I thought the rather gently implied message from The Queen's Christmas Message this year was that we are stronger together. I believe evidence of this is found in her mention of the Battle of Jutland, the size of the Commonwealth, and her call for respect and understanding. Yes, the latter is clearly a Brexit reference but I think the imagery of the message is broader. She's calling for Empire 2.0 and about time too.
December 26, 2018
December 24, 2018
New Zealand National Party Incompetence
It's not just New Zealand Labour and the New Zealand First party that are incompetent. It's the National Party as well, which makes NZ vulnerable to say the least as the country lacks effective governance. The parties just mentioned have no right to exist, that's how incompetent they are. But they do exist and the reasons for that are many and varied, but one reason that stands out is the failure of the media and industry groups to hold them to account.
The list of how these parties have failed their country is a long one. The most recent example was Labour/NZ First's oil and gas exploration ban. Sheer incompetence that one. But National did even worse during their previous stint in office. That's what this blog post is about.
I'm talking about cement. Readers may recall the recent outage at Golden Bay Cement's facility near Whangarei and how that impacted NZ's cement supply (Golden Bay Cement is owned by Fletcher Building, their woes continue). This cement plant is the only cement production plant left in NZ. If it goes down as it did this year, the economy is in jeopardy.
Well, the predicament NZ found itself in is because of the inaction of the previous National government, it had nothing to do with Labour as it turns out.
What National did is it looked the other way, put its fingers in its ears and went 'nah nah nah can't hear a thing' when Holcim announced they were ceasing manufacturing in NZ. That was despite Holcim having the resource and all the consents in place to continue.
I wrote to the government about this situation, contacted the Manufacturers Association, you name it. Well, the Manufacturers Association understood, they were already on it. But do you think the National government wanted to know? Not likely and I'll tell you why:
They were too thick to understand the importance of cement to an industrialised economy. They're dumb shits. And that's an understatement.
So what happened? Holcim were allowed to close their plant at Westport, and were not required to open a new one. They're allowed to import from Japan or somewhere. Like that makes sense - NOT. Any basic student of microeconmics would know, shipping cement from the other side of the planet when it can come from just down the road is lamebrain. Note, I use the word 'allowed' in this paragraph a lot. That's because cement is a strategic resource and treated that way by sensible countries like the USA and UK. They don't allow any company to just shut down a third of all cement production. They just don't, in the USA or UK any company proposing it would find their assets seized. I'm not kidding.
Why does this cement shut-down impact NZ? Well, it's because the numbers look like this; NZ consumes only about a million tonnes of cement a year. LafargeHolcim has about 2,300 cement facilities producing 280 million tonnes a year. You may notice the size differential (sarcasm). One of their large plants can produce 1-1.3 million tonnes a year, more than all of NZ consumes from all sources whether manufactured locally, imported as clinker and crushed and just imported ready to use.
And this is where it gets really bad. When things are going gang busters, all of this capacity is taken up. That's right, when things recover, NZ will be left swinging in the breeze. And it takes 10 years or so to get another plant up and running properly. What I'm talking about is a potential shut-down of Aotearoa/New Zealand and it's the National party that left NZ so badly exposed.
December 23, 2018
UN Compact on Migration
People have just woken up. They've discovered there's a move to take all their money, here's how:
I remember reading academic papers 13 years ago (count them), that called for the removal of national boundaries when it came to migration. Now this thought process has got to the United Nations stage, and the final step will be each country implementing the ideas within their own legislation.
This is a form of theft. That's right, theft. The idea is to flood the western world with migrants and once they're established in their new countries, they can change the laws at will once they're the majority.
The problem is partly of the West's own making. They didn't make babies. So there is that. But the other part of the equation is to do with the fall of the Iron Curtain and the failure of communism, socialism, anarchism, call it what you will. This failure meant the old game plan wouldn't work, the enemy of capitalism needed a new game and they came up with a twofold approach.
The first was to ditch the colour red, for the colour green. Communists became green overnight, they were instant ecologists. But they are anything but, they are still communists. From the pocket of those who earnt it, to the pockets of those who haven't earnt it but control the distribution of it. Control the resources, the means of production, distribution and exchange and you own everything. It's got nothing to do with freeing the proletariat from the hegemony of the capitalist monster, but everything to do with greed.
The debate around global climate change (GCC) has been hijacked by these wolves in sheep's clothing. These days you hardly hear from a hard scientist on this important topic, instead it's all about the politics of GCC, and how to hobble the west while profiting the favoured few (who seem to always be the Greens - no surprise there).
Then the second approach was to use humanitarian crises to launch invasions and to make this mandated. That's what the UN Compact on Migration is about.
Think about this over Xmas folks, have a nice Saturnalia.
I remember reading academic papers 13 years ago (count them), that called for the removal of national boundaries when it came to migration. Now this thought process has got to the United Nations stage, and the final step will be each country implementing the ideas within their own legislation.
This is a form of theft. That's right, theft. The idea is to flood the western world with migrants and once they're established in their new countries, they can change the laws at will once they're the majority.
The problem is partly of the West's own making. They didn't make babies. So there is that. But the other part of the equation is to do with the fall of the Iron Curtain and the failure of communism, socialism, anarchism, call it what you will. This failure meant the old game plan wouldn't work, the enemy of capitalism needed a new game and they came up with a twofold approach.
The first was to ditch the colour red, for the colour green. Communists became green overnight, they were instant ecologists. But they are anything but, they are still communists. From the pocket of those who earnt it, to the pockets of those who haven't earnt it but control the distribution of it. Control the resources, the means of production, distribution and exchange and you own everything. It's got nothing to do with freeing the proletariat from the hegemony of the capitalist monster, but everything to do with greed.
The debate around global climate change (GCC) has been hijacked by these wolves in sheep's clothing. These days you hardly hear from a hard scientist on this important topic, instead it's all about the politics of GCC, and how to hobble the west while profiting the favoured few (who seem to always be the Greens - no surprise there).
Then the second approach was to use humanitarian crises to launch invasions and to make this mandated. That's what the UN Compact on Migration is about.
Think about this over Xmas folks, have a nice Saturnalia.
December 21, 2018
The Musk Prayer
Read this brilliant Musk prayer following the revelation just announced that Elon Musk has invented the subway. Not the sandwich, the underground people conveyor. All hail Musk. I wonder if he's apologised to Azealia Banks yet, my guess is he hasn't.
Our Musk in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as on mars. Give us today our daily feed. Forgive us our incredulity as we forgive those who still don't believe you. Save us from climate change. For the space,the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Our Musk in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as on mars. Give us today our daily feed. Forgive us our incredulity as we forgive those who still don't believe you. Save us from climate change. For the space,the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
December 19, 2018
Merry Saturnalia
It's December and that time of year again folks.
Saturnalia >>> https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/saturnalia
"Saturnalia celebrations are the source of many of the traditions we now associate with Christmas."
That's right, Christmas is actually Saturnalia. Face it, we don't actually know when Jesus Christ was born.
Giving gifts, feasting, lighting candles, singing of songs, looking after the poor are all Saturnalia. When you wear that crown at the Christmas meal, blow a whistle, tell jokes, that's also Saturnalia. In Rome, within each household a slave would be appointed king for the day, and he would issue orders, the owner waiting on him and the household family would provide food for the other slaves as well. Boxing Day, the day after Christmas may also trace its origins to the latter practise.
Saturnalia >>> https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/saturnalia
"Saturnalia celebrations are the source of many of the traditions we now associate with Christmas."
That's right, Christmas is actually Saturnalia. Face it, we don't actually know when Jesus Christ was born.
Giving gifts, feasting, lighting candles, singing of songs, looking after the poor are all Saturnalia. When you wear that crown at the Christmas meal, blow a whistle, tell jokes, that's also Saturnalia. In Rome, within each household a slave would be appointed king for the day, and he would issue orders, the owner waiting on him and the household family would provide food for the other slaves as well. Boxing Day, the day after Christmas may also trace its origins to the latter practise.
December 18, 2018
David Icke: Wrong But Close
Fans of David Icke's books will know about his various conspiracy theories and his idea that the Moon is a satellite transmitting mind altering transmissions and that Earth has been hijacked by a reptilian species that effectively control everything. No doubt this is very entertaining to read.
He's wrong but he was making good guesses. His idea that the World is heading into an Orwellian future is accurate.
What is the truth? Earth was invaded or colonised 75,000 years ago by people from Hercules. Local Hominins (Homo Erectus) were bred with to create the distinctive species, Homo Sapiens. Over the following years, humans evolved into species almost indistinguishable from Herculeans.
Why did Hercules come to Earth? What is their culture like? Are they coming back and when? All these questions are dealt with in my book, Dana Point.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FP5DLJ1/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i3
He's wrong but he was making good guesses. His idea that the World is heading into an Orwellian future is accurate.
What is the truth? Earth was invaded or colonised 75,000 years ago by people from Hercules. Local Hominins (Homo Erectus) were bred with to create the distinctive species, Homo Sapiens. Over the following years, humans evolved into species almost indistinguishable from Herculeans.
Why did Hercules come to Earth? What is their culture like? Are they coming back and when? All these questions are dealt with in my book, Dana Point.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FP5DLJ1/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i3
Why Quora Will Fail
I've written one or two answers on Quora, and have already blogged about its failings; the questions soon become tiresome and an alternative reality takes over, certain opinions are tolerated while others are not. I'm not even convinced the quality of answers are better than Yahoo Answers.
But that doesn't mean it will fail. Why then do I think it will soon fail? The writers who take time to provide the content have no way of earning anything from the work they do, that's why. Compare this with Amazon; there you write an article and can then sell it on Kindle. Or maybe write several articles and call it a book. Jeff Bezos is onto a winner, he has all this content being provided. Most don't earn that much but they do provide it. Quora on the other hand must run out of puff, why write for no reward when you could be writing and earning on Amazon? See?
But that doesn't mean it will fail. Why then do I think it will soon fail? The writers who take time to provide the content have no way of earning anything from the work they do, that's why. Compare this with Amazon; there you write an article and can then sell it on Kindle. Or maybe write several articles and call it a book. Jeff Bezos is onto a winner, he has all this content being provided. Most don't earn that much but they do provide it. Quora on the other hand must run out of puff, why write for no reward when you could be writing and earning on Amazon? See?
December 17, 2018
Rocket Lab Launch 13 Nasa CubeSats
Rocket Lab has launched another rocket, this time putting 13 Nasa satellites into orbit:
https://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-successfully-launches-nasa-cubesats-to-orbit-on-first-ever-venture-class-launch-services-mission/
We can now safely say that New Zealand has a fully fledged space program.
From Rocket Lab:
"Until now, launch opportunities for small satellites have mostly been limited to rideshare-type arrangements, flying only when space is available on large launch vehicles. This mission, awarded under a Venture Class Launch Services (VCLS) Agreement, marks the first time NASA CubeSats received a dedicated ride to orbit on a commercial launch vehicle."
https://www.rocketlabusa.com/news/updates/rocket-lab-successfully-launches-nasa-cubesats-to-orbit-on-first-ever-venture-class-launch-services-mission/
We can now safely say that New Zealand has a fully fledged space program.
From Rocket Lab:
"Until now, launch opportunities for small satellites have mostly been limited to rideshare-type arrangements, flying only when space is available on large launch vehicles. This mission, awarded under a Venture Class Launch Services (VCLS) Agreement, marks the first time NASA CubeSats received a dedicated ride to orbit on a commercial launch vehicle."
