Backscratching of the highest order

Sir Bob Charles?

Yes, one I do agree with. Well deserved. Always an understated ambassador for New Zealand.

Alison Holst and Michael Hill?

A well-earned result for their efforts.

As for the rest of the dross. One only has to look closely at this years list and see there has been a fair bit of backscratching going on.

for services to local body affairs
for services as a member of Parliament
for services as a judge
for services to business
for services to education
for services as chief executive

It reads like all the recently unelected Mayors have had their backs scratched (by Chief Executives looking for a nod next year?) . Along with Winnie Laban, deserting sinking ship MP, for doing her job. In fact all for doing their jobs. At least one can be thankfull this time it is not a list of the Liarbour damned.

What a mockery of the awards system. Should be only for actual services to New Zealand and community, not for timeservers doing their overpaid jobs. Or for party hacks.

And the one that takes the cake this year is...

for services as a funeral director

Exactly what does a stiff merchant do to get on the list?

More time needed for ink to dry on birth certificate?

President Barack Obama is extending his vacation in Hawaii by a day

Extra time required to look for that birth certificate?

Obama will leave Hawaii, where he grew up, late on Monday evening

Even the media gets a dig in, failing to mention he was born there...

Science proves leftards are thick

The anterior cingulate is a part of the brain that is on the middle surface of the brain at the front and we found that the thickness of the grey matter, where the nerve cells of neurons are, was thicker the more people described themselves as liberal or left wing and thinner the more they described themselves as conservative or right wing

Who'd have thought?

Science proves what those on the right have always known.

Fabled Atlantis found?

The network of criss-cross lines is 620 miles off the coast of north west Africa near the Canary Islands on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean.

The perfect rectangle – which is around the size of Wales – was noticed on the search giant's underwater exploration tool by an aeronautical engineer who claims it looks like an "aerial map" of a city.

The underwater image can be found at the co-ordinates 31 15'15.53N 24 15'30.53W.

from Daily Telegraph

More power than a Bugatti Veyron

Update: removed auto-playing embedded movie. Click on link below to watch.

1600 Hp of Bentley hard-on!

Declining polar bear population?

WEATHER is not climate. Grasp that crucial distinction and you have the essence of the situation, a gnostic insight that will enable you to, er, weather the current cold snap while clinging faithfully to the revealed truth of anthropogenic global warming (AGW).

The latest Orwellian newspeak to lull you into a false consciousness.

These are challenging times for climate jihadists. Last week the Met Office was forced to issue a press release stating it "categorically denies forecasting a 'mild winter' ".

How to weather the true lies of global warming newspeak? It's all here.

And the polar bears?

Of the fragile construct of global warming mythology there is hardly a domino left standing. Declining polar bear population? Since 1970 the world population of polar bears has 'declined' from 5,000 to 25,000.

"This is not what Vodafone customers signed up for"

Vodafone is facing a potential class action following complaints from thousands of ... customers angry about the telco giant's network performance

"Vodafone, however, has continued to charge customers on its mobile plans, without providing the service it promised."

Exactly! Pity the class action is Oz. The lack of service here in NZ is just as bad. VF NZ could do with a rocket.

Rang up the other day to ask why the network had taken a dump connecting to the Net since early morning, complete with many dropouts only to be told "Congestion, bad at this time of the year, try again later...".

chief executive... issued an apology on the company's website to customers over its "recent intermittent network issues".

"Having customers who are happy with their service and their network experience is central to us, but unfortunately in recent weeks, some customers have had a disappointing and frustrating experience which I am very sorry for"

Bollocks! It's like that all the time. Your network in NZ continually has serious bandwidth issues as more become connected.

Rabid greenie stiffs taxpayer

Now there is a really innovative offer from the landowners that could see the beach and its hinterland brought into public ownership and permanently protected

through an extraordinarily generous act of philanthropy by the owners

Innovative? Generous? With EDS input? Not to mention these loons have been lobbying the owners for months, if not years and the owners are now unable to sell their property on the open market for a fair price. Indeed, who would purchase such a tainted offering?

The price would be fair market value and that would be determined by taking advice from a competent, independent valuer.

Then the owners have agreed to donate half of the purchase price to the trust. The balance would come from the Government, and perhaps, local government.

Once again, the taxpayer being stiffed for some rabid greenie's wankfest over a piece of unwanted land at the back of beyond.

It has independent trustees and ... would enter into a conditional agreement to buy the property.

now have the tax system aligned to support such activity with no limit on the deductibility of gifting

The said greenie is all excited, hot under the collar, is in an incestuous relationship as a trustee and looking for the taxpayer not only to complete the purchase, but to maintain the property ad infinitum.

The new owner could also enter into a partnership with the local Whangapoua community. There could be an active programme of volunteer work, planting and tending the property. A New Chums Landcare Trust could be established to work alongside the new owners and organise the volunteer effort properly.

On and on it goes. It never ends. The bloody greenie thieves are now in my wallet.

You want it EDS, you buy it yourselves and gift it fully funded, including maintenance. Do not expect me to pay for your loonie greenie ideas!

Insidious renaming of New Zealand

Not content with renaming one and half century old Wanganui, online denizens are attempting to rename our fair country to some mythical place.

I see on Facebook (and a number of other sites of late), when looking for our country in combo box drop downs NZ now features as New Zealand(Aotearoa).

At what point was the official name of our country changed? Where is the official name formally registered?

I firmly believe that the responsible ministry should take the ill-informed to task over this insidious online renaming of our country.

Game changer

7 hours in, the game has changed. With the lead yachts at under 550 miles to run to the finish line, the high speed downhill slalom run is over. It is now hard work with winds on the nose as they enter Batemans Bay and the wind is forecast to build.

From the armchair, I'd say they are in for a rough night.

More here.

Under-appreciated hero?

Not a hero in my book.

Remind me what is the current penalty for treason?

A short length of the finest hemp would be too good imnsho.

Mr Plod looking for low flying pigs...

Police wanted to speak to the occupants of a blue vehicle with a "big boar exhaust"

Obviously the sub-editor was into the Xmas spirit last night.

and 23 unfriended Joseph...

from your Social Network...

The best 'How to ...' I've ever seen.

