Monday, December 15, 2008

Which party should I vote for? (UK)



Which party should I vote for?
The percentages below show how often you agree with each party. For instance, if your score for Labour is 70%, it means that you agree with Labour 70% of the time.
Labour 21%
Conservative 53%
Greens 52%
LibDem 37%
UKIP 85%
Recommendation: You should support the UK Independence Party. The UK Independence Party is a relatively new party, set up in the early 1990s to campaign for Britain to withdraw from the European Union and negotiate a free trade agreement instead. Over the past few years, they have broadened their manifesto to include a commitment to a simplified, fairer flat tax system which would take millions of lower-aid workers out of tax altogether. They believe that the key to economic growth is simplifying and reducing bureaucracy and the tax burden - believing that the public can spend their own money better than the state can! The UK Independence Party believes that the public should have a greater say in how the country is run. The UK Independence Party believes that people would be more interested in politics if they could change public policy by calling a binding referendum on important social and moral issues. They are also pro-civil liberties. The results of this quiz only tell you how often you agree with each party, but it can't tell you which are the most important issues for you. You should therefore treat this result as a guide only.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Reconcilliation - The Reply

Good morning Gordon

Thank you for your query below. I have attached copies of the fulldetermination for both decisions. You will note from reading them that the Electoral Commission considered there were different circumstancesin the two cases.

Regards

Deidre
Deidre Brookes
Statutory Relationships Manager
Electoral Commission
DDI: 04 474 0673
Mobile: 021 0260 8928
Email: deidre@elections.govt.nz
Web: www.elections.org.nz
P O Box 3050
Wellington 6140

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Reconciliation

Email: Wednesday, 3 December, 2008 5:42 AM
From: "Gordon Brown"
To: chief.electoral.office@justice.govt.nz
Dear Dr Catt, Hon McGechan
I was wondering if you could help me please? I am struggling to reconcile the decisions below:
- Electoral Commission decision 2008-47, Green Party, election advertisement
- Electoral Commission decision 2008-45, ACT New Zealand, election advertisement

Your organisation has refered a complaint about a jacket to the police, but not a complaint about a sign. I look forward to your response.

Gordon Brown
Wellington

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Brown v Green

Um, what is going on in the YooKay? We think our police are compromised. That is nothing compared to this...

Cannot imbed the sodding Sky video


so:

http://tinyurl.com/6m7aj7

And could this be the truth:
http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1425&Itemid=59

or
http://tinyurl.com/6n74r4

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Celia Lashlie on Nia Glassie

I saw this on Nightline last night. I was confused and so slept before posting on it:

http://www.3news.co.nz/Video/National/tabid/309/articleID/80628/cat/17/Default.aspx#video

She says unless all New Zealanders accept some responsibility, this will happen again. I thought, Is she saying to so-called "community leaders" that they need to pull their socks up and take some responsibility. Probably not, because she goes on to say: "I have a lot of anger, mostly against my class, white middle class New Zealanders". WTF?

Well, former prison boss Celia Lashlie, what did I do wrong? Did I not pay enough tax to give to these guys to shoot up or piss away? Or are you suggesting that I'm to blame cos of my namby pamby sickly white liberalism?

Great book, not sure about that comment though. It may have lost something in the editing...

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Fuck Off and Die, Brown, you Commie Bastard

Under the guise of helping, the socialists advance their agenda of not just controlling your lives, but ceding some of that control to their fellow elites from foreign countries.

http://www.businessday.co.nz/world/4756431

World
UK's Brown: Time to build global society
Reuters Monday, 10 November 2008
NEW ORDER: The global credit crisis gives world leaders a unique chance to create a truly global society, Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown plans to say in a foreign policy speech tonight.

The international financial crisis has given world leaders a unique opportunity to create a truly global society, Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown will say in a keynote foreign policy speech tonight.
In his annual speech at the Lord Mayor's Banquet, Brown -- who has spearheaded calls for the reform of international financial institutions -- will say Britain, the United States and Europe are key to forging a new world order.
"The alliance between Britain and the US -- and more broadly between Europe and the U.S. -- can and must provide leadership, not in order to make the rules ourselves, but to lead the global effort to build a stronger and more just international order," an excerpt from the speech says.
Brown and other leaders meet in Washington next weekend to discuss longer term solutions for dealing with economic issues following a series of coordinated moves on interest rates and to recapitalize banks in the wake of the financial crisis.
"Uniquely in this global age, it is now in our power to come together so that 2008 is remembered not just for the failure of a financial crash that engulfed the world but for the resilience and optimism with which we faced the storm, endured it and prevailed," Brown will say in his speech on Monday evening.
"...And if we learn from our experience of turning unity of purpose into unity of action, we can together seize this moment of change in our world to create a truly global society."
According to a summary of the speech released by his office, Brown will set out five great challenges the world faces.
These are: terrorism and extremism and the need to reassert faith in democracy; the global economy; climate change; conflict and mechanisms for rebuilding states after conflict; and meeting goals on tackling poverty and disease.
Brown will also identify five stages for tackling the economy, starting with recapitalizing banks so they can resume lending to families and businesses, and better international co-ordination of fiscal and monetary policy.
He also wants immediate action to stop the spread of the financial crisis to middle-income countries, with a new facility for the International Monetary Fund, and agreement on a global trade deal, as well as reform of the global financial system.
"My message is that we must be: internationalist not protectionist; interventionist not neutral; progressive not reactive; and forward looking not frozen by events. We can seize the moment and in doing so build a truly global society."