December 10, 2018
December 08, 2018
Bunnings Pointless Exercise
Bunnings Hardware - hardly anywhere. I don't know why I do it to myself, every time I end up at Bunnings I find they haven't got what I'm looking for. Their website will say yes, their shelf says no. I'm not going back, write this outfit off, they're hopeless.
December 07, 2018
NZ: Education Shake-up
Finally, an admission that Tomorrow's Schools was a disaster. That's the way I read the proposed changes to the way schools in New Zealand are organised.
Read about it here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12172927
What is proposed is essentially reinventing the wheel, putting in place the framework that existed before Labour destroyed education in NZ. I note the media are avoiding attaching blame. They're such suck-ups.
However, I'm not convinced scrapping Intermediate schools is a good idea. Many Intermediates do an amazing job. Likewise, year 1 through 8 primary schools already exist and they're often fine too. Where things could go badly wrong is having year 1 through 13 at the one school in urban areas. That's fine in Area Schools in the rural areas but it's misguided to allow it in urban areas. There are some schools already set up like this, we are yet to see if they work. I'm not holding my breath.
It comes down to how these changes are implemented. Given Labour's poor record on Education, I remain doubtful.
Read about it here: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12172927
What is proposed is essentially reinventing the wheel, putting in place the framework that existed before Labour destroyed education in NZ. I note the media are avoiding attaching blame. They're such suck-ups.
However, I'm not convinced scrapping Intermediate schools is a good idea. Many Intermediates do an amazing job. Likewise, year 1 through 8 primary schools already exist and they're often fine too. Where things could go badly wrong is having year 1 through 13 at the one school in urban areas. That's fine in Area Schools in the rural areas but it's misguided to allow it in urban areas. There are some schools already set up like this, we are yet to see if they work. I'm not holding my breath.
It comes down to how these changes are implemented. Given Labour's poor record on Education, I remain doubtful.
Jacinda Ardern and 2019
That was interesting, in just a couple of days since posting my prediction and why I think the New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern will step down to move on, the post has become my number 1 most popular post of 2018. There must be something in this then!
My thinking, in short is that Jacinda Ardern must use the Xmas/New Year period to look for another job. If she misses out then the outlook is all downhill, being propped up by a ragtag bunch of minor parties and an often incompetent Labour party behind her. Who wants a former PM dumped by the electorate on their payroll? Surely it is far wiser to jump before the slide really kicks in. Watch this space.
My thinking, in short is that Jacinda Ardern must use the Xmas/New Year period to look for another job. If she misses out then the outlook is all downhill, being propped up by a ragtag bunch of minor parties and an often incompetent Labour party behind her. Who wants a former PM dumped by the electorate on their payroll? Surely it is far wiser to jump before the slide really kicks in. Watch this space.
December 06, 2018
Prediction for 2019: Jacinda Ardern
Don't be surprised if New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern decides to step down and takes up a UN job. It could happen and becomes highly likely if the Greens, Labour's partner on confidence and supply, start polling below the 5% threshold.
Think of it like this; Ardern has already finished the race in first. It was close but she got there. But she only gets the prize because two very minor parties support her and one of them has now dropped below that critical 5%. If the Greens go the same way, that means come the next election she's looking at being Leader of the Opposition and a former Prime Minister. That doesn't have quite the same cachet now does it. And then her record will be closely examined. Then finally, to have her leadership challenged would be very unbecoming.
So the way I see it, she has to step down and go out on top. To overseas markets she's much more valuable now. The future for her lies in cashing in overseas, if she sticks around in NZ, all that offers is uncertainty and a slide.
Back in 2017 I was the first to predict a Labour victory. Everyone else thought it couldn't happen. After I noticed a wave of people all saying they were voting Labour, and pointed it out, a few commentators and bloggers jumped on board. When the inevitable happened, they all claimed to have been first (surprise surprise). Well, note this prediction and if you use it and I'm right, kindly have the good grace to apply credit where it is due, and that would be me.
Think of it like this; Ardern has already finished the race in first. It was close but she got there. But she only gets the prize because two very minor parties support her and one of them has now dropped below that critical 5%. If the Greens go the same way, that means come the next election she's looking at being Leader of the Opposition and a former Prime Minister. That doesn't have quite the same cachet now does it. And then her record will be closely examined. Then finally, to have her leadership challenged would be very unbecoming.
So the way I see it, she has to step down and go out on top. To overseas markets she's much more valuable now. The future for her lies in cashing in overseas, if she sticks around in NZ, all that offers is uncertainty and a slide.
Back in 2017 I was the first to predict a Labour victory. Everyone else thought it couldn't happen. After I noticed a wave of people all saying they were voting Labour, and pointed it out, a few commentators and bloggers jumped on board. When the inevitable happened, they all claimed to have been first (surprise surprise). Well, note this prediction and if you use it and I'm right, kindly have the good grace to apply credit where it is due, and that would be me.
December 04, 2018
Film Industry: Geoff Murphy
New Zealand film director, Geoff Murphy has died. His most important movie Utu, was set during the frontier days of NZ. His wife, Merata Mita predeceased him, she made NZ's most important documentary, Patu! which was about the 1981 Springbok tour of New Zealand.
Snob's Guide to New Zealand ranks Utu second on its list of important New Zealand films, with Patu! third and the most important documentary.
NZ U-17 Women Win Bronze
The New Zealand U-17 women did very well, finishing with the bronze medal in Montevideo after defeating Canada in the 3rd/4th place play-off, 2-1. The eventual winner of the tournament was Spain, the team that knocked NZ out.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018673906/young-football-ferns-take-bronze-at-fifa-under-17-world-cup
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018673906/young-football-ferns-take-bronze-at-fifa-under-17-world-cup
December 03, 2018
Labour on the Slide
The latest opinion polls have New Zealand's Labour government falling in the polls and their coalition partner has slipped below the 5% threshold. Not only that but the Greens who support the coalition on confidence and supply are right on the threshold.
But here's where it gets interesting: only a few hundred votes stand between Labour and electoral oblivion. If the Greens fall below the 5%, then Labour are no longer government, instead national would be. Watch for signs of desperation as Labour look to move the threshold down.
Time to start getting very nervous Labour, and you deserve to be nervous. These are the reasons:
1. Oil and gas exploration ban,
2. Being held captive by Greens,
3. Giving up the centre ground,
4. Not paying teachers enough,
5. Grandstanding around the world instead of looking after the knitting,
6. Incompetent ministers,
7. Shane Jones Bank.
And that's just for starters.
But here's where it gets interesting: only a few hundred votes stand between Labour and electoral oblivion. If the Greens fall below the 5%, then Labour are no longer government, instead national would be. Watch for signs of desperation as Labour look to move the threshold down.
Time to start getting very nervous Labour, and you deserve to be nervous. These are the reasons:
1. Oil and gas exploration ban,
2. Being held captive by Greens,
3. Giving up the centre ground,
4. Not paying teachers enough,
5. Grandstanding around the world instead of looking after the knitting,
6. Incompetent ministers,
7. Shane Jones Bank.
And that's just for starters.
December 02, 2018
Olympics
I noticed boxing is coming under the spotlight and may be frozen out of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This is no surprise, boxing is rigged. But at least it is possible to win by knocking your opponent out. The same cannot be said for other sports subject to judging. Examples include race walking, diving, snowboarding and gymnastics.
Let's face it, if the contest does not involve transparent scoring, timing or distance measured, forget it as they shouldn't be at the event. This judging behind the scenes has to stop.
Walking would be easy to fix. Instead of issuing warnings, have a sin bin with the walker having to wait in place for a specified time when caught running. Make it 1 minute standing still on the first infraction, then 2, 4, 8 and so on. This way the audience gets to see what is happening and the race may end up being a head to head contest at the finish line.
Let's face it, if the contest does not involve transparent scoring, timing or distance measured, forget it as they shouldn't be at the event. This judging behind the scenes has to stop.
Walking would be easy to fix. Instead of issuing warnings, have a sin bin with the walker having to wait in place for a specified time when caught running. Make it 1 minute standing still on the first infraction, then 2, 4, 8 and so on. This way the audience gets to see what is happening and the race may end up being a head to head contest at the finish line.
December 01, 2018
Quick! Save the Planet: Stuff's Campaign
New Zealand media group, Fairfax are promoting the Quick! Save the Planet series through its newspapers and Stuff.co.nz website. It's meant to awaken concern and inform about climate change, and offer ways to effect change. In so doing, I assume they expect this will result in saving the planet from its imminent demise.
It won't do anything of the sort and campaigns like this are misguided at best, and at worst extremely foolish or even stupid. Okay, I accept they have to sell newspapers, they're largely failing and they'll all have to shut up shop within my lifetime, but the desperate will do anything to survive.
The problem with this campaign is twofold; the first is with the hysterical nature of the title. Any solution is certainly not quick, and the planet doesn't need saving. Most people intuitively know this and so when reading they're likely to skip. Only the converted will read, and so no progress is made at all.
The second problem is more serious and lies at the root. This sort of scaremongering results in polarisation of opinions and climate change extremism. Any not fully on board with the most extreme climate alarmists are instantly labelled 'climate change deniers.' Heretics in other words.
Of course there is no real debate about climate change being real, no-one with half a brain is debating it. What is up for debate is the extent to it and whether the effects are adverse at all. And if they are adverse, how bad exactly and can it be managed? What doesn't help is when someone enters the debate talking practical matters, and they're shouted down and accused of being a 'denier.'
What we are witnessing folks, is the development of a new religion; in my book Snob's Guide to New Zealand, I call the religion Eco. I describe how this new religion functions. It seems Stuff and Fairfax have adopted the faith.
November 30, 2018
CO2 Capture Tackling GCC
This is the sort of thing I've been talking about, engineer solutions to Global Climate Change. Don't listen to the Greens, they want to destroy civilisation, returning us to the Middle Ages and transferring our wealth to others.
Shane Jones Bank
I laughed when the New Zealand ACT party leader David Seymour called the Regional Development fund, Shane Jones Bank. NZ doesn't have a good record with this kind of thing. Money is always diverted and any gains often remain illusory. The latest round of funding for the West Coast of the South island is a drop in the ocean compared to what the West Coast mining sector could generate in earnings on its own, and they wouldn't need government funding at all. But then most of the minerals that the West Coast is rich in, the NZ government is allergic to.
November 29, 2018
Rachel Stewart on TERF's
Rachel Stewart provides some interesting perspectives on the term TERF. One point is that Big Pharma stands to make a fortune out of changing basic biology. I'm not knowledgeable enough on the subject but would suggest this is one to watch, pharmaceutical companies may come into their own down the road.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12166957
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12166957
November 28, 2018
Alternatives to Household Recycling
Thought of this the other day; instead of sending a large truck past every house in the country which then use a mechanical arm to lift half-empty recycling wheelie bins (it's the emptiness of the bins being put out that really kills any scheme like this), why not require all houses to install a home trash compactor? Then have a smaller general waste truck come around and pick everything up in the one pass, and take the load straight to landfill.
This would offer several savings; the first being it takes the large recycling trucks off the road. And the smaller rubbish truck is cheaper to run. That's because the waste stream is an issue of volume not weight. Then when at the transfer station, the waste brought in is already compacted and requires less compacting for final transfer to landfill.
Alternatively, do not send the rubbish truck past each house at all. Set up collection points and accept trash compacted at home first. Each day a very small truck then clears this collection point. This is a kind of surge pile and far more efficient.