Season's Greetings from your subsidised airline

Xmas Obscenity

MPs have just got an early Christmas present - a pay rise in the latest review in MPs' salaries

Obscenity in the extreme.

Makes me think how the families of the miners will cope with the first Christmas without their loved ones. The first of many that will bring back raw memories. Along with their stretched finances.

All whilst these troughers award themselves yet another increase. With a backdoor extra to cover the loss of a perk that the public made it super-clear that this perk was to be terminated. Immediately.

Thieving obscene bastards.

New revenue stream of the day

there are now real statistics

It's definitely coming

What next? Revenue gathering teams equipped with sound meters as well as their speed guns? A whole bureaucracy ever ready to deploy calibrated db meters in the quest for milking an untapped revenue source.

At least boy racers with their lift off valves and and big bore exhausts will be safe. For now.

Yes, I can see it happening here in NZ.

Maybe the original Acts from the 1860s are still in force?

The gift of giving...

Tis the season for giving gifts.

Non-stop. It doesn't take much to remind all why politicians continue to be classed as worse than scum. And this gift just keeps on giving. Long may it continue.

But, knowing what rorts our elected representatives regularly tap into, I do wonder if Lockwood's office can truthfully say that NO other politician is doing the same on the taxpayer's dime.

Never a truer word said...

"Homosexuality, dope, immorality, are the enemies of strong societies.

That's why the Communists and left-wingers are clinging to one another.

They're trying to destroy us."

With the repeal of DADT in the news lately, this is worth repeating.

Who said this?

The farce continues...

the agreement also gave ... input into ... governance ... and relationship agreements ...

Not content with being handed the East Cape today, ready for secession when the Foreshore and Seabed Usurpers Act is passed, the entitled are pushing the boat out further.

Maori interests are being left out of decisions on development and use of New Zealand's petroleum resources, claims a landmark Waitangi Tribunal decision released today

The Tribunal finds the whole regime fall short of what the Treaty requires

The grievance industry continues unabated, driving the wedge of racist separatist politics further.

Maori lack the infrastructure and resources to participate effectively

also recommends a ministerial advisory committee be set up to provide Maori input to central government decisions ... and regional and district iwi committees be installed to do the same at the local government level

Really? You have to be bloody joking. Do not even contemplate going there NACTional.

Indeed, where will this farce of appeasement end?

"looking for efficiencies in the military museums"

I hope that he is actually talking of those museums with military memorabilia, not the actual bases.

An unfortunate but true comment as the Defence Minister looks at pay cuts.

ps Dr Razor might like to consider that the 30 percent difference in pay of the military over that of a public servant in civvy street is that the miltary person is on duty 24x7 and is ever ready to put his life on the line for Queen and Country. Even whilst on leave, is liable for recall day and night to serve the country, on any mission, usually not unlike the Police and the Fire Service, in the worst of weather, whilst the public servant is sound asleep in his bed at night knowing that such matters will be sorted ably, professionally and reliably by someone else.

Cyclists really are fair game...

Run them off the road!

Good news!

NZ First continued to edge higher at 3.1 percent against 2.4 per cent in September and 1.3 per cent in May

Great stuff! The NACTional philandering with the racist separatists is being noticed by the electorate. And even better news for Christmas...

The only major change was in the Green's vote, down sharply from 8 per cent in September to 4.5 per cent.

The watermelon tree hugging communists are on the slippery slope.

On rocky shores...

No, it is not more about Julia's un-Australian jihad enabling immigration laws dashing illegal immigrants against the rocky cliffs.

It is about one of our own clutching at straws as he drowns in the violent sea of politics. Apparently it really is all about the money, you see.

"Scrooge had it right, don’t bother"

grumpy old man says:

07:06am | 17/12/10

I have perfected the art of Christmas shopping. It has taken many years, but finally, I have it down to a fine art.

The critical elements are,

1) it should take no longer than 2 hours

2) don’t want to stand in a queue with prams and people shorter than my knees.

So, hit the Westfield’s at 0800 on Christmas eve, park as close as possible to an entrance, go straight to the top floor, credit card in hand.
Move systematically from one end to the other, then down a floor, repeat etc.

Whatever catches your attention is a good gift for someone, buy it.
when you get to the bottom floor with all your purchases, find someone doing wrapping and get the wrapping done, oh! and don’t forget a small stock of gift vouchers for those that you’ve forgotten. Any left over on boxing day you can put in your wallet for personal use.

Put everything in the car and go to the pub.

I love it. Bah humbug!

"Music to my ears"

How many more hoops do we have to do through? It's a hell of a lot of work. I would have liked them [Creative NZ] to have the courage to trust us.

Arty types playing the world's smallest violin.

must sing for its supper

More troughers rightly put on notice that the taxpayer tit will not be delivering.

Whilst music to my ears, it would be a heavenly choir if Creative was totally disbanded.

"It's an absolute disgrace"

If Silver Fern Farms don't understand that workers share a bond of solidarity and they are going to punish them for it, that reflects really poorly on Silver Fern Farms. It's an absolute disgrace.

The unionised bitching about the 98 cents they were docked for the Pike River 2 minute observance stoppage the other day. For stopping the chain and not processing any beasts for 2 minutes. In other words - unionised wanting to be paid whilst not doing any work.

To paraphrase, another view...

If Silver Fern Farms don't understand that workers share a bond of solidarity and they are going to want money for it, that reflects really poorly on the union. It's an absolute disgrace.

Yes, it is an absolute disgrace. How utterly typical of the unionised wanting to be paid for doing less.

Taxpayers cough up ransom demands

Primary school teachers and principals have reached an agreement on new pay settlements

Bloody thieving unionists.

"boat loads of illegal immigrants"

New British Destroyer

Press Release to coincide with the introduction of the new Type 45 Destroyers.

Details have been released regarding Britain's introduction of the next generation of fighting ships. The Royal Navy is proud of the cutting edge capability of the fleet of Type 45 destroyers. Costing £750 million, they have been designed to meet the needs of the 21st century; in addition to state of the art technology, weaponry, and guidance systems, the ships will comply with the very latest employment, equality, health & safety and human rights legislation.

