Scratching the itch

New Years Honours for new members of The Order of Back Scratchers

Margaret Wilson
Steve Maharey
Paul Swain
Clem Simich

Selfless individuals poking a stick in your eye as a parting gesture.

Mark Prebble
Brian Corban

Others who have been 'rewarded' for their jobs. As is normal practice for these lists, I am sure there are many more detracting from those truly involved in community and country.

One can only be thankful that the list of back scratchers does not yet contain Clark or Cullen.

All at sea

Here in NZ we have just witnessed another total waste of SAR services. Some suggest it was a lucky outcome in the aptly named 'Wait N Sea'. I have other thoughts on that aspect.

A couple of adults and teenagers in a possibly $60K runabout could not afford a compass or alternatively a GPS unit. And did not take note of long forecast dire weather.

Bet the cellphone used to send the near useless texts cost more than one of those units.

The rescue highlighted the importance of boaties carrying reliable communications equipment, such as marine VHF radios, emergency beacons and flares.

And as for the Air Farce Orion crew, I bet they won't be winning the Fincastle Trophy anytime soon.

What an absolute waste of resource. A self induced disaster waiting for a time and place.

These pricks should be billed for the full cost. Confiscating and selling the boat might be a start to recouping costs. What's the going hourly rate for an Orion?


Update:

Oswald suggests a similar outcome.

Cunliffe: Still trying to run the show

there should be a mini-Budget in the new year and Labour was prepared to take a bipartisan approach to work on it

Would that be in the same vein of bipartisanship that was previously offered by Liarbour on matters economic?

Maybe Cunners should note that his side is no longer 'running the show'.

New Year 2009: Three, two, one, one

WHEN Big Ben strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, revellers in Trafalgar Square will notice nothing unusual. Keen-eared listeners to the speaking clock, however, will hear an extra pip - the sign of a rare "leap second".

The last minute of 2008 will have 61 seconds to correct a slight anomaly between atomic clocks and astronomical time based on the Earth's rotation, so that the proper new year's countdown will end: "three, two, one, one."

A piece of useless info for those of you partying up large to welcome in Liarbour's Decade of Deficits.

Two faces of China

In a not unexpected move, the tiger has reverted to type post-Olympics and is reported to be again censoring websites.

Seems that if you support the 'other' China, Taiwan as an independent state, mention the Falun Gong occasionally and look to meet the Dalai Lama on equal footing as other heads of state, you will too be censored.

I look forward to the sudden rise in traffic, having mentioned all three bad words in this post. Blog was probably buggered anyway for the free Tibet stand I took through the recent waste of money that was the Olympics.

Nice to see our new PM willing to openly talk to the Dalai Lama on his forthcoming visit. And Orklund City Council tossers, what damage could a band do to a Christmas Parade?

Terrorists in our midst

Police should only be investigating groups that present "a real or credible risk to the safety and security of communities"

Does the description not aptly fit the would be train wreckers and chook liberating nutjob activists and terrorists that infest such groups?

I think so.

ps

since I got vaguely competent at writing posts

Delusional meme from the Liarbour mouthpiece on the matter.

Hire-at-will bill passed

At last we join the rest of the world.

Any of the following will summarise.

• Diddums!
• Guess who's running the show?
• Take that, you lost!
• Liarbour fiddles while the economy burns.

Compulsory Maori flip-flop on the Liarbour agenda

And just how much would such a move cost this country? Tangible benefits in this modern world outside of NZ?

called for Maori to be a compulsory language for all pupils till the age of 14. "This is one small step we could take to build a more harmonious society."

Such a socially engineered 'harmonious society' might exist somewhere in the mind of his speech-writer.

The new MP would do well to note that he lives in a once first-world English speaking country, not some third-world backwater some affectionately know as the Land of the Long White Cloud.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard will not adopt an NZEI remit to make Maori language compulsory in schools.

"While I support the ideal of Maori language being available to all school children, I do not support compulsory Maori language in schools.

And also to note that his bully boy cohort, a Minister of Education in days of yore, long ago stated his opposition.

We are still a long way off a system where we are providing quality resources, and quality teachers where there is a high demand.

Ain't that the truth. After the debacles of NCEA, this is just another flip-flop on Liarbour's part.

Dingos chasing their own s59

Using tree-hugger Bradford's anti-smacking laws as a fine example of legislation, dingos on the other side of the ditch want something similar.

Smacking of children by parents is currently legal under the common law, as long as reasonable force is used and the sole intention is to correct behaviour.

As it was in NZ and should still be. Haven't they heard of the upcoming referendum on that matter and the fact that 85% were dead set against that change?

This time it is one of their academics pushing for change. Again suggesting Mr Plod should be the arbitrator with a wishy-washy law.

I would expect that police will not take action unless there is not real harm done

Now remind me how many kids are on the wall of shame since that loony law was passed.

I expect Oz parents will tell Krudd where to smack this suggestion.