What my idea does is save on the amount of energy being used disposing of waste. The flash recycling schemes and their wheelie bins are not energy efficient at all, they're damaging to the environment and expensive for ratepayers.
Now before someone says, 'Hang on, how do you get trash compactors in every home?' What could be done is require all home construction obtaining a building consent, to install a trash compactor as a condition of that consent. This would cover all houses being modified and new house construction. For the rest, take the first year's savings from running the large trucks and subsidise the installation. They'd sit in the garage, and can be free standing, you just plug the thing in at the wall.
This would offer several savings; the first being it takes the large recycling trucks off the road. And the smaller rubbish truck is cheaper to run. That's because the waste stream is an issue of volume not weight. Then when at the transfer station, the waste brought in is already compacted and requires less compacting for final transfer to landfill.
Alternatively, do not send the rubbish truck past each house at all. Set up collection points and accept trash compacted at home first. Each day a very small truck then clears this collection point. This is a kind of surge pile and far more efficient.
What my idea does is save on the amount of energy being used disposing of waste. The flash recycling schemes and their wheelie bins are not energy efficient at all, they're damaging to the environment and expensive for ratepayers.
Now before someone says, 'Hang on, how do you get trash compactors in every home?' What could be done is require all home construction obtaining a building consent, to install a trash compactor as a condition of that consent. This would cover all houses being modified and new house construction. For the rest, take the first year's savings from running the large trucks and subsidise the installation. They'd sit in the garage, and can be free standing, you just plug the thing in at the wall.
November 26, 2018
EV's: Hypocritical Norway
New Zealand is being urged to embrace the example of Norway when it comes to electric vehicles or EV's. Norway has a fast growing EV fleet and it's claimed that's because they tax dirty forms of transport. Maybe they do, I don't care, they have a growing EV fleet, good for them.
But what gets my goat is that the money to live their comfortable lifestyles comes care of North Sea oil revenues. They dirtied the planet and did their part in contributing to Global Climate Change but now they're pontificating worldwide about how great their environmental credentials are. What Norway and their boosters are saying, in effect, is don't do what they did; stay in your mud huts and live off renewables.
It's the new form of European colonialism. Having plundered the planet, everyone else with similar ideas has to stop that immediately and learn to live in the Third World as noble savages. Well I don't buy it and they can shove their ideas.
Here's what should happen to EV's. They should be taxed heavily. Don't tax the liquid fuels transport markets. Why? Surely the user should pay for everything. In this case the user should pay a charge to add to the generation capacity required to power the fleet. EV's were never envisaged when generation capacity was installed in the first place, and so EV users must add to that.
The EV user is also leaving the existing infrastructure which has been invested in for over a hundred years. They leave behind jobs and the capital invested in oil by moving to a parallel electrical infrastructure never planned for their arrival. They need to pay for that as well, call it an exit charge if you like. These two charges would amount to a ban on EV's as the cost would dissuade any potential user. That's as it should be, EV's are a total waste of time apart from the rather obvious example of novelty items like Lime scooters or bicycles.
But what gets my goat is that the money to live their comfortable lifestyles comes care of North Sea oil revenues. They dirtied the planet and did their part in contributing to Global Climate Change but now they're pontificating worldwide about how great their environmental credentials are. What Norway and their boosters are saying, in effect, is don't do what they did; stay in your mud huts and live off renewables.
It's the new form of European colonialism. Having plundered the planet, everyone else with similar ideas has to stop that immediately and learn to live in the Third World as noble savages. Well I don't buy it and they can shove their ideas.
Here's what should happen to EV's. They should be taxed heavily. Don't tax the liquid fuels transport markets. Why? Surely the user should pay for everything. In this case the user should pay a charge to add to the generation capacity required to power the fleet. EV's were never envisaged when generation capacity was installed in the first place, and so EV users must add to that.
The EV user is also leaving the existing infrastructure which has been invested in for over a hundred years. They leave behind jobs and the capital invested in oil by moving to a parallel electrical infrastructure never planned for their arrival. They need to pay for that as well, call it an exit charge if you like. These two charges would amount to a ban on EV's as the cost would dissuade any potential user. That's as it should be, EV's are a total waste of time apart from the rather obvious example of novelty items like Lime scooters or bicycles.
November 25, 2018
NZ Football U-17 Women at Montevideo
New Zealand U-17 Women at the World Cup 2018 in Montevideo have made it through to the semi-finals after defeating Japan 5-4 on penalty kicks. The teams were locked at 1-1 at the end of the match.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLR7f7ftXO4
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLR7f7ftXO4
November 23, 2018
Ariana Grande vs Piers Morgan
A Twitter feud blew up the other day between pop singer Ariana Grande and television presenter Piers Morgan. The row kicked off when Morgan criticised pop all-girl group Little Mix for posing naked, accusing them of using sex to sell records. Grande came to their defence and then all hell broke loose.
I can see Morgan's point. He's saying that idols to young girls should set a better example. Impressionable young minds may think the only way to get ahead is to use sex. And normally I'd agree but I was convinced to check out Ariane Grande and Little Mix videos to see for myself. What I found wasn't so bad.
Yes, they use overt sexual imagery. But the videos always show these women in control, independent and in charge. When they are in a relationship it's on equal terms. What they don't show is women as victim, needing rescuing, or somehow submissive. Piers Morgan has got this one wrong.
Link thingie for more on this: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-46297345
I can see Morgan's point. He's saying that idols to young girls should set a better example. Impressionable young minds may think the only way to get ahead is to use sex. And normally I'd agree but I was convinced to check out Ariane Grande and Little Mix videos to see for myself. What I found wasn't so bad.
Yes, they use overt sexual imagery. But the videos always show these women in control, independent and in charge. When they are in a relationship it's on equal terms. What they don't show is women as victim, needing rescuing, or somehow submissive. Piers Morgan has got this one wrong.
Link thingie for more on this: https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-46297345
November 18, 2018
New Zealand U-17 FIFA Women's World Cup 2018
New Zealand U-17 women's football team have beaten Uruguay at the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup currently being held in Montevideo. They've qualified for the quarter-finals, it's now just a matter of who they play in the knock-out stage. They've done well and remember, the Rio de la Plata is the site if NZ's greatest ever military victory (Battle of the River Plate). The gods must know this as they play their games on its shores.
All Blacks Rebuild
All Blacks 9 - Ireland 16
The All Blacks failed to score a try. They've now lost 2 of the last 3 against Ireland. New Zealand rugby has to be honest about this and face it, by their own high standards the All Blacks are now weak and have to rebuild.
What is going wrong? Three things stand out as far as I can see:
1. Fitness - once one of the fittest teams in world rugby the All Blacks now seem to run out of puff as early as half way through the first half. That's too early, they need to train to go the full 80 minutes. Size has taken over from lean and mean, and size alone doesn't cut it I'm afraid. NZ teams are looking to steamroll their opponents, instead of being elusive and using the ball to beat their opponents.
2. They're selecting teams based on past record and popularity with the management. They need to get back to selecting teams based on current form, and dropping players that are not performing to expectations, including decision-making, yes that includes the captain Kieran Read.
3. Leadership on the field is not there. Things stay the same until the All Blacks ring the changes and replacements come on with a new set of instructions. This was starkly obvious in the latest Ireland game, when it was obvious they needed to keep the ball low at foot. They started doing this and getting somewhere well into the second half when replacements came on, but it should have been their tactic from the beginning. Why at foot and low? It keeps the team going forward, and gains field position. The opposition has to get down to pick up the ball, thus taking longer to return the kick. It keeps the defender turning around to defend as well. Instead the All Blacks were putting in high kicks which Ireland could swiftly return, or the All Blacks would fumble trying to pick up their own kick (in many such cases the ball in this position really needed to be nudged ahead with the foot, putting further pressure on Ireland).
These three factors reflect poorly on management; they're not preparing the players, are being hidebound when they select and they're not making it clear how they expect the team to be led.
Compare the All Blacks with their women counterparts, the Black Ferns. They lost to France admittedly, but in every respect they surpass the men in my three areas of the game. They're fit, they select based on form and they're well led on the field.
The All Blacks failed to score a try. They've now lost 2 of the last 3 against Ireland. New Zealand rugby has to be honest about this and face it, by their own high standards the All Blacks are now weak and have to rebuild.
What is going wrong? Three things stand out as far as I can see:
1. Fitness - once one of the fittest teams in world rugby the All Blacks now seem to run out of puff as early as half way through the first half. That's too early, they need to train to go the full 80 minutes. Size has taken over from lean and mean, and size alone doesn't cut it I'm afraid. NZ teams are looking to steamroll their opponents, instead of being elusive and using the ball to beat their opponents.
2. They're selecting teams based on past record and popularity with the management. They need to get back to selecting teams based on current form, and dropping players that are not performing to expectations, including decision-making, yes that includes the captain Kieran Read.
3. Leadership on the field is not there. Things stay the same until the All Blacks ring the changes and replacements come on with a new set of instructions. This was starkly obvious in the latest Ireland game, when it was obvious they needed to keep the ball low at foot. They started doing this and getting somewhere well into the second half when replacements came on, but it should have been their tactic from the beginning. Why at foot and low? It keeps the team going forward, and gains field position. The opposition has to get down to pick up the ball, thus taking longer to return the kick. It keeps the defender turning around to defend as well. Instead the All Blacks were putting in high kicks which Ireland could swiftly return, or the All Blacks would fumble trying to pick up their own kick (in many such cases the ball in this position really needed to be nudged ahead with the foot, putting further pressure on Ireland).
These three factors reflect poorly on management; they're not preparing the players, are being hidebound when they select and they're not making it clear how they expect the team to be led.
Compare the All Blacks with their women counterparts, the Black Ferns. They lost to France admittedly, but in every respect they surpass the men in my three areas of the game. They're fit, they select based on form and they're well led on the field.
November 15, 2018
Carmelo Anthony Moving On?
The rumour is Carmelo Anthony is going to be waived by the Houston Rockets. It would make sense as he hasn't clicked with the Rockets roster. My pick is he'll head to the Lakers, teaming up with Lebron James. The two get along and Anthony is desperate for an NBA title.
But let's dispel something shall we, Anthony is not that bad a player. After all I've said, I now find myself defending him. Why? It's due to some of the nonsense I hear from analysts that's why. It has been said that Anthony will be waived because he's no good coming off the dribble and can't hit threes. Well boohoo, if that's how the Rockets intend playing no wonder they've not had a title since the mid 1990's. And I'm a Rockets fan!
Anthony is a good shooter and defends capably. What he's not good at doing is sharing. The ball goes to him and he shoots. Often he does this well, particularly when he's one on one against his opponent. But he doesn't have excellent vision and tends to stay put after he receives the ball. I think a combination with James would work well as James can take it to the hoop and get the rotation going, with Anthony able to isolate opponents and score when that rotation stalls or taking it to the hoop doesn't work and the ball needs to be kicked back out.
The Lakers are going to be around come playoffs time, but they need one or two heavy scoring bigs. Carmelo Anthony is one such player.
But let's dispel something shall we, Anthony is not that bad a player. After all I've said, I now find myself defending him. Why? It's due to some of the nonsense I hear from analysts that's why. It has been said that Anthony will be waived because he's no good coming off the dribble and can't hit threes. Well boohoo, if that's how the Rockets intend playing no wonder they've not had a title since the mid 1990's. And I'm a Rockets fan!
