironically Mexico has no shortage of drivers all they need is some kind of VW Beetle that can reach rugged remote destinations without falling apart.
Reading your story about the Mexicans love of the classic VW beetle and the end of the 1990s reboot version production I feel like an observation is in order.
Frankly I feel like the automotive industry has lost it’s marbles.
In the past there was a push to sell no nonsense peoples cars the Ford Model T, The Austin 7, the VW Beetle, the CV Citroen, cars that where cheep fixable rugged and could
drive across a ploughed field. Loaded with character and wonderfully cheep & simple. Perfect for the undeveloped world.
Can I buy a modern counterpart today? No, because they are not allowed to make them. The waste of energy in building a disposable modern car is astounding when we could make cars that
can last forever and take knocks unlike the shiny metal egg shells of today.
I see GM has shut down car plants in the USA to gear up for autonomous electric cars because Americans only want to buy Trucks??
Ironically Mexico has no shortage of drivers all they need is some kind of VW Beetle that can reach rugged remote destinations without falling apart.
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