New tax rates

Annual taxable income	Cumulative weekly savings							TOTAL ANNUAL SAVINGS FROM 1 APRIL 2011
	1-Apr-09		1-Apr-10		1-Apr-11
	Tax cut	with IETC	Tax cut	with IETC	Tax cut	with IETC		Tax cut	with IETC
$ 15,000	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.19		0.19	10
$ 20,000	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	1.15		1.15	60
$ 25,000	0.00	10.00	0.00	15.00	2.12		17.12	110	890
$ 30,000	0.00	10.00	0.00	15.00	3.08		18.08	160	940
$ 35,000	0.00	10.00	0.00	15.00	4.04		19.04	210	990
$ 40,000	0.00	10.00	0.00	15.00	5.00		20.00	260	1040
$ 45,000	11.54	19.04	11.54	24.04	17.50		30.00	910	1560
$ 50,000	18.46	18.46	23.08	23.08	30.00		30.00	1560
$ 55,000	18.46	18.46	23.08	23.08	30.00		30.00	1560
$ 60,000	18.46	18.46	23.08	23.08	30.00		30.00	1560
$ 65,000	18.46	18.46	23.08	23.08	30.00		30.00	1560
$ 70,000	18.46	18.46	23.08	23.08	30.00		30.00	1560
$ 75,000	19.42	19.42	25.00	25.00	31.92		31.92	1660
$ 80,000	20.38	20.38	26.92	26.92	33.85		33.85	1760
$ 85,000	21.35	21.35	28.85	28.85	35.77		35.77	1860
$ 90,000	22.31	22.31	30.77	30.77	37.69		37.69	1960
$ 95,000	23.27	23.27	32.69	32.69	39.62		39.62	2060
$ 100,000	24.23	24.23	34.62	34.62	41.54		41.54	2160

"It took nine years before Labour relented to cut personal taxes at their last opportunity. It has taken the National-led government a week," Mr English said.

from The Beehive

Getting on with business

Things are happening in the bearpit.

KiwiSlaver changes - passed.

Tax changes - passed.

Hercepton a happening thing.

Great stuff. A cracking pace. Getting on with business in hand. Action by the hour.

This rubbish from the Opposition about low income people being attacked...if they're hard up it's because Labour ignored them for years

Where is the opposition? Do we have one? The filibustering rabble over the last couple of days is piss weak.

And judging by the positive directions exuding from the Beehive in all directions from those with the reins, these unionised bludgers might do well to take any current offer. For if they hang out too long, the offer fairy might just pack up. After all, unions are now not in a position of strength with head prefect fearless Phil in opposition.

Lax border security due to computers

No not the border security computers at LAX. Right here in NZ.

These challenges come at a time when our immigration ICT systems are at risk of failure and do not appropriately support decision making or manage risk or security issues.

Customs is looking for a computer upgrade. I wonder how much that will cost? Another INCIS coming to rape my wallet? Another unfunded bear-trap for the new government?

Apparently currently Customs can't do simple Google searches to look up known terrorists. So that's how the Algerian got in!

A "matter of urgency"...

The messiah and his willing accomplice discussing how to tackle those 'climate deniers amongst us'.

Economic meltdown?

All three of us are in agreement that the time for delay is over, the time for denial is over...

This is a matter of urgency and of national security and it has to be dealt with in a serious way.

With these two in cahoots, heading up the posse, the world economies are beyond stuffed.

New global economy terms

What do you say to a merchant banker who knocks on your door?
How much do I owe you for the pizza

BULL MARKET—A random market movement causing an investor to mistake himself for a financial genius.

BEAR MARKET—A 6 to 18 month period when the kids get no allowance, the wife gets no jewelry, and the husband gets no sex.

VALUE INVESTING—The art of buying low and selling lower.

P/E RATIO—The percentage of investors wetting their pants as the market keeps crashing.

BROKER—What my broker has made me.

STANDARD & POOR—Your life in a nutshell.

STOCK ANALYST—Idiot who just downgraded your stock.

STOCK SPLIT—When your ex-wife and her lawyer split your assets equally between themselves.

FINANCIAL PLANNER—A guy whose phone has been disconnected.

MARKET CORRECTION—The day after you buy stocks.

CASH FLOW-- The movement your money makes as it disappears down the toilet.

YAHOO—What you yell after selling it to some poor sucker for $240 per share.

WINDOWS—What you jump out of when you’re the sucker who bought Yahoo @ $240 per share.

INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR—Past year investor who’s now locked up in a nuthouse.

PROFIT—An archaic word no longer in use.

What’s the definition of optimism?
An Investment Banker ironing five shirts on a Sunday evening.

What is the difference between a pigeon and a merchant banker?
A pigeon can still put a deposit on a Ferrari.

What can you buy on eBay for $1.
An Icelandic bank but they’ll get you on the shipping costs.

Have a fun day.

True cost of KiwiSlaver exposed

The costs of KiwiSlaver are now being exposed for all to see as more and more people invest in these fly by night funds that have taken a beating in returns of late.