Anthony is a good shooter and defends capably. What he's not good at doing is sharing. The ball goes to him and he shoots. Often he does this well, particularly when he's one on one against his opponent. But he doesn't have excellent vision and tends to stay put after he receives the ball. I think a combination with James would work well as James can take it to the hoop and get the rotation going, with Anthony able to isolate opponents and score when that rotation stalls or taking it to the hoop doesn't work and the ball needs to be kicked back out.
The Lakers are going to be around come playoffs time, but they need one or two heavy scoring bigs. Carmelo Anthony is one such player.
Brexit Deal
We're waiting to examine the fine print, but for now this appears to be what has been agreed...
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46188790
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-46188790
November 12, 2018
Rocket Lab First Commercial Payload
Rocket Lab has launched its first commercial payload into space, with plans to soon make it one launch a week.
https://www.space.com/42411-rocket-lab-launches-first-commercial-mission.html
https://www.space.com/42411-rocket-lab-launches-first-commercial-mission.html
November 11, 2018
Gmail Continues to be Rubbish
I'm still looking for a reliable email account. Gmail is still slow, sometimes emails won't load at all. I've tried using different browsers, all with the same or similar result. It's hard to believe Google put out such a flawed upgrade, I've tried different browsers too, all with the same or similar result.
November 09, 2018
Jim Acosta Incident
A journalist by the name of Jim Acosta has had his White House press pass suspended indefinitely for manhandling a White House staff member at a recent Press Conference.
The point at which Acosta touches the young woman can be seen here: https://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/img/mt/2018/11/RTS254S6/lead_720_405.jpg?mod=1541706554
Reviewing the lead up to this incident, it is clear the President had had enough of Acosta's questions, and had gone on to accept other questions from those present. Who does Acosta think he is? He doesn't get to decide when and if he surrenders the mic.
No two ways about it in my view; Acosta must apologise to the woman concerned, then apologise for his conduct to the President and lastly to all those present as well as the TV audience.
The point at which Acosta touches the young woman can be seen here: https://cdn.theatlantic.com/assets/media/img/mt/2018/11/RTS254S6/lead_720_405.jpg?mod=1541706554
Reviewing the lead up to this incident, it is clear the President had had enough of Acosta's questions, and had gone on to accept other questions from those present. Who does Acosta think he is? He doesn't get to decide when and if he surrenders the mic.
No two ways about it in my view; Acosta must apologise to the woman concerned, then apologise for his conduct to the President and lastly to all those present as well as the TV audience.
November 08, 2018
Oil and Gas Exploration Ban
Well New Zealand has gone and shot itself in the foot. The current government has passed into law, a future ban on oil and gas exploration.
Name the parties that did this harm to the Taranaki region and New Zealand as a whole; Labour, NZ First, and Green.
Energy security is very important, NZ is now badly exposed. NZ is not well governed, we had National fiddling the books and moving the deck chairs around on the Titanic, now we have a party called Labour, hating the workers and doing whatever they can to put highly skilled workers out of jobs. NZ First talks regional development but hurts the regions. And finally the Greens, a bunch of former communists pretending to be environmental.
Is there a solution? Avoid voting for either Green or NZ First, they're both minor parties with far too much say. Drive these parties below the 5% threshold and get them out of parliament. Beyond that I don't have an immediate solution as there are no viable alternatives to National and Labour, but they're both utterly incompetent.
Name the parties that did this harm to the Taranaki region and New Zealand as a whole; Labour, NZ First, and Green.
Energy security is very important, NZ is now badly exposed. NZ is not well governed, we had National fiddling the books and moving the deck chairs around on the Titanic, now we have a party called Labour, hating the workers and doing whatever they can to put highly skilled workers out of jobs. NZ First talks regional development but hurts the regions. And finally the Greens, a bunch of former communists pretending to be environmental.
Is there a solution? Avoid voting for either Green or NZ First, they're both minor parties with far too much say. Drive these parties below the 5% threshold and get them out of parliament. Beyond that I don't have an immediate solution as there are no viable alternatives to National and Labour, but they're both utterly incompetent.
November 06, 2018
US Sanctions on Iran
It's not easy to find a simple description of what the sanctions are exactly and what they mean, but I've found the following at Deutsche Welle. It's an earlier article but includes what the latest sanctions are as well.
https://www.dw.com/en/us-reimposes-sanctions-on-iran-what-does-that-mean/a-44967074
I'm not expert in how this sort of thing works, but wouldn't Iran now just move to deal in crypto-currency? That would seem to be a fairly obvious approach.
It is also likely to hand a considerable market to both China and Russia. Not a bright move this then, such sanctions will hurt the average Iranian but are unlikely to work as intended.
https://www.dw.com/en/us-reimposes-sanctions-on-iran-what-does-that-mean/a-44967074
I'm not expert in how this sort of thing works, but wouldn't Iran now just move to deal in crypto-currency? That would seem to be a fairly obvious approach.
It is also likely to hand a considerable market to both China and Russia. Not a bright move this then, such sanctions will hurt the average Iranian but are unlikely to work as intended.
November 05, 2018
New Zealand Cricket Collapse
I rarely comment on Cricket, but come on NZ, all out for 119 runs against Pakistan? Why do people support this useless team?
November 01, 2018
KiwiBuild: Doing Something
A lot of criticism coming Labour's way over Kiwibuild and their allowing people on somewhat higher incomes to qualify for one of the government's affordable homes.
This kind of criticism is quite unfair and forgets New Zealand history. Since the mid 1930's, NZ governments have always built houses to sell or to rent out. This has been done to mix up neighbourhoods so you don't end up with ghettos. On one side of the street State houses for rent, on the other, State houses for sale. It has worked well, NZ has led the world in providing housing for its people.
Those opposed either aren't that clever, or they're greedy. Under the last National government things drifted badly. National didn't do the construction and that lack of supply forced up house prices as the population increased. More people were chasing the same number of houses.
The winners in this scenario were existing home-owners. They did well and many National voters want to continue pocketing those capital gains. But that isn't good for society so they'll just have to suck it up. NZ needs house construction and it needs it yesterday.
This kind of criticism is quite unfair and forgets New Zealand history. Since the mid 1930's, NZ governments have always built houses to sell or to rent out. This has been done to mix up neighbourhoods so you don't end up with ghettos. On one side of the street State houses for rent, on the other, State houses for sale. It has worked well, NZ has led the world in providing housing for its people.
Those opposed either aren't that clever, or they're greedy. Under the last National government things drifted badly. National didn't do the construction and that lack of supply forced up house prices as the population increased. More people were chasing the same number of houses.
The winners in this scenario were existing home-owners. They did well and many National voters want to continue pocketing those capital gains. But that isn't good for society so they'll just have to suck it up. NZ needs house construction and it needs it yesterday.
October 31, 2018
Quora: Is It Any Good?
Simple answer: it's not that good really. Quora is a question and answer site, and performing the same way Yahoo answers does. Not particularly innovative then, so to be successful Quora needed to have quality answers. Things started out well but then it went the way of all question and answer sites; the questions became inane and the answers poor in quality. Facts flew out the window.
I've provided a few answers on Quora but it is obvious which direction the site is headed in so I'll scale down the amount of time I spend there, maybe no time at all.
I've provided a few answers on Quora but it is obvious which direction the site is headed in so I'll scale down the amount of time I spend there, maybe no time at all.
NBA 2018 Season
Early days, but so far my picks have been pretty good: https://kenhorlor.blogspot.com/2018/10/nba-201819.html
My novel Basketball Obsession is still selling, a free Kindle version will be available tomorrow and the next day.
My novel Basketball Obsession is still selling, a free Kindle version will be available tomorrow and the next day.
October 29, 2018
Leicester City Owner
The following article appeared in the Daily Mail UK:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6324847/Vichai-Srivaddhanaprabha-man-allowed-Leicester-dream.html
To Leicester City supporters, like me, he is the man who allowed us dream, to stand at the top of the mountain, and give hope to every other fan of every other club that anything is possible.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-6324847/Vichai-Srivaddhanaprabha-man-allowed-Leicester-dream.html
To Leicester City supporters, like me, he is the man who allowed us dream, to stand at the top of the mountain, and give hope to every other fan of every other club that anything is possible.
October 28, 2018
Snob's Guide to New Zealand - Selling in France
A nice surprise has been the sales of my new book in France. I have mentioned France and Frenchmen a few times in the book and this may have resulted in favourable search results within the Amazon platform. Over the weekend Snob's Guide to New Zealand was higher than Bill Bryson's Downunder, and Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf (the English translation).
The Kindle version can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
Paperback: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
The Kindle version can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
Paperback: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
October 25, 2018
Rubbish Gmail
The revamped Gmail is worse than I thought. Even while using the Google browser Chrome, it is chronically slow, and at times you can't even load an email, compose, or any of that. It is sometimes necessary to load the entire page again. I figure this is to boost the time a user spends in front of advertisements. Gmail is now complete rubbish.
October 24, 2018
Jamal Khashoggi
It is reported that Khashoggi's body has been found. A good argument could be made, surely, for Saudi Arabia to be done away with as a country. Who came up with such a stupid idea in the first place? Clearly this inept bunch need to be replaced. They make an exceptional example of why monarchies with any real power don't work.
Snob's Guide to New Zealand: Second Week Hit #1 New Release
Snob's Guide to New Zealand hit a new landmark, Amazon #1 New Release on Kindle in the second week, mainly due to Kindle Unlimited.
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
Paperback: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
Paperback: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
October 23, 2018
Saudi Arabia and Jamal Khashoggi
It's getting really bizarre now with the Saudi explanations changing by the hour. Clearly they don't know how to run a country. The most stupid story so far was that Khashoggi, an ageing journalist, died in a fist fight inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Have you ever heard anything more ludicrous? It's an insult to everyone's intelligence.
October 22, 2018
NBA 2018/19
The new season is under way and these are my picks:
Surprises
Eastern Conference: Detroit Pistons
Western Conference: New Orleans Pelicans
Disappoints
Eastern Conference: Boston Celtics
Western Conference: Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers
Even Better (than last season)
Eastern Conference: Philadelphia 76ers
Western Conference: Portland Trailblazers
Still No Chance - Ever
Eastern Conference: Orlando Magic
Western Conference: Los Angeles Clippers
Surprises
Eastern Conference: Detroit Pistons
Western Conference: New Orleans Pelicans
Disappoints
Eastern Conference: Boston Celtics
Western Conference: Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers
Even Better (than last season)
Eastern Conference: Philadelphia 76ers
Western Conference: Portland Trailblazers
Still No Chance - Ever
Eastern Conference: Orlando Magic
Western Conference: Los Angeles Clippers
October 21, 2018
Snob's Guide to New Zealand: Selling Well
My latest book, Snob's Guide to New Zealand has started off well, within the first week it has made top 10 in Germany and the USA within the politics category. In Germany it was for the paperback and in the US for the Kindle version.
Not a bad start then. Readers can find the book here:
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
Paperback: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
Not a bad start then. Readers can find the book here:
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
Paperback: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
October 19, 2018
Jamie-Lee Ross Tape
What we learn from Jamie-Lee Ross tape.
1. $100,000 in Botany A/C
2. Younger Zhang in candidates' college
3. 1 Chinese and 1 Filipino vs 2 Chinese or 2 Indian on list
Inference: List seats are for sale
Conclusion: corrupt and flawed MMP system.
Read where this is headed:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
1. $100,000 in Botany A/C
2. Younger Zhang in candidates' college
3. 1 Chinese and 1 Filipino vs 2 Chinese or 2 Indian on list
Inference: List seats are for sale
Conclusion: corrupt and flawed MMP system.