They will be able to remain at sea for several months and positively bristle with facilities. For instance, the new user friendly crow's nest comes equipped with wheelchair access. Live ammunition has been replaced with paintballs to reduce the risk of anyone getting hurt and to cut down on the number of compensation claims. Stress councillors and lawyers will be on duty 24hrs a day, and each ship will have its own onboard industrial tribunal.

The crew will be 50/50 men and women, and balanced in accordance with the latest Home Office directives on race, gender, sexuality, and disability. Sailors will only have to work a maximum of 37hrs per week in line with Brussels Health & Safety rules even in wartime! All bunks will be double occupancy, and the destroyers will all come equipped with a maternity ward situated on the same deck as the Gay Disco. Tobacco will be banned throughout the ship, but cannabis will be allowed in the Officer's Wardroom. The Royal Navy is eager to shed its traditional reputation for "Rum, Sodomy, and the Lash". Out goes the occasional rum ration which is to be replaced by Perrier water, although sodomy remains, this has now been extended to include all ratings under 18. The lash will still be available but only by request.

Saluting officers has been abolished because it is elitist; it is to be replaced by the more informal "Hello Sailor". All notices on boards will be printed in 37 different languages and Braille. Crew members will no longer be required to ask permission to grow beards or moustaches, even the women. The MOD is working on a new "Non specific" flag based on the controversial British Airways "Ethnic" tailfin design, because the White Ensign is considered to be offensive to minorities. The ship is due to be launched soon in a ceremony conducted by Captain Hook from the Finsbury Park Mosque who will break a petrol bomb over the hull. The ship will gently slide into the water to the tune of "In the Navy" by the Village People played by the band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines.

Sea Trials are expected to take place, when the first of the new destroyers HMS Cautious, sets out on her maiden mission. It will be escorting boat loads of illegal immigrants across the channel to ports on the south coast. The Prime Minister said that "While the ships reflected the very latest of modern thinking they were also capable of being up-graded to comply with any new legislation". His final words were "Britain never, never waives the rules!"

Very topical. Might as well be the RNZN. Flogged in full, without apology, from here.

HT Theo Spark

"imagine a world that appreciates Maori processes and values"

God help New Zealand. The latest vote buyer.

We are stuffed.

Slapping faces

told that we didn't compete for wages with the Chinese, it's just another slap in the face

a review found it could cost 70% more to get the job done locally than in China

Another unproductive union hotbed to be consigned to history. I love it. The ongoing price of that FTA.

"Thought provoking" recommendations?

parliamentary report into New Zealand's relationship with the Pacific Islands has called for a semi-amnesty on overstayers, saying Immigration should go easy on otherwise law-abiding overstayers

McCully said the Government would give consideration to the "thought provoking" recommendations before giving its formal response

You have to be bloody joking! Softcock government looking for more votes in an election year. One wonders why we bother with immigration laws when the government of the day utters such inanities.

The only recommendation should be dawn raids. Coupled by actively policing the borders in accordance with current laws. And after actively locating any that break those laws, immediately deport overstayers without fear or favour.

Unfortunately New Zealand governments are hellbent on maintaining this country as the refugee camp of choice in the South Pacific.

And...?

Economic data to be released tomorrow will show the Government's fiscal position is on the outer limit of what it regards as acceptable, Prime Minister John Key says

You know what is needed John Boy. Stop borrowing $250M a week. Stop the smile and wave and do something useful. Like taking the axe to welfare and the public service. Now. Not next year.

The limit of acceptability was the evident the day you took over two years ago. I might believe you when you actually do something about your thieving government's overspending.

"Piss off..."

He's said she's f***** up...

He told her if she didn't like it, she could piss off

The head native, the one with the biggest bone, gets his knickers in a wedgie when a female spectator asks him to stop swearing down at the local meeting house.

Reminds one of the "... white mofos ..." earlier incident.

Must be all that race based taxpayer funded affirmative action immersion education working. The warrior gene just keeps on surfacing.

Looking for Xmas stocking stuffers for the rugrats?

I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying, toys not included.

Bernard Manning

This is their sales pitch? [update]

Tom’s Cottage is an immaculately restored sheppard’s hut ideal for a couple seeking a relaxing break or a romantic honeymoon stay. Its cozy atmosphere will help you unwind while you read a book, nap on the couch or catch up on some movies. Watch the spectacular sunsets as you bathe under the southern sky in our "Alfresco bath".

The first paragraph of their sales pitch invites the reader to a hut. What is a sheppard's hut?

The UK newspaper's list was compiled following the announcement of Prince William's engagement to Kate Middleton last month

Fit for a future king? You have to be bloody joking!

With a spelling mistake like that, it is a wonder they have any customers.

[update] Website has been corrected quick smart, Toms place is now a shepherd's hut. I didn't tell them. Pity they didn't also remove the Yank spelling of cosy.

Reporting terrorists

Suspicious activity included:

* an unconvincing explanation - tick

* routine services are declined - tick

* payment by cash or with side offers - tick

* you cannot substantiate the nature of new agencies - tick

* excessive requirements for confidentiality - tick

* the customer or end-user is a foreign military or government body - tick

* the customer uses a generic email address - tick

* reluctance to offer information - tick

* reluctance to provide clear answers to questions - tick

* unusual requests - tick

* a site with strict security controls - tick

* requests for confidentiality - tick

* requests for additional equipment - tick

The SIS also urged researchers and tertiary institutions to dub in any suspicious activity from people or entities linked with countries likely to develop or acquire weapons of mass destruction - tick

Yep, judging by the ticks, that would make most of the self-serving pricks in the Wellytown bear-pit terrorists. Better report them to the spooks.

Wonder if those useless bastards have sorted the anti-terrorist legislation yet? What about our current terrorists, the Urerewa 17?

Be very worried

The size of Parliament, the length of government terms, Maori seats and the role of the Treaty of Waitangi will all come under the spotlight in a wide-ranging review of New Zealand's constitutional arrangements

With the racist separatists looking well pleased fresh from having recently done a backroom deal on the seabed with the head clown, the sudden need to change core constitutional matters, leaves me very worried.

Sharples said the review would be guided by public consultation and there would be information and education campaigns to advise of progress

Yes, you will be educated that racist seats are OK for separatists. Deeply worrying. Standby readers, the real indoctrination is about to begin.

