Follow The Petition

This is amusing, there is petition now live within the UK Parliament, calling for a General Election. UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer has upset the people, the man is a complete fool. After a short time, the number of people signing the petition has gone over 1.8 million:

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/700143?s=08

I would like there to be another General Election.

I believe the current Labour Government have gone back on the promises they laid out in the lead up to the last election.

Update: now at 2.7 million, what a hoot.

All Blacks Become Political

Following the recent Rugby test between New Zealand and Italy, members of the All Blacks posed with a flag representing many Maori groups. Thing is, this flag is not official and groups with a political agenda often use it. 

Is it appropriate for a national team, representing all New Zealanders, to fly the flag of interest groups promoting a political agenda, while at the same time ignoring the actual flag of the country they represent? 

Personally, I think why not, so long as they're not being paid a penny by the NZ taxpayer. Well, turns out NZ Rugby gets a lot of money out of the taxpayers pocket, so how about we cut that funding off - completely. Make money the honest way, NZ Rugby, then try lecturing everyone about the politics you support.

Pam Bondi

Donald Trump's new pick for US Attorney General may have been his original choice all along. She's a loyalist and Florida based. My thinking is Matt Gaetz may have been a sacrifice bunt; Ms Bondi has all the qualifications and she's a Trump loyalist. Who could turn down a woman for the role?

https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5005023-trump-appoints-bondi-doj/

I like how the above link tries to impugn Ms Bondi's reputation, she must have the right stuff, Washington DC has reason to be afraid I'm guessing.

Tulsi Gabbard Russian Asset?

 If Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian asset, then how come she's still in the US Army?

Trump Picks Dr Oz

Donald Trump really is hiring people with an axe to grind. We may see change - here's hoping:

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/11/19/nx-s1-5196969/dr-oz-trump-cms

"Dr. Oz will work closely with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to take on the illness industrial complex, and all the horrible chronic diseases left in its wake," Trump said in the announcement.

Surprised? Not Really

 C'mon, it is now obvious, even to complete believers in all things Gummint.

Political Spectrum Shifts

 Hmmm...

Hollywood Crisis

Good riddance is all I can say; Hollywood has had its day:

https://www.the-numbers.com/market/

Biden and Russo-Ukraine War

Biden has authorised the use of US long-range missiles inside Russia. Is this an attempt to leave the incoming Trump administration a hospital pass? The Biden administration appear prepared to risk WWIII just to undermine Trump - incredible and also appalling.

Trump's Win and American Society

 Interesting perspective...

Grading New Zealand Infrastructure

Mississippi has reported its grades, and below I grade New Zealand too. NZ needs to do this regularly:

https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2024/11/14/mississippis-infrastructure-gets-report-card/76290540007/

Mississippi:

The individual rankings:

• B: Rail
• B-: Ports
• C+: Solid Waste
• C: Aviation
• C: Energy
• D+: Bridges
• D+: Dams
• D: Inland Waterways
• D: Levees
• D-: Drinking Water
• D-: Roads
• D-: Wastewater

New Zealand:

The individual rankings:

• D: Rail
• B: Ports
• C+: Solid Waste
• C+: Aviation
• C+: Energy
• C-: Bridges
• B: Dams
• D: Inland Waterways
• D: Levees
• C+: Drinking Water
• C-: Roads
• C: Wastewater

RFK Jr Announced as Head of Dept., of Health and Human Services

Oh good, RFK Jr is going after Anthony Fauci. Start firing people. Mainstream media is going into meltdown...brilliant.

Democratic Party Imploded

James K Galbraith makes a cogent argument for why the Democratic party lost the US elections so badly. The only thing he misses is the question around how, in 2020, Joe Biden received more votes than Kamala Harris in 2024, while campaigning from his basement. 2020 was a fix, clearly, it isn't really open to debate any longer. But his saying the Democratic Party would prefer to be a permanent opposition party, rather than allow its left-wing to have a say, sounds accurate. Oh, and can we just send the Clintons and Obamas out to grass?

https://www.jordantimes.com/opinion/james-k-galbraith/democrats-committed-suicide-year

The 2024 election was, therefore, a suicide. The Democratic leadership was, at best, indifferent to the erosion of voting access, negligent in retaining 2020’s new voters, and proactive in ensuring the abstention of what little remains of its “left” wing. It tried to cover this up, as usual, with celebrity endorsements and identity politics. As usual, it did not work.

Matt Gaetz, Lawfare and the Big Get Even?

Looking at the Donald Trump appointments being announced each day, I'm not seeing a consistent pattern, apart from all those Trump is appointing having an axe to grind with Washington DC, and they're likely to go after all those they perceive as 'the enemy.'

Democrats Turn On Obama

The forever entitled and preachy Barack and Michelle Obama seriously hurt the Kamala Harris campaign, and Democratic voters seem to have figured that out.

The Obamas support the Obamas. They're not interested in the working class, or the middle class for that matter, and as time passes they become ever more cut off from mainstream opinion. Basically, they need to retire. Barack Obama, in particular has started sounding different when he talks down to black Americans. He changes his accent somewhat and throws y'all and folks around like he's from Alabama or something. It's cringeworthy stuff, but he appears unaware of what he sounds like.

Barack Obama has had a good ride, but his schtick has become stale. He's a divider, not a uniter.

The REAL Reason Trump Won?

Days before the vote, Democrats and Republicans poured resources into the Muslim areas of the swing states. At the end of the day, Muslims voted Trump; they didn't trust Harris. I mentioned in an earlier blog post, that Harris had done nothing to end the conflict in Gaza but there she was on the campaign trail, saying that 'if' she's elected, she'll do all she can to stop it. Well, why would anyone think that, seeing as she's the sitting Vice President who had done diddly up to that point.

I haven't seen the numbers, but Trump did win Michigan with its large Muslim population. Maybe they know that Trump is less likely to allow war to get in the way of his golf game. 

Why Trump Won

Former Australian politician, John Anderson talks to Victor Davis Hanson about all those factors that lead to Donald Trump's landslide victory:

Looking at Moving to New Zealand?

Many Americans appear depressed now that Donald Trump has been elected President for a second term. Internet searches related to New Zealand have increased. Before making the move there are a few things to consider, and many such things are addressed in my book: Snob's Guide to New Zealand

Get your copy today: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1727804147

Trump's Quiet Support

The US Presidential election outcome shows that polling inflated Kamala Harris and badly represented support for Donald Trump. Was this intentional? I think this is likely, the polling companies were biased and wanted Kamala Harris to win. Then, there are the quiet Trump voters, people who wait and vote for Trump but who won't tell anyone about it.

Here's 270 to win's electoral college map:

https://www.270towin.com

No Toss Ups 2024

With the US Presidential election final results looming, here's the RealClearPolitics 'No Toss Ups' Electoral College map. I wonder if this will be accurate? The map is drawn from the cumulative polling for each candidate.

The map shows Trump/Vance in red with 287 votes, and Harris/Walz in blue with 251 votes. 270 Votes are needed to win the White House:

No Toss Ups 2024 RealClearPolitics