Read where this is headed:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
October 18, 2018
Snob's Guide: MMP Deeply Flawed
New Zealand's Mixed-member Proportional (MMP) electoral system is deeply flawed and Snob's Guide to New Zealand explains how and why.
The chapter, Government and Electoral System explains succinctly and accurately exactly where NZ is headed. It's a must read for anyone interested in the reality of MMP and why it is so inferior to a first-past-the-post system.
How serious is the problem? Very serious and I'm not even slightly exaggerating.
Here is the link to the Paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1727804147
Snob's Guide on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
The chapter, Government and Electoral System explains succinctly and accurately exactly where NZ is headed. It's a must read for anyone interested in the reality of MMP and why it is so inferior to a first-past-the-post system.
How serious is the problem? Very serious and I'm not even slightly exaggerating.
Here is the link to the Paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1727804147
Snob's Guide on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
October 17, 2018
New Gmail is Rubbish
Google have shot themselves in the foot with the new Gmail. I've tried several browsers and they're all the same, Gmail now takes a long time to log in, and once in, each individual email takes even longer to load. It is so bad sometimes I have to reload the whole page and try again.
So, for me at least, this makes gmail dead. I'm looking for a fast and efficient email provider. Yahoo I don't trust since they went cruising through everyone's email contacts (let's face it, it was them doing it, not some 'hackers')
So, for me at least, this makes gmail dead. I'm looking for a fast and efficient email provider. Yahoo I don't trust since they went cruising through everyone's email contacts (let's face it, it was them doing it, not some 'hackers')
October 15, 2018
Teacher Shortage New Zealand
Well it's happened, New Zealand has finally reached the crisis I've been pointing out would arrive sooner rather than later. The solution is not just more pay, though that would help. To address the issue it has to be accepted that everyone is to blame; teachers, school management and the government.
What went wrong? The main problem is with the way teaching is structured; teachers are paid more the less classroom teaching they do. Correct this imbalance and you're halfway there. Then you pay more for teachers who teach and not so much for teachers who manage, and open up management positions to a wider pool of candidates, allowing other management professionals a pathway into those jobs.
And finally, take Teach First NZ across the whole country. Make it possible for suitably qualified individuals to cross into teaching without needing to spend a year at teachers' college.
What went wrong? The main problem is with the way teaching is structured; teachers are paid more the less classroom teaching they do. Correct this imbalance and you're halfway there. Then you pay more for teachers who teach and not so much for teachers who manage, and open up management positions to a wider pool of candidates, allowing other management professionals a pathway into those jobs.
And finally, take Teach First NZ across the whole country. Make it possible for suitably qualified individuals to cross into teaching without needing to spend a year at teachers' college.
October 12, 2018
Snob's Guide to New Zealand
I've written a useful guide to New Zealand, out now in Paperback and on Kindle. This book will need to be read by anyone interested in a move to New Zealand. It reveals how Kiwis think and from a snob's perspective what are the best schools, cities, cool places?
It goes deeper than you find with most guides. What other guides do is gloss over things or they describe only how to do something. They don't contain criticism, or they're too stale. What Snob's Guide to New Zealand does is assume you know how to do things, such as filling in forms. But what you really need to know is; what will you experience and who will you come up against?
But this book isn't just a guide, it will also be valuable for Kiwis too. From this book they can measure where they're at, where they're going, and how to get there. It raises important issues only occasionally addressed in New Zealand.
What are the best schools and universities? Which cities are best? This is a no holds barred type of approach the reader will find invaluable.
Here is the link to the Paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1727804147
Snob's Guide on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
It goes deeper than you find with most guides. What other guides do is gloss over things or they describe only how to do something. They don't contain criticism, or they're too stale. What Snob's Guide to New Zealand does is assume you know how to do things, such as filling in forms. But what you really need to know is; what will you experience and who will you come up against?
But this book isn't just a guide, it will also be valuable for Kiwis too. From this book they can measure where they're at, where they're going, and how to get there. It raises important issues only occasionally addressed in New Zealand.
What are the best schools and universities? Which cities are best? This is a no holds barred type of approach the reader will find invaluable.
Here is the link to the Paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1727804147
Snob's Guide on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J9XRCWK
Snob's Guide to New Zealand is indispensable to anyone looking at a move Downunder, or for the locals who want to know how to get ahead in their own country.
Universities
“There is a strict pecking order…Dispense with all international rankings as they’re meaningless.”
Energy
“…the Tesla owner and the ordinary guy in his Nissan Leaf are at war with poor people.”
New Zealand Wars
“The history of these conflicts is one where Maori won all the battles but lost the wars.”
New Zealand Government Overhaul
New Zealand is a country with 4.7 million people. It is grossly over-governed; get this, at today's count there are 71 Ministerial portfolios, plus another 28 Associate Ministers, and 3 Parliamentary Under Secretaries.
Then under that comes regional government and city councils. It's all enough to make your brain go numb.
Then under that comes regional government and city councils. It's all enough to make your brain go numb.
October 10, 2018
Christchurch, NZ: 100 Years Since End of First World War
Found the crosses laid out in Christchurch's Cranmer Square today. There is one cross for every soldier from Canterbury in New Zealand, who fell during The Great War, 1914-18.
If of the Jewish faith there is a Star of David instead of a cross.
If of the Jewish faith there is a Star of David instead of a cross.
October 09, 2018
IPCC Drivel
Why do we have to put up with this IPCC nonsense? Who in their right mind believes for one second that Global Climate Change can be reversed?
The solutions as described have the following effects; they hobble the western world and they amount to re-colonisation of the developing world. Just as they're about to enjoy prosperity, Africa and SE Asia are told to stay in their huts and suck it up. It's unworkable.
The solutions as described have the following effects; they hobble the western world and they amount to re-colonisation of the developing world. Just as they're about to enjoy prosperity, Africa and SE Asia are told to stay in their huts and suck it up. It's unworkable.
MMP Reforms
How about the following as an idea for how to reform MMP in New Zealand.
Have a second round runoff between the two top parties if one of them fails to get over 50% of the vote at the first attempt. The winner in the second round would be awarded additional seats to ensure they could govern alone.
In this scenario, the minor parties still get seats in parliament but they're not able to make unreasonable demands of their much larger political rivals.
Have a second round runoff between the two top parties if one of them fails to get over 50% of the vote at the first attempt. The winner in the second round would be awarded additional seats to ensure they could govern alone.
In this scenario, the minor parties still get seats in parliament but they're not able to make unreasonable demands of their much larger political rivals.
October 07, 2018
Banksy
So Banksy has pulled a stunt with his shredding of a painting of the girl with a balloon at a Sotheby's auction. All vendors with items following his in the auction should sue him. That's because he adversely affected their potential sale prices. He's also possibly committed a criminal offence. Hmm?
October 06, 2018
Elon Musk Days After SEC Settlement
Is Musk feeling all right? Maybe he needs to take a lie down.
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/04/elon-musk-sec-twitter
Let's be clear, is Musk implying the SEC is working with short sellers?
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/oct/04/elon-musk-sec-twitter
Let's be clear, is Musk implying the SEC is working with short sellers?
October 02, 2018
Christchurch Air Day 2018
Over the weekend we visited the United States Antarctic Program open day at Christchurch airport. The following are some of the photos taken of one of the USAF C17 Globemaster's from McChord Air Force Base.
We were impressed by the professionalism of the crew. They all seemed so well spoken!
We were impressed by the professionalism of the crew. They all seemed so well spoken!
September 30, 2018
SEC Settlement with Musk
In the settlement with Elon Musk, the SEC has arranged some adult supervision for the now former chairman of Tesla. Good.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/sec-settlement-forces-tesla-to-find-elon-musk-some-adult-supervision-2018-09-29
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/sec-settlement-forces-tesla-to-find-elon-musk-some-adult-supervision-2018-09-29
September 28, 2018
SEC Goes After Elon Musk
Great news, the SEC is going after Elon Musk
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/09/27/sec-charges-elon-musk-tesla-over-tweets-take-company-private/1447172002/
As readers of my blog will have observed, I think Musk is something of a joke. I wouldn't trust him with a fountain pen, let alone a large company.
See also;
https://kenhorlor.blogspot.com/2018/08/azealia-banks-busts-elon-musk.html
https://kenhorlor.blogspot.com/2017/11/elon-musks-electric-truck.html
https://kenhorlor.blogspot.com/2016/01/tesla-cars-bad-customer-service.html
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/09/27/sec-charges-elon-musk-tesla-over-tweets-take-company-private/1447172002/
As readers of my blog will have observed, I think Musk is something of a joke. I wouldn't trust him with a fountain pen, let alone a large company.
See also;
https://kenhorlor.blogspot.com/2018/08/azealia-banks-busts-elon-musk.html
https://kenhorlor.blogspot.com/2017/11/elon-musks-electric-truck.html
https://kenhorlor.blogspot.com/2016/01/tesla-cars-bad-customer-service.html
September 25, 2018
Labour's Oil and Gas Decision Very Naive
We are now seeing New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern's major weakness. She's good at media stuff, smiling and looking pleasant but when it gets hard and the issues are deep, she can't handle it. All she thinks about is whether the decision will be popular or not. How do I know this is how she thinks? She's got a team on Twitter constantly saying exactly that. Banning oil and gas exploration will be seen as widely popular they say. There is no evidence for this thinking mind you, but that's obviously how she thinks.
Thing is, we're talking real-world stuff here. This is playing for keeps, decisions have consequences. And with some decisions it doesn't matter whether they're popular or not, they just have to be taken.
A hard decision would be to embrace the oil and gas exploration industry and I'll tell you why: it has to do with sovereign risk. Since the Second World War, NZ has begged oil companies and their investors to come to NZ. Note I say begged. The world is a big place and these investors could go anywhere, but a few listened and they turned up. They'll now be regretting they did.
When that money departs, it will never return. Investors have memories and they won't forgive easily. In future they'll say thanks but no thanks. That is if they even answer the call. And don't think this rebuff will be limited to just oil and gas. There will be spillover into other sectors as well.
When the next financial crisis hits, NZ will be left swinging in the breeze. It is that serious, I find it hard to believe Labour would be that naive. Even if Labour reverse their decision, harm has already been done. The question also needs to be asked, why did Winston Peters and NZ First form a coalition with such fools? Was it so personal with National that Peters was prepared to sacrifice the whole economy? It seems so.
Thing is, we're talking real-world stuff here. This is playing for keeps, decisions have consequences. And with some decisions it doesn't matter whether they're popular or not, they just have to be taken.
A hard decision would be to embrace the oil and gas exploration industry and I'll tell you why: it has to do with sovereign risk. Since the Second World War, NZ has begged oil companies and their investors to come to NZ. Note I say begged. The world is a big place and these investors could go anywhere, but a few listened and they turned up. They'll now be regretting they did.
When that money departs, it will never return. Investors have memories and they won't forgive easily. In future they'll say thanks but no thanks. That is if they even answer the call. And don't think this rebuff will be limited to just oil and gas. There will be spillover into other sectors as well.
When the next financial crisis hits, NZ will be left swinging in the breeze. It is that serious, I find it hard to believe Labour would be that naive. Even if Labour reverse their decision, harm has already been done. The question also needs to be asked, why did Winston Peters and NZ First form a coalition with such fools? Was it so personal with National that Peters was prepared to sacrifice the whole economy? It seems so.