Friday, October 24, 2008

Oh, Greenspan!

Greenspan walks into an ambush. Now National State Radio is spinning that the ideology of capitalism is "flawed".

UPDATE: http://www.capmag.com/article.asp?ID=5330

(Hattip Not PC)

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Are you a "News"paper, or a Gummint Press Bureau?

Rail is safer and better for us
By NIKKI PRESTON - Waikato Times Monday, 20 October 2008

New Zealand's transport system has come full circle, with companies looking at trains and coastal shipping as cheaper and greener alternatives to trucking.

Well, fuckwits, looking is all they're doing, as your article then demonstrates:

Currently, 92 per cent of freight, by weight, is transported via road, 6 per cent by rail, 2 per cent by coastal shipping and nothing is transported by air, according to the national freight demands study.
However, in terms of the length of haul, rail and coastal shipping have a larger share of the market, representing 15 per cent each. Road makes up the additional 70 per cent.


Perhaps "Nikki" isn't to blame, maybe the subbies somehow equated 6% by weight as somehow 51% or more by number of journeys, or something.

http://www.businessday.co.nz/industries/infrastructure/4733404

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Abortion is better than this, surely


Adults made no effort to get help for Nia Glassie, court told

21-Oct 14:09
For 36 hours after she was kicked repeatedly in the head, little Nia Glassie lay in a coma in a Rotorua house with no one - not even her mother - making any effort to get medical help, a court was told today.
The chilling details in the lead-up to the three-year-old's death at Auckland Starship Hospital on August 3 last year, were outlined to a jury in the High Court at Rotorua this morning.
Crown prosecutor Fletcher Pilditch's opening address in the trial of five people for murder and manslaughter was expected to continue into this afternoon.
The long delay in getting help robbed Nia of any chance of surviving her injuries, Mr Pilditch said.
The Crown alleges brothers Wiremu and Michael Curtis, murdered Nia by kicking her in the head a number of times, causing bleeding on her brain on the evening of July 20, 2007.
When she sank into unconsciousness Wiremu Curtis, the then-partner of Nia's mother, Lisa Kuka, told the toddler to wake up.
After she failed to do so he put her to bed, Mr Pilditch said.
In the early of hours of the next morning, Nia's older sister woke Kuka to tell her Nia had wet the bed, which was unusual.
Kuka who is charged with manslaughter, put the three-year-old in the bath, dressed her, and put her back in bed.
Nia did not wake up on July 21, while the adults were preparing for Michael Curtis' 21st birthday party.
By the time guests started to arrive she was seen having fits and frothing at the mouth, her arms were shaking and her legs were stiff.
One eye was partially open and her breathing was stopping and starting.
The five accused face multiple charges to which they have pleaded not guilty:
Wiremu Curtis: Murder, three counts of wilful ill-treatment likely to have caused unnecessary suffering, five assaults (three against Nia, one each against two older girls).
Michael William Curtis: Murder, three charges of wilful ill-treatment and four of assaulting Nia, two counts each of assaulting two other children.
Lisa Michelle Kuka: Manslaughter (by failing to provide medical treatment and failing to protect her daughter from violence).
Michael Paul Pearson: Manslaughter (being a party to the unlawful acts of Wiremu and Michael Curtis which caused the death of Nia Glassie), two counts of wilful ill-treatment, four assaults (two on Nia, one each on two other girls).
Oriwa Terrina Kemp: Manslaughter (being a party to unlawful acts), two charges of wilful ill-treatment, two of assaulting Nia. The trial is proceeding.
NZPA
(From TV3 website)

Monday, October 20, 2008

What ARE we doing, peoples?

Strong growth in world demand for food will carry New Zealand through the worst of the global financial crisis, according to BNZ national managing partner Tony Arthur.