Options:

• Parliament - None at all preferably, but since we apparently need them, 100 MPs max, no overhangs. First past the post. 3 year terms. Total transparency, run like a business.
  
• Maori seats - End this racist sham immediately.
• Treaty - Consign to dustbin of history. Cease pandering to gravy train, victimhood and separatism. Forcefully remind all are British subjects, subject to rule of law without special privilege based on skin colour or ancestry. And remind citizenry that Aotearoa is a fiction.
  
• Constitution: A written document, similar to that of the US. The number one document of the country, upholding sovereignty of the Realm of New Zealand. Judicial activism to be stopped.
  
• Republic / Monarchy: Not worried either way.
  

Finally, a nomination worthy of the title

Instead of the usual mutual admiration awards for "I am so good for you, pick me's", dime-a-dozen sporting dross along with other nobodies like politicians and feral unionists ever looking for the limelight, this is one New Zealander we would do well to emulate.

I readily admit know I could never do what she did in the face of tragic adversity. I would be looking for my pound of flesh and more. I really admire her for her inner strength.

Nominated for New Zealander of the Year, Emma Woods. Well done.

There'll be a handout soon for that then?

ethnic disparities in cancer and survival rates among Maori and non-Maori

I can see it all. Another handout under the treaty to be added to the "burden" of the white colonialist oppressor. A public entity using race statistics as a wedge to garner more monies. If they did not collect such stats, there would be zero problem.

Tariana Turia said she was "very concerned" about the disparities. She said there was "institutionalised racism" in the health system, and differences in the quality of care

The usual response from the racist apologists that lead them. Nothing about the diet and lifestyle. And the failure to uptake provided solutions.

Where there's smoke...

The Native King in a show of "I'm in charge here and I don't like the message" sacks the messenger who dared to air the dirty laundry.

I'd say the laundry was well alight.

Back from Jafaland

Never saw so many roadworks in my life. About every 100m another set of 100-50/30-100kph complete with stop-go signs all the way from Napier to Orklund. And back. Stop start, never ending. Every road work gang in NZ must be hard at work on North Island roads.

Enough of that. Took the grand-kids out on Sunday to a venue of their choice.

The whole earth is the sepulchre of famous men

They are commemorated not only by columns and inscriptions in their own country but in foreign lands also by memorials graven not on stone but on the hearts of men

Where did we go?

Off to Orklund

Off to Lyen Len's Super Shitty today. 550Km one way for a birthday. Back late Monday, so will be a quiet weekend for posting.

Driving from Dannevegas to West Orklund.

It's precipitating here at 40S. What's the Wx like going north via Napier-Taupo?

Subbie at Stuff lost

One person is dead following an tractor accident on a northern Wairarapa farm

Emergency services were called to the farm at Pongaroa

Last time I visited, Pongaroa was in Tararua.

A Stuff armchair subbie ventures north past the Wairarapa vineyards and gets lost.

Users to pay for rugrat babysitting service

The parents of tens of thousands of preschoolers can expect to start paying more for early childhood care next year - in some cases up to $80 a week for each child

The long announced government users pays policy for the currently free and over-qualified babysitting service is about to kick in. All the usual suspects are screaming 'woe is me, what about the children?'

I say well overdue and long may similar actions continue. It was a rort from day one.

The inequalities created amongst parents who could afford to pay and those who couldn't was another major concern

If you want to breed and subsequently are required to work to continue your lifestyle, be prepared to pay. If you need to work and also look after your brats, do not expect me, a long suffering taxpayer, to fund your babysitting arrangements. You might call it childcare, I call it a babysitter.

A step in the right direction. Next hit, Working for Welfare.

You can't win...

bottom trawling may not be systematic environmental pillage

far from destroying a habitat, the trawl may have created a new one by etching grooves into the flat bottom

Early signs indicate that marine life survived, even thrived

The noo religion tells us that bottom trawling is maybe not so evil.

Take that and smack it greenies! How's that global warming climate change thing going?

A letter to Figjam

Subject: Letter to Figjam Power



Dear Mr Power

Let's put the seniors in jail and the criminals in a nursing home. This way the seniors would have access to showers, hobbies and walks. They'd receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment, wheel chairs etc and they'd receive money instead of paying it out.. They would have constant video monitoring, so they could be helped instantly, if they fell, or needed assistance.

Bedding would be washed twice a week, and all clothing would be ironed and returned to them. A guard would check on them every 20 minutes and bring their meals and snacks to their cell.

They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose. They would have access to a library, weight room, spiritual counselling, pool and education.

Simple clothing, shoes, slippers, PJ's and legal aid would be free, on request. Private, secure! rooms for all, with an exercise outdoor yard, with gardens. Each senior could have a PC a TV radio and daily phone calls.

There would be a board of directors to hear complaints, and the guards would have a code of conduct that would be strictly adhered to.

The "criminals" would get cold food, be left all alone and unsupervised. Lights off at 8pm, and showers once a week. Live in a tiny room and pay $900.00 per month and have no hope of ever getting out.

Justice for all we say.

fresh off the wire (slightly modified from 'The Letter to Julia Gilliard')

Where National should be

"absolutely no case" for treating Maori people differently

That's more like what National should look like. I love it.

The whole concept of a racially based political party would be seen as grossly inappropriate if wanted by any other race than Maori," he said. "What would be the reaction if a group of New Zealanders of European background decided to set up a 'European New Zealanders' Party'?

Orewa Mk III. Not the NACTional pink wash that endorses every Liarbour socialist mantra.

He also attacked National's economic performance and criticised what he said was high spending, over-regulation and a refusal to back down on a number of Labour-led policies

What NZ politics needs is a large dose of Don. New Zealand would be a performer, an achiever under his stewardship. God help Key in 2011. Lazarus looks better by the day.

Rabid greenie councillor getting children to do dirty work

I wish they would do something quite brave: go and visit the farmer who has poisoned the tussock land on the north face of the Hokonui Hills, which overlooks their small country school, and tell him that his actions are harming the environment, risking serious erosion and giving farming a bad name

Shame on you Robert Guyton. If your regional council has an issue with a farmer working his land, his private property, do not get children to do your dirty work via underhanded suggestions. Property rights reign supreme.