September 23, 2018
Portfolio Performance
The following portfolio provides ample evidence of the robustness of my investment approach. Sadly, I don't think many have checked it out. Why do people chase rainbows and the latest bitcoin nonsense yet ignore solid stocks like these?
Check out the portfolio here...https://www.siliconinvestor.com/portfolio.aspx?fid=521
Companies included in this portfolio:
American Railcar
Caterpillar
Emerson Electric
Federal Signal
Oshkosh Truck
Paccar
Freightcar America
Trinity Industries and note the Arcosa spin-off distribution to stock holders https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180515006540/en/Trinity-Industries-Introduces-Spin-off-Company-Arcosa-Announces and check this analysis which sounds balanced https://seekingalpha.com/article/4180716-trinity-industries-inc-spin-entity-look-overly-promising
Check out the portfolio here...https://www.siliconinvestor.com/portfolio.aspx?fid=521
Companies included in this portfolio:
American Railcar
Caterpillar
Emerson Electric
Federal Signal
Oshkosh Truck
Paccar
Freightcar America
Trinity Industries and note the Arcosa spin-off distribution to stock holders https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180515006540/en/Trinity-Industries-Introduces-Spin-off-Company-Arcosa-Announces and check this analysis which sounds balanced https://seekingalpha.com/article/4180716-trinity-industries-inc-spin-entity-look-overly-promising
September 21, 2018
NZ National Party and the Housing Crisis
What a scandal, it turns out I was right and the New Zealand National party really do hate poor people. According to the Salvation Army, National were actively trying to destroy the public's faith in state housing.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/dodgy-meth-tests-an-excuse-to-ridicule-state-housing-tenants.html
Compensation has been promised to those affected, the amount sounds derisory if you ask me...
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/107225424/housing-nz-to-compensate-800-tenants-over-bogus-meth-testing
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/dodgy-meth-tests-an-excuse-to-ridicule-state-housing-tenants.html
Compensation has been promised to those affected, the amount sounds derisory if you ask me...
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/107225424/housing-nz-to-compensate-800-tenants-over-bogus-meth-testing
September 14, 2018
Harvey Weinstein
I've just seen the video of Harvey Weinstein with one of his accusers. Yeah, he's being very creepy.
September 13, 2018
Queen Sugar
I've just started watching the second season of Queen Sugar. I like the show but I have two critical observations. The first is that the whole idea seems very similar to the Australian drama McLeod's Daughters.
McLeod's Daughters started as a TV movie in 1996. It was about two half-sisters inheriting their father's farm in outback Australia. They decide to keep it and run the place themselves. It became a television series in 2001. Doesn't this sound like Queen Sugar? In that show two daughters along with a brother (who is never able to do anything right), decide to take on their father's sugar cane farm after he suddenly dies. That's kind of the same framework isn't it?
The second criticism is the kind of farming decisions they make. It's not at all like farming. Now I guess the farm is just the backdrop but they could at least make an attempt. In the first episode of season 2, Ralph Angel is wrestling with his tractor and gets a lesson in depreciation from his well-heeled sister. Suitably put down, Ralph Angel sulks some more. Except neither are right. That's right, you would not go and shell out for a flash tractor for only 800 acres. Likewise you don't go throwing money down a hole on some old worn-out wreck.
What they'd do is set about finding a bargain, how many hours a week would the tractor do and what kind of tractor is best suited, with the hours in it to at least get through two seasons. Then go and find that tractor, scouring the state and neighbouring states as well. Never going to auctions as you'll only find junk there, only dealing with dealers of sound reputation, or buy privately from those who can produce the maintenance receipts. Do the oil checks, engine, transmission etc., then buy at the right price. Their father brought them up on a farm, right? Why do they not know how to buy the right kind of tractor?
Anyway I'm still watching it, even though they have it on near midnight. It's probably all this tractor stuff they get wrong explains why so late. I'm in New Zealand and we take tractors seriously.
McLeod's Daughters started as a TV movie in 1996. It was about two half-sisters inheriting their father's farm in outback Australia. They decide to keep it and run the place themselves. It became a television series in 2001. Doesn't this sound like Queen Sugar? In that show two daughters along with a brother (who is never able to do anything right), decide to take on their father's sugar cane farm after he suddenly dies. That's kind of the same framework isn't it?
The second criticism is the kind of farming decisions they make. It's not at all like farming. Now I guess the farm is just the backdrop but they could at least make an attempt. In the first episode of season 2, Ralph Angel is wrestling with his tractor and gets a lesson in depreciation from his well-heeled sister. Suitably put down, Ralph Angel sulks some more. Except neither are right. That's right, you would not go and shell out for a flash tractor for only 800 acres. Likewise you don't go throwing money down a hole on some old worn-out wreck.
What they'd do is set about finding a bargain, how many hours a week would the tractor do and what kind of tractor is best suited, with the hours in it to at least get through two seasons. Then go and find that tractor, scouring the state and neighbouring states as well. Never going to auctions as you'll only find junk there, only dealing with dealers of sound reputation, or buy privately from those who can produce the maintenance receipts. Do the oil checks, engine, transmission etc., then buy at the right price. Their father brought them up on a farm, right? Why do they not know how to buy the right kind of tractor?
Anyway I'm still watching it, even though they have it on near midnight. It's probably all this tractor stuff they get wrong explains why so late. I'm in New Zealand and we take tractors seriously.
September 12, 2018
Serena Williams Meltdown
Spare a thought for Naomi Osaka. Who is Naomi Osaka? The 2018 winner of the US Open tennis tournament. She beat Serena Williams in the final quite easily.
All you hear about is how Williams lost. And she lost badly by being outplayed and then throwing a hissy-fit of monumental proportions. I guess she's desperate to equal Margaret Court's record. To do that she'll have to wait until next year and the Australian Open at the earliest.
Williams only has herself to blame. She's a top professional, she must know all the umpires and how they officiate. A player of her stature must be able to adjust to whoever is in the umpires chair. She couldn't, what she expected was for the umpire to bend to her will. She scolded him, finger pointing, then questioned his honesty. The umpire acted very professionally, playing it straight down the middle. A good case could be made for Williams losing by default, that's how bad her tantrum was.
Now we're subjected to Williams hogging the headlines about how she's fighting for equality, the rights of women, you name it. It is very unbecoming and very unsportsmanlike. Now you can see why I avoid anything to do with Serena Williams. I try not to watch but seeing as Osaka had done so well, I just had to catch the highlights, and then no surprise from Williams. I wasn't even forewarned about what to expect and when the tantrum started I could only feel for Osaka having to stand there stranded while Williams tried to influence the match by causing a disruption.
Bigger picture; the game at the highest level has to be wrestled back off the elite players. They're starting to think they call the shots. One option would be to restructure the way tournaments are played. Currently tournaments really want the stars to advance. Anyone who loses is out, and thus the organisers don't like early exits. So a premium is placed on this top talent. Change the way things are done and neuter these top players. Got any ideas?
All you hear about is how Williams lost. And she lost badly by being outplayed and then throwing a hissy-fit of monumental proportions. I guess she's desperate to equal Margaret Court's record. To do that she'll have to wait until next year and the Australian Open at the earliest.
Williams only has herself to blame. She's a top professional, she must know all the umpires and how they officiate. A player of her stature must be able to adjust to whoever is in the umpires chair. She couldn't, what she expected was for the umpire to bend to her will. She scolded him, finger pointing, then questioned his honesty. The umpire acted very professionally, playing it straight down the middle. A good case could be made for Williams losing by default, that's how bad her tantrum was.
Now we're subjected to Williams hogging the headlines about how she's fighting for equality, the rights of women, you name it. It is very unbecoming and very unsportsmanlike. Now you can see why I avoid anything to do with Serena Williams. I try not to watch but seeing as Osaka had done so well, I just had to catch the highlights, and then no surprise from Williams. I wasn't even forewarned about what to expect and when the tantrum started I could only feel for Osaka having to stand there stranded while Williams tried to influence the match by causing a disruption.
Bigger picture; the game at the highest level has to be wrestled back off the elite players. They're starting to think they call the shots. One option would be to restructure the way tournaments are played. Currently tournaments really want the stars to advance. Anyone who loses is out, and thus the organisers don't like early exits. So a premium is placed on this top talent. Change the way things are done and neuter these top players. Got any ideas?
September 09, 2018
Slavery: Roman Empire
Something I feel is often overlooked about the institution of slavery during the Roman Empire, is that it worked as a social filter. More recent slavery failed as it worked the opposite way, keeping people in slavery generation after generation.
What do I mean by social filter? The institution funnelled people from the outside, into becoming civilised. Now I'm grossly exaggerating of course, see a Wikipedia article below for a more detailed description. However I think my generalisation still holds.
I use an example, the instance is Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars. When a region is conquered he takes a certain number as slaves. Wholesalers followed the army and they would take the slaves and sell them. This would have had two effects, the first being the conquered get to rid themselves of their troublemakers and underclass (that's because they had a say in who got enslaved). It also kept everyone left that wasn't enslaved behaving nicely.
Then the slaves once taken supported the Roman economy by conducting mostly menial tasks (though some were highly skilled and others were treated brutally in the mines, they are the exception not the rule) and they then had the chance to become free and a Roman citizen of low rank. This wasn't just a rare occurrence, laws had to be passed stopping the rapid freeing of slaves, it became so commonplace. And slaves were generally looked after with laws evolving to protect them from mistreatment. Some were expelled from Rome for being too dangerous, but most led productive lives after being freed, including those expelled.
The social filter remained effective for longer than the period of enslavement as freed slaves were connected to their former owners who became the freed slaves patron. They had obligations to one another. And critically, the children of freed slaves became Roman citizens without restriction.
For a good intro to Roman slavery see the following Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_ancient_Rome
And a plug for my novel Dana Point, which has the Herculean society biochemically ranked. Status is determined by blood test at birth but individuals can rise by achievement. If they commit a crime they're busted back to the rank they were born with. It's the way I see a fully advanced Roman society evolving if it was allowed to.
September 08, 2018
Azealia Banks Right - Elon Musk
Maybe all those people who dump on Azealia Banks owe her an apology. A few weeks ago she reported seeing Elon Musk taking drugs. Well, even though this latest episode isn't illegal, here we have Musk smoking marijuana. Now the status of SpaceX in relation to Air Force contracts is under investigation:
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/07/air-force-is-looking-into-elon-musks-pot-smoking-source.html
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/07/air-force-is-looking-into-elon-musks-pot-smoking-source.html
September 05, 2018
Space Station Leak
I feel like I have the ability to see into the future. My novel Dana Point has a space craft which springs a leak. It was due to human error or equipment wear. The leak is pretty much the same as being reported on board the space station.
https://www.space.com/41712-space-station-leak-human-error-russia-says.html
This is real science. For those who watch movies and wonder about the realism when they see the action; when the thing in space starts leaking, it doesn't result in catastrophic failure. It is more like a sinking boat than anything else.
https://www.space.com/41712-space-station-leak-human-error-russia-says.html
This is real science. For those who watch movies and wonder about the realism when they see the action; when the thing in space starts leaking, it doesn't result in catastrophic failure. It is more like a sinking boat than anything else.
September 02, 2018
New Name for New Zealand
Let's face it, New Zealand as a name is quite lame. How about a new name? What are your suggestions?
Aotearoa - which means land of the long white cloud
Hercules - may favourite this one, Hercules was known for his strength and adventures.
Aotearoa - which means land of the long white cloud
Hercules - may favourite this one, Hercules was known for his strength and adventures.
September 01, 2018
Roman Stuff: Did Romans Reach New Zealand?