No $40 subsidy for member fees. The true cost to members is yet to be fully exposed when the honeymoon period ends and failing funds need to cover their actual expenses.

No tax credit to employers. Employers will now wear the full cost of providing that compulsory super. Doesn't look so good being a tax collection agent, does it?

No tax credit to members. Again, the odds for a great return are somewhat diminished.

Aah, it is so good to see the investment playing field levelled. Not quite far enough though.

The thing that still gets up my nose is why employers have to fund this super over and above the member's current gross. If I want to join a private super fund, why should I expect my employer to increase my gross pay? There should be no difference for those in KiwiSlaver.

The page at http://www.whaleoilblog.com says:

The Google Maps API key used on this web site was registered for a different web site. You can generate a new key for this web site at http://code.google.com/apis/maps/.

Every time I go to lurk at WOBH I get this info dialog box. Why? has been happening for about 2x months in Firefox.

'only had a piece of cake'

That's the bloody problem.

It is never only just a piece of cake is it? And a damned expensive piece of cake wasn't it? $35K to get 15 tickets to a do which a council should not be supporting. No probs you say. It isn't your money that you are wastefully expending. it was a commercial venture that should have stood on its own two feet.

Why were the 6,500 children not charged say $6 each to cover this expense? Then we would have really seen how many were interested in bending it Beckham.

The sooner Rodders gets his teeth into Orklund councils and their rampant budgets the better for all ratepayers. This type of spending and contra back scratching is exactly why he is needed.

'Arrogant and undemocratic'

That would be the same terms used to describe your EFA and the s59 laws, Mr Filk Off?

Neat, eh, when you are on the receiving end. Long overdue, the 90 day probation law.

Go for the throat John Boy and show them who's now boss. Helen's puppet caretaker across the benches will only be there a short time.

Dirty little secret in the 'burbs

By day, Tony and Anne Walker's home is just another respectable brick home.

By night, the lounge/dining and outdoor entertaining areas are turned into dungeons, gallows and pillories. Women are whipped. Men are dominated. Fantasies come alive.

For years the Club Hardcore Haven house parties have been South Turramurra's "dirty little secret", where hosts Tony and Anne "Angel" administer "pain and pleasure in equal measure".

Some local prude obviously not on the regular invite list has complained to the local council.

Might I suggest PSB would be at home in Chisholm Street should he ever cross the ditch for the hols.

Driving a stake through mediocritry

Knowing that underground cables and pipes usually litter road and rail corridors, just how does one miss a 12 inch diameter gas pipe during the preliminary survey? The area was surveyed, right?

And then attempt to drive a pile through it???

What's the betting no-one is responsible. It is probably only the local council performing at world class best.

Bob's Whau Portal for Westies

Continuing his isolationist moves the eco-dinosaur Mare Bob wants to waste more ratepayer money building his visions for Westies.

Waitakere City Council will investigate developing a Chinatown precinct for New Lynn which could include erecting large ornamental gates.

Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey outlined to councillors in October a proposal to redevelop part of Totara Ave as a precinct reflective of traditional and modern China.

One wonders why this travesty was mooted in October, but only reported in December. Didn't want any more bad news for his Liarbour mates around election time?

None less than portal gates at great expense for New Lynn. Seems the feral locals might need locking in at night.

Maybe it is for those who would pass through the gates as they cross the Whau creek eastwards into the Shangri-La that is Greater JafaLand. Yes, Bob has an ultimate vision to keep all Westies local to work, play and live out west and never integrate with the rest of Orklund.

Mark my words, his Whau Portal is just the start.

Climate change defined

science, n. the rigorous method or industry of gaining knowledge or funding.

A new entry for The Devil's Dictionary...

Back on deck: McAfee Antivirus crap

Ever since I got this Dell laptop with Vista and McAfee antivirus installed I have nothing but questionable loading times for web pages as I surf the Net. Like the Herald front page taking up to 3 minutes, Stuff up to 5 minutes at times on dial up. Disconnections reign supreme. Any errors are very noticeable when you on dial up.

No issues like this on older XP laptop with AVG on it. In the last week, MySQL has become almost unusable and after chasing down the errors on Google, I found that McAfee is the cause. Seems the 'Real Time Protection' is far too aggressive and causes all sorts of time outs. Must have had a recent auto update that changed aggressive to feral.

Have dropped McAfee back to 'Programs only' protection and what a difference! Webpages load far quicker and positively instead of hanging and timing out. MySQl is usable again. Also have dropped auto update - now do it manually when I go to make a coffee, not every time the bloody machine connects to the Net.

Now hopefully this has cured the Internet slowness of late and I can now blog more frequently. I wonder will my PCMCIA Vodafone adapter might now stay online for more usable periods in the wireless world on non-3G GPRS?

Will be watching closely and trying different things. McAfee is currently rated as crap by me and changing to AVG looks like soon to happen here.