The show goes on

there's still 50-odd million tonnes of coal there

Whilst I thought Peter Whittall handled himself extremely well over the last week, I feel he has been premature making such a comment today. Meanwhile the board members continue to keep an obscenely low profile.

The Department has up to six months to investigate and bring any charges

What's the betting the time limit expires before any prosecution? The show goes on.

A sad end

Our thoughts are for the families.

National: We've established what you are...

MB doesn't want to haggle over the price any more.

Helen won.

Robots and things

Whilst robots with electrickery were proven to not work that well under water today, I've been thinking about other techno trickery that could work in a closed space with explosive gases.

The explosive gas problem maybe relatively easily fixed by making any devices intrinsically safe. That is removing the potential of internal electrical currents and sparks in any device ever coming into contact with the explosive gas mixture. In other words fully and totally sealed. Note there is also an element of reducing induced and static charge potentials along with protection for fault conditions.

So what about flying a drone such as one of these small choppers you can get these days up the barrel of the gun that is this mine? With an IR camera on top? Sure you might make the electrics of a battery powered chopper intrinsically safe, but the static issue will be hard to fix. Ticks a few boxes, won't generate stone-on-stone sparks as it moves. Dunno about the wireless range though. Straight line 2.5Km might be possible, but underground and around bends, probably not.

Another possible thing, what about RFID tags that are all the rage of late. Surely it wouldn't be too hard to incorporate such a tag into the clothing of a miner. And have a protected fixed sensor wiring system throughout the mine. After all the mine must have fixed wiring lighting systems and and extra sensor wire wouldn't take much space. A sensor wire system with redundancy could be cheaply encased in concrete in the walls as the mine is extended, protecting it from blast damage. Once an explosive incident had occurred, rescue services could locate each miner through interrogating the RFID tags and know where to concentrate rescue resources. Might even be able to incorporate some real-time bio functionality/information. Should be real easy in this modern age.

Food for thought, whilst we all await a miracle.

From Stuff - drilling to commence

Mine boss: Rig will be used to drill into shaft today ... More soon

Pike River Coal chief executive Peter Whittall said this morning there was heating of ''some sort ''under ground - some combustion of material which was generationg posionous gases - still

Very interesting. That suggests to me there has been a rockfall/collapse and access via the usual portal is not possible. We await more.

The donkey wins!

Let's party. We won.

Some would say that if you pinned a red rosette on a donkey, Labour supporters would vote for it. But there is more.

There are no second prizes in politics.

Fill in Phil declares his dislike of MMP.

That statement will come back to haunt him.

ps And I note that the Not PC crowd might as well shut up shop with 43 votes...

As suspected...

Many did not want to be named or quoted for fear of being targeted.

"Of course none of us are happy about being next to a brothel, and what many of us worry is that the [type of] business also has links to Asian gangs."

The real reasons emerge why the council put the digger boot in, no questions asked, favouring the RMA over a citizen's property rights.

A brothel just wouldn't attract the right types to the inner Super Shitty you know.

WTF is going on down at the mine?

Whilst it is hoped that the outcome will be positive, 14 hours in, one wonders just WTF is going on down at the Pike River mine?

It appears that the rescue teams are dithering above ground. Worried about poisonous gases. Do they not have full face breathing apparatus like firemen? And since the initial event, the shift sparkie has actually been in and out, along with the others who exited safely. I would have thought a quick recce would have happened by now.

One hopes that we are not going to witness another event like the Singh dairy robbery where the authorities stuffed around for some time before entering.

Just saying, wanting to see some real positive rescue action. Fast. Meanwhile we all wait, thinking of the families involved.

Friday Funny

Just off the wire...

Men’s advice column extract:

Hey Mate, really need your advice for a serious problem:

Dear “Mate”

I have suspected for some time now that the missus has been cheating.
The usual signs; Phone rings, if I answer the caller hangs up, going out with the girls a lot. I try to stay awake to look out for her when she comes home but I usually fall asleep.

Anyway last night about midnight I hid in the shed behind the boat, when she came home she got out of someone's car buttoning her blouse, then she took her panties out of her purse and slipped them on.

It was at that moment crouched behind the boat, I noticed a "hairline crack" in the outboard mounting bracket.

Is that something I can weld or do I need to replace it?

Cheers,

QoTD

When I'm walking, I hate drivers.

When I'm driving, I hate pedestrians.

But no matter what I'm doing, I always hate cyclists.

from here

Now the kneejerk reaction...

still "firming up the details"

I have no idea how many cases are in the system, but we're looking at that over the next few days

A kneejerk of the worst kind. Standby for every feral greenie lycra clad lout and taxpayer funded nutter organisations to attend. With the subsequent regulations. Anti-driving regs that is. Next thing roads will be closed whilst cyclists are mounted. Maybe even Mr Plod out with a red flag warning evil motorists.

The Chief Coroner is told to get to work on his bike. Obviously Smile and Wave has had a word in his shell-like.

But then I expected that result

An investigation has laid blame on both anti-whaling vessel Ady Gil and Japanese whaling ship Shonan Maru No. 2 for their Southern Ocean collision earlier this year

Gutless Maritime Authority sits on it hands and makes no decision.

There was only one boat at fault IMNSHO.

The plastic chilly-bin that had half-a-dozen eco-terrorists on board as it accelerated into a larger ship.

But, then I expected nothing different but appeasement.

Subsidising the uninsured

The Government has announced a $50 million plan to fight the kiwifruit vine bacteria PSA

Why is the taxpayer being stiffed subsiding businesses that obviously have zero hedging against such events?

Businesses should stand on their own two feet, just like those in the earthquake prone Village of the Damned who deliberately chose not to insure.

Calculated risks that the taxpayer should not have a bar of.

Who? Not me! [updated]

Drivers should have to resit their licences every 10 years

As another tragic cyclist road death occurs, a loon calls for extra regulation for drivers.

Who? Not me! Always blame the drivers. Never any talk of regulations or specific training for the lycra freaks that court disaster with their 'I own the road' usage styles.