Interesting to ponder, with all their technology and know-how, did the Romans ever get as far as New Zealand?
Surely, it's possible. I explain it like this; Romans traded with the east. There were a number of trade routes, some over land, others using the Persian Gulf. But one much lesser known route was from Egypt, down the Red Sea, across the Arabian Sea, around the Indian coastline, across the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, then to the Mekong River, and then up the Mekong to the trading point. Maybe trade along the way too, you know? The Romans would pick up silk and drop off pottery and other utilitarian items.
Fine, but how has that got anything to do with NZ? Well, the winds blow west to east. The journey out is quite fast, with the wind always at your back. But what if a storm blew up and lasted for days? It could mean being blown off course, and out to the Indian Ocean, eventually bumping into Australia. With the winds the way they are, it is hard to work your way up the west coast of Australia, so any ship would bump along the bottom of southern Australia, eventually arriving at Tasmania. Then across the Tasman Sea and bumping into the west coast of New Zealand.
Knowing they had to work their way north, the Roman vessel would work its way up the west coast, possibly stopping to pick up wood (to repair the ship with) and water (to stay alive, lots of water available). Then free of the NZ coast line, they'd slowly find their way to the SE Asian islands and find the Mekong. Or they'd expire looking, who knows.
The point being, I've just outlined Abel Tasman's journey, except he began in SE Asia and went around, but the part where he bumped along Australia is very real, it's just how it works. The wind being the wind and all that.
And if the Romans could have done this, what about Persians, Egyptians, Portuguese and Spanish? Why is the only explanation that Polynesians arrived at a certain time, followed by the Dutch, English and French. I may be overreaching but how exactly did the Kumara get to NZ seeing as that's South America?
The answer will be, there is no evidence for my hypothesis. Fine, that'd be right. But still, conjecture is fun too and most discovery is made by a fair bit of dreaming and let's give it a kick in the guts to see if it works.
Surely, it's possible. I explain it like this; Romans traded with the east. There were a number of trade routes, some over land, others using the Persian Gulf. But one much lesser known route was from Egypt, down the Red Sea, across the Arabian Sea, around the Indian coastline, across the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman Sea, then to the Mekong River, and then up the Mekong to the trading point. Maybe trade along the way too, you know? The Romans would pick up silk and drop off pottery and other utilitarian items.
Fine, but how has that got anything to do with NZ? Well, the winds blow west to east. The journey out is quite fast, with the wind always at your back. But what if a storm blew up and lasted for days? It could mean being blown off course, and out to the Indian Ocean, eventually bumping into Australia. With the winds the way they are, it is hard to work your way up the west coast of Australia, so any ship would bump along the bottom of southern Australia, eventually arriving at Tasmania. Then across the Tasman Sea and bumping into the west coast of New Zealand.
Knowing they had to work their way north, the Roman vessel would work its way up the west coast, possibly stopping to pick up wood (to repair the ship with) and water (to stay alive, lots of water available). Then free of the NZ coast line, they'd slowly find their way to the SE Asian islands and find the Mekong. Or they'd expire looking, who knows.
The point being, I've just outlined Abel Tasman's journey, except he began in SE Asia and went around, but the part where he bumped along Australia is very real, it's just how it works. The wind being the wind and all that.
And if the Romans could have done this, what about Persians, Egyptians, Portuguese and Spanish? Why is the only explanation that Polynesians arrived at a certain time, followed by the Dutch, English and French. I may be overreaching but how exactly did the Kumara get to NZ seeing as that's South America?
The answer will be, there is no evidence for my hypothesis. Fine, that'd be right. But still, conjecture is fun too and most discovery is made by a fair bit of dreaming and let's give it a kick in the guts to see if it works.
August 31, 2018
Snob's Guide
I have one guest contributor to my guide to New Zealand. If anyone else out there is up for it, send me an email from the contact form. I'm looking for Kiwi snob's prepared to vent on everything.
The contributor is Lucinda of Remuera.
Snob's Guide is now available in paperback or on Kindle:
Paperback: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
Kindle: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J9XRCWK
The contributor is Lucinda of Remuera.
Snob's Guide is now available in paperback or on Kindle:
Paperback: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
Kindle: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J9XRCWK
Horse Racing Industry
The New Zealand horse racing industry is in crisis. That's the view of a new report just out. The problem is though, if a lot of these race courses are to close down, that'll gut small towns who rely on the work these places create, whether that be on the track, buildings or horses themselves. For a lot of towns, the local track is the reason the town exists at all. I don't have all the answers, but maybe they could look at other uses for these tracks, not just use them for horses. Once they're gone, that's it, gone forever and many towns will also fade.
Labour Announce Transport Spend
Labour are a funny bunch, they've today announced a major spend on transport safety improvements, most of it going into roads. That's good, that means employment. But this follows much anti business stuff from Labour, the worst example being their no new oil and gas exploration permits. Labour really has to stop this schizophrenia and get back the middle ground it is currently giving up to National. Labour just can't resist being Nanny state. Create jobs, by backing mining, manufacturing, and development. Don't get hijacked by the left of the party trying to shut down progress.
Labour Should Attack the Greens
Doing research for my latest Snob's Guide book, I have learned something about Labour that I'd forgotten. They're the biggest victim of MMP. First they were gutted by the Alliance. They got over that but then came the Greens on their own and they've also impacted. Since NZ introduced MMP, the highest percentage of the vote Labour received is 41.26% in 2002. The highest National received is 47.31% in 2011.
Labour has been slowly eroding. This explains their current position, being the only party at the polls in 2017 to receive a large swing to it, yet still having to kowtow to the Greens. Labour should attack the Greens, to reclaim the ground to their political left, and to put them on an even footing with National. If they don't do this, they will be condemned to forever putting together threesomes, and that doesn't work as easily as twosomes. Just saying.
Snob's Guide to New Zealand is now a book, available from Amazon in paperback or kindle
Paperback: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
Kindle: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J9XRCWK
Snob's Guide to New Zealand is now a book, available from Amazon in paperback or kindle
Paperback: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147
Kindle: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J9XRCWK
August 29, 2018
Chelsea Manning
Finally, New Zealand's National Party has got its teeth into an issue that could gather it some votes. They're opposing allowing Chelsea Manning to visit NZ. She's a convicted criminal and is booked to speak, and presumably she's getting paid. Labour should ban her from visiting as they should other criminals profiting from their crimes. Will they? We'll wait and see.
August 27, 2018
How much more electricity do we need to go to 100% electric vehicles?
Ever wondered? Here's the answer. Please be seated when reading this as the news may knock you over. Electric vehicles are a nonsense.
http://euanmearns.com/how-much-more-electricity-do-we-need-to-go-to-100-electric-vehicles/
http://euanmearns.com/how-much-more-electricity-do-we-need-to-go-to-100-electric-vehicles/
August 25, 2018
MMP to Deliver Tyranny in New Zealand
That's right, following on from why Mixed-member Proportional (MMP) representation is not working and the problem of the tail wagging the dog, I should mention the obvious flaw with MMP as it relates to New Zealand. The problem is it will eventually lead to an effective dictatorship.
Okay, sobering thought I know, but here's how it will happen. Over time a plethora of divided interests will develop. That's because any party that manages to get 5% of the party vote gets influence far beyond its level of support without even winning an electorate seat. The incentive is to split and go after a smaller share with more power attached. The system is designed to deliver this outcome. It wasn't done intentionally but them's the breaks. Stupidity has no bounds.
First Past the Post (FPP) differs in that it works the opposite way to MMP. FPP starts out with many and varied parties, but over time that boils down to straight head-to-head contests. In NZ that became National against Labour from 1936 after creation of the National party.
The trend with MMP has seen clustering of interest groups since inception in the mid 1990's. Examples are the Alliance with Labour, and ACT party with National. In time the Alliance dwindled after starting to fall apart, while ACT lost steam. The Maori party rose and fell, the same with United Future, leaving only NZ First and the Greens as minor players.
Superficially it appears we are back where things started. Minority governments still occur frequently, and the two parties that dominated FPP from 1936, still dominate under MMP. For now that would be correct, it seems little has changed but it is a mistake to think like that as the landscape has changed. If you're walking around on Mars it may look like the Moon but it isn't. Get the idea?
This is where it gets difficult. FPP started out as a collection of disparate interests in NZ and became a political duopoly over time. The opposite will happen with MMP, it has started out as a near political duopoly, then will split apart into numerous smaller elements. The final coup de gras will be accidental. By chance one party will manage to get over the 5% threshold and win all the list seats while the rest of the parties will fail to meet the threshold and gain no seats, their votes wasted, or they will have electorate seats only. Note - when this happens. I'm not even suggested an if, as it is a virtual certainty to happen, just when exactly I don't know.
When this happens the successful party will have 75% of the seats in parliament so long as they have about a third of the electorate seats as well. That means they can replace entrenched legislation, and entrench new laws. They can do things like remove the head of state. They could change the electoral cycle to 99 years, and entrench it. Do you see?
The reason this can happen is because NZ has a unicameral legislature. There is no senate. Therefore no safeguards. NZ has a deeply flawed electoral system and lacks the guts to be honest about it. Every election the country throws the dice. Eventually it's going to deliver a monstrously unjust scenario and all anyone can do is pray the dictator is benevolent.
[ Just a note: think about Coke. Does Coca-Cola just sell Coke? How does Coca-Cola get to number 1? They do so by selling all kinds of drinks, to different preferences. That's how MMP will play out in NZ over time. But it could end up with just one player holding the keys to the castle; except it'll be for all the marbles, not just shelf space in a supermarket. NZ has blundered badly and may lose its country as a result. It's that serious.]
Okay, sobering thought I know, but here's how it will happen. Over time a plethora of divided interests will develop. That's because any party that manages to get 5% of the party vote gets influence far beyond its level of support without even winning an electorate seat. The incentive is to split and go after a smaller share with more power attached. The system is designed to deliver this outcome. It wasn't done intentionally but them's the breaks. Stupidity has no bounds.
First Past the Post (FPP) differs in that it works the opposite way to MMP. FPP starts out with many and varied parties, but over time that boils down to straight head-to-head contests. In NZ that became National against Labour from 1936 after creation of the National party.
The trend with MMP has seen clustering of interest groups since inception in the mid 1990's. Examples are the Alliance with Labour, and ACT party with National. In time the Alliance dwindled after starting to fall apart, while ACT lost steam. The Maori party rose and fell, the same with United Future, leaving only NZ First and the Greens as minor players.
Superficially it appears we are back where things started. Minority governments still occur frequently, and the two parties that dominated FPP from 1936, still dominate under MMP. For now that would be correct, it seems little has changed but it is a mistake to think like that as the landscape has changed. If you're walking around on Mars it may look like the Moon but it isn't. Get the idea?
This is where it gets difficult. FPP started out as a collection of disparate interests in NZ and became a political duopoly over time. The opposite will happen with MMP, it has started out as a near political duopoly, then will split apart into numerous smaller elements. The final coup de gras will be accidental. By chance one party will manage to get over the 5% threshold and win all the list seats while the rest of the parties will fail to meet the threshold and gain no seats, their votes wasted, or they will have electorate seats only. Note - when this happens. I'm not even suggested an if, as it is a virtual certainty to happen, just when exactly I don't know.
When this happens the successful party will have 75% of the seats in parliament so long as they have about a third of the electorate seats as well. That means they can replace entrenched legislation, and entrench new laws. They can do things like remove the head of state. They could change the electoral cycle to 99 years, and entrench it. Do you see?