Highways and narrow feeder routes in congested cities are not the place for the untrained, unregistered and untaxed lycra clad.

[Update]
The lycra loon goes further in the Herald. Apparently the tragic accident was caused by the cyclist swerving under a truck whilst aviding a parked car door opening. Passenger or driver's door?

Drivers have a duty of care to other road users, so we believe it's fair to check driving skills every 10 years

Right on! A duty of care? Changing that slightly makes a mockery of his rally cry...

Cyclists have a duty of care to other road users, so we believe it's fair to check riding skills every 10 years

I wonder who funds idiot organisations like CAN?

At last, what should have been done 35 years ago

They can go to hell...

Yes! 35 years of grievance industry put in context.

I don't believe the sneaky AG for one minute, but I like his sudden change in delivery.

Just 35 years overdue.

Put my email on Facebook?

Facebook, rumoured for some time to be planning its own email service, may finally be on the verge of doing so in a move that would send a shot across the bow of Google, Yahoo! and Microsoft

I'll have half a pound of whatever they are smoking up there in Silicon Valley. It must be real good.

FB have to be joking. Would you risk it all with all the security and privacy issues FB regularly experiences? Really?

Backing 'sustainable' losers

A city bike scheme is up for a national business award - despite folding last week.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has asked officials to meet Nextbike to discuss options for some future scheme.

Lendthrift Brown of Orklund Super Shitty is backing losers willy nilly. With your rates. One of these days, someone with a bit of nous might notice that Orklund has more than a few hills, is prone to strong winds and the crap narrow roads are not conducive to cyclists.

The company is a finalist for the national award after winning a regional title from the Sustainable Business Network as a promising small emerging business.

Sustainable??? How I absolutely hate that word. What it really means is "a proven unworkable business model that will be subsidised by increasing your rates".

Meanwhile, here is another bunch of losers being promoted by The Mare.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown has given an undertaking to the influential Iwi Leadership Group to talk to the new Auckland Council about dedicated Maori seats on the council.

Dr Sharples told the Herald last night that Mr Brown had given an undertaking to take the issue to his new council and go through a process and it could take a year or so.

Losers who after a poor showing at the recent election continue to try for un-democratic representation at the trough. Just wait to see what happens if that genie is ever let out of the bottle. His mate Jonkey has yet to face the electorate over the criminal corrupt wheeling and dealing with the separatists, but his day is coming and that is another story. Meanwhile the main players are in a holding pattern.

Dr Sharples said it would be a gradual process "and we are quite happy to settle for that"

Nothing sustainable about backing those that use their genes to garner a place at the trough.

Yes, Lendrift picks losers everytime. Trouble is he's not betting with his money, but your hard earnt rates taxes.

There's some sickos out there...

Smith allegedly broke into the home and threw items around.

When deputies arrived at the scene, they said they found Smith naked and under the influence of drugs.

They say his head had to be covered with a blanket to prevent him from biting officers and had to be hog-tied, shackled and tied to a stretcher when paramedics arrived.

As they say, that's not all folks.

paramedics took Smith to the hospital where medical professionals found a mouse tail hanging out of his ...

I'll leave the rest for you to read. And I know you will.

Getting noticed in Mana

Liarbour will have taken a huge hit in the Mana bye-election stakes in the past day with McCarten's occupation of a vacant house. A taxpayer owned state house was broken into and a "tenant" was installed. McCarten's team were duly arrested / carted off by Mr Plod.

It is not a stunt, but a criminal action that I hope gets the full force of the law.

Getting noticed in Mana, the left vote is being rent asunder which can only be good for the right candidate, Perata.

Well done Mr Plod for promptly enforcing the law. Pity you did not do it up north with activist stirrers in the sailing club on the day they illegally occupied the site.

And for the Mana/Porirua/Wellywood council, are criminal proceedings underway for those allowing people to reside in garages in your territory? I believe garages are not habitable buildings under the Building Act. More so wet ones. Under your aegis of being the Local Government authority, with the vested duty to enforce regulations, have you started proceedings?

“We can’t manage what we don’t measure,”

Those immortal words were uttered yesterday by Nick Smith in something to do with water allocation and mandatory metering.

My only thought was how appropriate. Pity the gummint doesn't apply same ethic across the board.

Teachers and National Standards immediately came to mind. Real objective measurement will do that viper's nest of socialists a lot of good.

And then changing drinking laws came to mind. The gummint caving in to emotional wowserism over two drinks vs the actual measured stats on 80 mcg vs 50 mcg.

HT HP for reminding me of it

5, 4, 3, 2, ...

I wonder how long before a feral tree-hugging council Nazi pops-up to stop this bit of harmless fun.

Bet you it doesn't last the day!

Go Rodney!

our valuable foreshore and seabed can be handed across to iwi in secret, in the Attorney General's office, with no public or parliamentary scrutiny

The stench of corruption, separatism, racism around the secret backroom wheeling and dealing in New Zealand's foreshore and seabed continues unabated.

I firmly believe that the 3M (Maori Mining Mountains) arrangement announced yesterday is only a smokescreen sideshow to distract the citizenry from the real issues as Jonkey sells out the seabed in perpetuity.

Act says it will try to change the fact that iwi could win customary title in the foreshore and seabed by regulation, "in secret," and without reference to Parliament

Rodney is about to tackle the government head-on. Show-time.

More cold water

Auckland has been told to meet a claimed $30 million annual funding gap for keeping its trains running before the Government will seriously consider a $2 billion inner-city railtunnel

Pay your current bill first before you even think about funding blue-sky dreams. Just how many of those 100 projects have been shelved in nine days?

Just when I thought it had gone eerily and worryingly quiet, Jonkey pours more cold water on LendThrift Brown's new Super Shitty.

The show goes on

The race was thought to be so close

Clint Rickards has missed out on one of Tainui's top jobs to former public servant Parekawhia McLean

Tainted forever I'd say.

Whilst he was acquitted, his accuser is still gnawing at the bit, continuing to push her wheelbarrow down a very fine legal line. About time she got over herself and moved on.

In my view, she has already done more than enough damage.