The reason this can happen is because NZ has a unicameral legislature. There is no senate. Therefore no safeguards. NZ has a deeply flawed electoral system and lacks the guts to be honest about it. Every election the country throws the dice. Eventually it's going to deliver a monstrously unjust scenario and all anyone can do is pray the dictator is benevolent.
[ Just a note: think about Coke. Does Coca-Cola just sell Coke? How does Coca-Cola get to number 1? They do so by selling all kinds of drinks, to different preferences. That's how MMP will play out in NZ over time. But it could end up with just one player holding the keys to the castle; except it'll be for all the marbles, not just shelf space in a supermarket. NZ has blundered badly and may lose its country as a result. It's that serious.]
August 23, 2018
Why MMP is not Working
I've been reminded of a classic example of why MMP does not work for New Zealand. The best example right now is the Labour/NZ First coalition government stopping future offshore oil and gas exploration just to keep the Greens happy. Why is this an issue? The Greens are not even in government, they refused that responsibility but still received ministerial portfolios in return for their support.
I have never before seen Labour decide to throw away workers jobs. High paid unionised workers at that as well. It's a slap in the face for all Etu union members, who will now have to pick up the tab through higher union dues now the high paid oil workers will be forced to leave the country. It's insane.
The numbers tell the story. The Greens received about 6% support at the 2017 general election. 88.5% votes that counted went the other way and you can bet your bottom dollar they didn't vote to dump oil and gas. It's a classic tail wagging the dog situation. Look, okay, Greens get jobs for themselves and that's great, but the way I see 6% is they get to decide how many trash bins are sited along the Milford track. They should not be allowed to dictate the economic fortunes of the second largest industry in Taranaki.
August 22, 2018
ARM Cement
Something I learnt from Twitter; ARM Cement has gone into administration. They're Kenya's second largest cement producer, and have operations in Tanzania and Rwanda as well, on top of minority holdings in South Africa.
August 20, 2018
Dana Point - Sci-Fi from Ken Horlor
Just a reminder my latest novel is available for purchase in both Kindle and Paperback form. It's a Sci-Fi with humor, real science, and adventure. I've had positive feedback from readers, which is always nice. Check it out:
https://www.amazon.com/Dana-Point-Ken-Horlor-ebook/dp/B07FP5DLJ1/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1532159193&sr=1-3
https://www.amazon.com/Dana-Point-Ken-Horlor-ebook/dp/B07FP5DLJ1/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1532159193&sr=1-3
August 17, 2018
Ben Stokes
I've been following the saga surrounding England cricketer Ben Stokes. Now he's been found not guilty of affray, by a jury no less, then why is the matter still being pursued? I heard the England coach talking about Stokes giving a public apology. Why? All that happened was a bit of biff outside a nightclub. Then the coach added something about he'll have to pull his weight (Stokes that is). What? Just let the guy get on with things. It's easy to see why England lose all the time.
Houston Rockets Sign Carmelo
The basketball gods must be torturing me. My team the Rockets have signed the most overrated player in the NBA; Carmelo Anthony. They were looking a good chance to win the Western Conference, but now? I can barely watch, it's going to be torture. I just hope Carmelo has turned over a new leaf.
August 15, 2018
Teachers Strike
Today, New Zealand primary school teachers are on strike. I've noticed they want more money, and they deserve that, but I see repeated often is they're snowed under with paperwork. How can extra pay make that go away? It can't right? So how about just doing away with a lot of the bureaucracy and let the teachers get on with their jobs. It'd mean better teaching and hence better educated children. Yay.
August 14, 2018
Azealia Banks Busts Elon Musk
Hah, so there you have it. According to Azealia Banks, Elon Musk doesn't have the funding to go private. She knows this as she's been in his house waiting to do work with Grimes, and couldn't help but overhear Musk scrambling to recover from his tweet on the subject.
Check this out: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/azealia-banks-claims-to-be-at-elon-musks-house-as-he-sought-investors-2018-8?r=US&IR=T
This should trigger an investigation into Musk's business affairs and the reason behind his tweet.
Check this out: https://www.businessinsider.com.au/azealia-banks-claims-to-be-at-elon-musks-house-as-he-sought-investors-2018-8?r=US&IR=T
This should trigger an investigation into Musk's business affairs and the reason behind his tweet.
August 10, 2018
Labour Hit the Slippery Slope
It didn't take long, NZ Labour couldn't resist, they're becoming Nanny State already. I'm talking about their plan to ban single use plastic bags in less than a year from now. I remember when they were last in government and their move to ban light bulbs. That lead to them losing in 2018; so they've decided to try and lose in as little as three years this time. The National Party will be all over this like white on rice.
We've gone full circle. I grew up never seeing a plastic bag, everything was in paper. Personally I'll make do, the ban will barely affect me. But why give the Opposition ammunition so early into Labour/NZ First's term? Labour, you really are dumb at times you know.
We've gone full circle. I grew up never seeing a plastic bag, everything was in paper. Personally I'll make do, the ban will barely affect me. But why give the Opposition ammunition so early into Labour/NZ First's term? Labour, you really are dumb at times you know.
August 08, 2018
New Zealand Guide Book
I've started writing my guide book for people considering moving to live in New Zealand. It is not intended to be a detailed resource with all the forms to fill in and wotnot, but a guide to how the locals think and how to negotiate your way through NZ society.
I am the main author, and I have one other contributor to side bars with the book. If anyone else wants to submit material then I'm happy to discuss your inclusion and the type of material being sought. You'll get credit for the work but no payment.
You must have intimate knowledge of NZ to qualify, hold strong opinions and be able to write about them. I'd prefer it if the material is funny. I'm looking for humorous and thoughtful rants. There is probably only room for another two contributors at most so be in early. The work will published before the end of the year.
Contact me from the contact form on this site.
I am the main author, and I have one other contributor to side bars with the book. If anyone else wants to submit material then I'm happy to discuss your inclusion and the type of material being sought. You'll get credit for the work but no payment.
You must have intimate knowledge of NZ to qualify, hold strong opinions and be able to write about them. I'd prefer it if the material is funny. I'm looking for humorous and thoughtful rants. There is probably only room for another two contributors at most so be in early. The work will published before the end of the year.
Contact me from the contact form on this site.
August 03, 2018
Spartacus and other Roman Stuff
As a form of light relief I'm going to start talking about ancient Rome from time to time. I read a lot of rubbish about Rome and at times wonder why no-one questions the conventional wisdom. Hence my current rant about Spartacus.
No doubt you've all seen the movie. If you haven't there is a good chance you've seen the TV series. Spartacus is generally depicted as a noble freedom fighter, a man of principle fighting injustice, inequality and all things terrible imposed by the dastardly Romans. Right, lose that idea as no such thing is true.
Spartacus was possibly a Thracian gladiator who likely had some military training as a Roman auxiliary or some such. How he came to be a gladiator is unknown, he may have volunteered as this was not uncommon, or he'd fallen foul of the law. By the time of the Third Servile War he was a Murmillo, a heavyweight gladiator with face covering helmet, shield and gladius.
That's about all that can be said of him with any certainty. He does not appear to have been political. So who was Spartacus and what was he about? I maintain that it is pretty obvious he was a criminal. He did not like his surroundings and left, overthrowing the guards at the gladiator school and along with his fellow conspirators, seizing useful weapons along the way.
Instead of leaving and turning left to return to Thrace, and travelling by night and using the moon and stars to navigate with, he turned right and headed farther down the peninsula. Somehow we are expected to believe that Spartacus is some tactical genius, then why this fundamental mistake? He was bound to get trapped. Right?
He was bound to get trapped and he knew it. This, after all, was about loot and getting away, not about freedom. After a suitable period plundering the landscape and going up against a half-hearted Roman response, things came to a head. Rome had tired of these antics and decided to put a stop to Spartacus once and for all.
This is where it gets interesting and forms the key part of my argument. He duped his stupid followers and slipped away, leaving them in the lurch. That's the truth behind the story of the fleet of pirate vessels that were supposed to save them. Spartacus is meant to have paid them but they betrayed him by failing to turn up. Okay, think about that, how the hell are a ragtag band of 70,000 going to fit into a few pirate vessels?
I've got a better idea. How about there was only ever one pirate vessel, that Spartacus spun his followers a line then promptly did a runner on that one waiting vessel. The force that he had once commanded promptly collapsed and 6,000 of their number were crucified. The body of Spartacus was never found. Work it out people, why is this so obvious but never pointed out?
That leads me to examine the historical context. At the time the Romans needed a bogeyman, a nice scary story to tell people. This reminded everyone of the importance of Rome. Then in the modern era the Soviet Union used Spartacus as a propaganda tool with ballets like Spartacus and the fine music by Khachaturian (The Onedin Line TV series theme). Hollywood jumped onto the bandwagon and it all just gained a life of its own, devoid of any truth.
Spartacus was a criminal who gained a bit of loot and got away scot free. Maybe he died later when Pompey cleaned the seas of pirates.
No doubt you've all seen the movie. If you haven't there is a good chance you've seen the TV series. Spartacus is generally depicted as a noble freedom fighter, a man of principle fighting injustice, inequality and all things terrible imposed by the dastardly Romans. Right, lose that idea as no such thing is true.
Spartacus was possibly a Thracian gladiator who likely had some military training as a Roman auxiliary or some such. How he came to be a gladiator is unknown, he may have volunteered as this was not uncommon, or he'd fallen foul of the law. By the time of the Third Servile War he was a Murmillo, a heavyweight gladiator with face covering helmet, shield and gladius.
That's about all that can be said of him with any certainty. He does not appear to have been political. So who was Spartacus and what was he about? I maintain that it is pretty obvious he was a criminal. He did not like his surroundings and left, overthrowing the guards at the gladiator school and along with his fellow conspirators, seizing useful weapons along the way.
Instead of leaving and turning left to return to Thrace, and travelling by night and using the moon and stars to navigate with, he turned right and headed farther down the peninsula. Somehow we are expected to believe that Spartacus is some tactical genius, then why this fundamental mistake? He was bound to get trapped. Right?
He was bound to get trapped and he knew it. This, after all, was about loot and getting away, not about freedom. After a suitable period plundering the landscape and going up against a half-hearted Roman response, things came to a head. Rome had tired of these antics and decided to put a stop to Spartacus once and for all.
This is where it gets interesting and forms the key part of my argument. He duped his stupid followers and slipped away, leaving them in the lurch. That's the truth behind the story of the fleet of pirate vessels that were supposed to save them. Spartacus is meant to have paid them but they betrayed him by failing to turn up. Okay, think about that, how the hell are a ragtag band of 70,000 going to fit into a few pirate vessels?
I've got a better idea. How about there was only ever one pirate vessel, that Spartacus spun his followers a line then promptly did a runner on that one waiting vessel. The force that he had once commanded promptly collapsed and 6,000 of their number were crucified. The body of Spartacus was never found. Work it out people, why is this so obvious but never pointed out?
That leads me to examine the historical context. At the time the Romans needed a bogeyman, a nice scary story to tell people. This reminded everyone of the importance of Rome. Then in the modern era the Soviet Union used Spartacus as a propaganda tool with ballets like Spartacus and the fine music by Khachaturian (The Onedin Line TV series theme). Hollywood jumped onto the bandwagon and it all just gained a life of its own, devoid of any truth.
Spartacus was a criminal who gained a bit of loot and got away scot free. Maybe he died later when Pompey cleaned the seas of pirates.