A "downward spiral of despair"

Rowan Williams said he had "a lot of worries" about the scheme

The head God-botherer in Blighty has got a turd on about making bludgers work for benefits. Poor deluded soul.

they would "benefit from experiencing the habits and routines of working life"

People on benefits ... have a responsibility to take advantage of the support and help being offered to them

will offer jobless people the opportunity to gain work discipline while benefiting their local community

That's more like it. Now if only Jonkey here would enforce such measures here in that bennies Shangrila of the South Pacific, New Zealand. But in an ever downward spiral, I despair of ever seeing any action by Liarbour-Lite other than smile and wave.

Maybe the man himself would be better off with some real work rather than saving the souls of bludgers.

There's truth in that slip-up

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton caused a small stir in Wellington when she accidentally referred to New Zealand Prime Minister John Key as "Prime Minister Rudd"

Speaking what's really on her mind, confusing Oz's immediate past leftard for our Liarbour-Lite lefty leader.

There's a whole lot of truth in that statement about our pinko Jonkey.

The cost of free trade?

The Chinese consulate-general in Auckland sent a verbal note to the Auckland District Court, asking for equal and fair treatment in Ms Zhang's case," the letter said.

The ambassador's letter also said: "We will definitely pay close attention to the development of this case and always be ready to reach out to help secure the Chinese national's legitimate rights"

Nice!

The world's most populous nation that already owns 3/4 of the South Pacific shit-holes attempts to flex its Communist muscle in our courts. Repulsed by the Judge. This time.

Won't be long before they write a cheque and buy up bankrupt New Zealand Inc as part of that FTA.

Breaking News: Missing link found!

The breathless news that the turbine blade wheel mechanically disintegrated and violently exited at 20,000 plus rpm from the rear of a flying rat's jet engine yesterday is somehow brought closer to home with that all important Kiwi link. At last, the missing link is found!

My whole body just went to jelly ...

The missing link that must be found in any event of international import.

The destruction of the fibreglass cowling and a few flames accompanied by some noisy vibration is somewhat routine for a jet turbine engine. Albeit maybe scary for those inside the carbon fibre plastic chilly bin. The pilots did what had to be done, again shutting down an engine being a well practiced routine event, stuffed a bit more of the atmosphere dumping all that avgas into the already dirty Indonesian tropical air and landed safely.

Why does the MSM always have to trawl through passenger lists to find a Kiwi link? Even if it is days later.

From here, the MSM is the missing link.

Breeders after childcare refund

Councillors who put their children in childcare while carrying out council business should be reimbursed for the cost

As if councillors don't get paid enough by ratepayers. Not to mention the Working For Welfare largesse grants from taxpayers for breeders. Along with 20 hours of free childcare. And the bloody breeders still want more.

Get real! Maybe you should have thought of the children when you put your hand up to suck on the ratepayer's teat.

At his best

It's better to be passionate about a beautiful girl than a gay

Berlusconi gets it right defending his lifestyle and passion for young women -

"At least I'm not gay"

Witchcraft practitioners out in force in Orklund

The inaugural meeting of the Auckland Council was a ceremonial occasion that began with a powhiri by the iwi of Auckland

a Tainui kaumatua, presented Mr Brown with a taiaha (a long wooden weapon) as a koha, or gift.

Every practitioner of dark arts has come to town to slurp at the the new Orklund Super Shitty trough.

Wearing a Maori feather cloak - there are no mayoral robes or chains at this stage - Mr Brown finished by leading the singing for a waiata

Even the head honcho is pandering to such practices.

Just like that murderous war dance that precedes every public and international function, particularly on the paddock, modern secular society has no truck with such displays of witchcraft.

Unfortunately, like previous local government in Orklund, I fear the worst for the new council as it is already infested with the practitioners of racist dark arts where if you are of a certain ethnicity, your message has more value. Just outside of the council are a whole cohort awaiting inclusion at the trough by virtue of their ethnicity.

When are New Zealander's going to wake up and ban these archaic practices?

Fastrack railroad to hell

Today residents of the new Orklund Super Shitty embarked on a one-way trip.

Brown's three key rail visions - an inner city loop, a line to Auckland International Airport and rail to the North Shore

A one-way trip to rates hell for those that pay the bills as they now fund the wild wet dreams of a socialist nirvana with public transport for the masses. All being made possible by a man driven. Driven by politics of the left where those that can pay will have their wealth redistributed through rampant property taxes.

I pray that in three years time the left will have made such a hash of Orklund, that those who pay the bills will never vote for socialists again.

"Coolest little capital in the world"

That would of course refer to the extreme wind chill factor that prevails in that village more commonly referred to (in nice terms) as the backside of New Zealand.

Really, who are they kidding? A place to avoided like the plague.

Shortened odds

The caped Crusader breaks the drought.

storming from behind when seemingly all was lost

Indeed. All those in local councils and gummint with billions invested wasted in public transport and hosting the great game next year must be feeling really good about that result. Losers, the lot of them.

Wondering if Mr Key will be shortening his chances at the polls? Maybe go early?

Where's Shrek when you need him?

activists were circulating emails calling for a protest march to drive home their opposition to the bill, which replaces Labour's Foreshore and Seabed Act

Not content with their over inflated perception of self-worth, the 'haters and wreckers' are eager to do it all over again. To get 'a better deal' at the expense of every non-native New Zealander. And yes, the rabble I saw those few years ago marching through the high street in my local town holding up traffic did look like a wrecking crew. I have always thought they were well named by her indoors.

Indeed, it is time for Shrek to make his mark again.

Shades of things to come?

the roadway is private and has asked Mr Hall, as a commercial operator, to pay a fee - otherwise he is trespassing

A commercial operator is priced off crossing private land, whilst locals continue to do so for free. Nothing wrong with that, property rights reign. Except if you have the slightest whiff of being commercial (read not of the ethnic brotherhood), you will pay. The bros will find a way round free public access. Not to mention the hidden threats Joe Public will have to endure exercising that access. Of course nothing will ever be proven otherwise.

I've consulted other iwi leaders to inform them of what we intend to do and there is good support for me taking this position while the Maori Party is here

The locals out East are getting uppity again fearing the backroom deal being done with the separatists is not kosher enough. Not enough to open the way to direct ownership via wrongly perceived customary rights. Rights that were signed away 170 years ago when all New Zealanders became British subjects. I wonder if they will organise another march of 'haters and wreckers'?

people who went in the forest for kai and firewood were being served trespass notices

Rightly so. Property rights reign in the pine trees under new management. Forests I believe that should be still Crown property. Used to pillaging Crown property, the locals are now trespassing on privately held lands and are being served with trespass notices. Funny how it is not liked when the boot is on the other foot. Shades of things to come?

John Key should explain why tribal ownership of Te Urewera National Park is "evil"?

And these separatists hell bent on secession really want to know the answer to that question?

"from greatness to mediocrity"

There is no truth in that...

Lazarus is about to rise from Christchurch rubble.

Side show over, now to address the real issue

So John Boy has spent $30M or something close of our money usurping our sovereignty, paying for some overseas private company to make a movie that was probably never going to leave NZ. And some laws are going to get a minor tweak to clarify employment things.

Not the real issues. The real issue is that unions are able to operate in such a manner as to endanger an industries that we as NZ Inc depend on to get us out of a recession and to trade in global markets.

The recent play by the unionised has cost this country dearly. IMNSHO, nothing short of industrial terrorism. Terrorists individually that should be brought to book, along with the unions that enabled this fiasco. And unions should be outlawed.

Eh?

I'm just not going to write out cheques that New Zealand can't afford

Eh? That wouldn't be the same as the cheque you regularly write to overseas lenders to the tune of $250M each month? Borrowing a $1Billion every month for easily fixed unnecessary gummint spending?

Or the same as the $1.7B cheque recently written for your mates at SCF?

Obviously your definition of affordability differs to mine Mr Key.

Spreading tentacles of bureaucracy

The MOH is desirous of creating a whole new bureaucracy through which to spread their tentacles of officialdom.

One in five New Zealanders has unsafe or unregistered drinking water, a Ministry of Health survey shows.

I wonder how long before a health Nazi turns up with a clipboard in hand to look at my unregistered 10,000 gallon water collection system? Why suddenly a cause-celebre now? Just another Liarbour MP stirring the pot looking for traction in the polls.

Real tasty rain water here, nothing wrong with it all. Just now and then the odd flush of bird-shit and roof dust goes into the tank. Leaf matter, whole birds and possums are filtered out.

Only in Britain!

Well, maybe not only in the Mother Country.

Fresh off the wire...

IDIOT SIGHTING #1

My daughter and I went through the McDonald's take-out window and I
gave the clerk a £5 note. Our total was £4.20, so I also handed her a
Twenty pence piece.
She said, 'you gave me too much money.'
I said,'Yes I know, but this way you can just give me £1 back.'
She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my
request. I did so, and he handed me back the 20 pence and said 'We're
sorry but they could not do that kind of thing.' The clerk then
proceeded to give me back 80 pence in change..

Do not confuse the clerks at MacD's.



IDIOT SIGHTING #2

We had to have the garage door repaired. The GARADOR repairman told us
that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough
motor on the opener.
I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one GARADOR
made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, 'Lady,
you need a 1/4 horsepower.' I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4
and he said,
'NOOO, it's not. Four is larger than two..'

We haven't used Garador repair since. Happened in Moor Park ,Nr Watford
UK


IDIOT SIGHTING #3

I live in a semi rural area. We recently had a new neighbour call the
Highways Department to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on
our road. The reason: 'Too many deer are being hit by cars out here! I
don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore.'

Story from Potters Bar , Herts , UK



IDIOT SIGHTING #4

My daughter went to a local Kentucky Fried and ordered a taco. She
asked the person behind the counter for 'minimum lettuce.' He said he
was sorry, but they only had iceberg lettuce.

From South Oxney Herts , UK ...



IDIOT SIGHTING #5

I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an Irish airport
employee asked, 'Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your
knowledge?'
To which I replied, 'If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?'
He smiled knowingly and nodded, 'That's why we ask.'

Happened Luton Airport .... UK



IDIOT SIGHTING #6

The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's unsafe to cross the
street. I was crossing with an intellectually challenged co-worker of
mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for.. I explained that it
signals blind people when the light is red.
Appalled, she responded, 'What on earth are blind people doing
driving?!'

She is a Local County Councillor employee in Harrow , Middlesex , UK


IDIOT SIGHTING #7

When my husband and I arrived at Our Local Ford dealer to pick up our
car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the
service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock
the drivers side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I
instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was
unlocked. 'Hey,' I announced to the Fitter/Mechanic, 'its open!'
His reply, 'I know. I already did that side.'

This was at the Ford dealership in St Albans,Hertfordshire UK .



STAY ALERT!
They walk among us... and the scary part is that is they have the RIGHT
TO VOTE and REPRODUCE!

That didn't work, did it?

Police said they were "devastated" by the toll

A total waste of overtime for Mr Plod. All the threats in the world about drinking and speeding will not change the numbers of those chasing Darwin Awards.

We may have lost this battle to stop people dying needlessly on the roads, but the war will continue

Aaah, more of the same I see, Mr Revenue Gatherer? The relentless floggings will continue...

History as it was

a seldom heard New Zealand perspective of WWII sublimely told

I can relate to the story being told about the three times of war. Before the War, After the War and During the War, a secret place which was never spoken of. My own father never revealed much about his bit for King and Country during his war in the Murmansk convoys other than the weather.

A great DVD for a Monday night to replace the crap TV, well worth watching. Home By Christmas by Gaylene Preston. And the extra features are worth having a squiz at.

The language of socialists

"... the nation's largest city, home to about 190 ethnic communities ..."

Lovely. Wonder what the relevance is in having those of ethnicity individually defined. And I thought Len's Super Shitty was to be the nirvana of one big happy community?

Mr Orsman,would those ethnic communities you speak of be like

• Westie bogans and others from South Auckland, who vote for more of the same in handouts?
• Those in Mangere, 'only guilty of helping'?
• Those in Papatoetoe, 'lets's see how many we can fit into one address'?
  
• Hobbit hobbling actresses and unions?

Anyway, you get my drift.

Nice to see the MSM is assisting Len with his all inclusive Orklund. But there is nothing inclusive about the language of socialists, only wedge politics.