Yet:

New Zealand's story was not being told. "I go to the largest agribusiness operator in China and he doesn't know anyone from New Zealand. He buys lamb and beef out of Australia, he's bought yoghurt out of Australia. I find it of concern."

http://www.businessday.co.nz/print/4732611a27566.html

Concerning, indeed.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Australia unveils A$10.4b stimulus plan

Australia unveils A$10.4b stimulus plan
http://www.businessday.co.nz/world/australia/4726977

The housing sector is a major beneficiary. The Government will triple to $21,000 the current $7,000 first-home buyers grant for people buying a newly constructed home. Those first-home buyers moving into existing properties will receive a doubling of the allowance to $14,000.
Why pick such an old-fashioned industry to subsidise. Back in the 90s I read an article about protectionism and the Australian motor industry. Apparently, the protectionism causes a dead-weight loss to the economy of $250,000 per job in the industry. That’s why Australians drive dinosaurs like Falcon & Commodore…

How about every Australian be given a transferable voucher worth $500, to be spent on computers, software or broadband sign-up costs? And another worth $300 to spend on Australian software?
Transferable so those who already have a computer, or don’t want one, can sell it (at a discount maybe) in order to buy other stuff. And the voucher should have a short expiry, like maybe 3 months, to encourage it to be used quickly. Or, or, or.

Or why not just cut taxes to a flat 23%...

Nah, too fucking simple.

(Why is the Aussie gummint trying to stimulate the "real" Australian economy when the effects of the financial crisis on the "real" economy are uncertain, if any?)

Friday, October 3, 2008

Blair Gone

Sir is out the door.

Broad next?

Sunday, September 14, 2008

ELECTIONS 2008



a MALILI MULIAINA
a ALL BLACKS

Friday, September 5, 2008

Why Central Planning Isn't Required

Unless you are a new-wave statist-bureaucratist

A New Ism is named

new-wave statist-bureaucratist

and

new-wave statist-bureaucratism

(c) Clunking Fist 2008

Defined as:
not socialist, not for the people: just for the public service, whatever the cost and come hell or high water.

UPDATE: instead of procrastination, bureaucrastination.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

How Taxes Work

Bar Stool Economics, something to which we ALL can relate!

Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. They could all just pay $10 since they all drank beer or if they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:
The first four men (the poorest of the 10) would pay nothing. The fifth would pay $1. The sixth would pay $3. The seventh would pay $7. The eighth would pay $12. The ninth would pay $18. The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59. So, that's what they decided to do.
The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed OK with the arrangement until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are all such good and faithful customers,' he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer bill by $20. Drinks for the ten now cost just $80.'
The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes, so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free.
But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?'
They realised if they divided the $20 savings by six they could each reduce the amount they were paying by $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill the same way Tax Savings are dispersed, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.
And so, the fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings)
- so 5 men are drinking for free. The sixth now paid only $2 instead of $3 (33% savings). The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28% savings). The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings). The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings). The tenth (the wealthiest) now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).
Each of the six was better off than before.. And the first four continued to drink for free, now along with the 5th too. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their total dollar savings. 'I only got a dollar out of the $20' declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man: 'but he got $10!' 'Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man.
'I only saved a dollar, too. It's unfair that he got ten times more than I!' 'That's true!!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!'
'Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. '$20 was given back and we didn't get anything at all. This system exploits the poor!' The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.
The next night, the tenth man didn't show up for drinks, so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!
And that, ladies and gentlemen, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.
Professor of Economics, University of Georgia
For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not understand, no explanation is possible.

(received by email)

DRAFT POST Applications for broadband funding open

Applications for broadband funding open

Applications for the $340 million Broadband Investment Fund (BIF) are now open.

The BIF contains $325 million operating and $15 million capital funding available over a maximum of five years and is a key part of the government’s Digital Strategy 2.0 package.

The Fund is targeting high-speed open access urban fibre networks, better rural connectivity and improved international links. AND IS ABSOLUTELY NOT TARGETING PIGS LOOKING FOR A THROUGH.

It will be used to accelerate broadband investment in two particular areas:
• facilitating high-speed broadband to businesses and entities such as municipalities, universities, schools and hospitals in urban centres WHERE THERE IS PROBABLY A PERFECTLY ADEQUATE BUSINESS PLAN WITHOUT THROWING MY FUCKING TAXES AT IT;
• extending the reach of broadband into underserved regions, particularly in the rural sector.
Community groups are encouraged to work with suppliers and local government to signal their interest in being involved in using broadband to improve productivity and New Zealand’s connectivity to the rest of the world.

Applications for the BIF close on 30 September 2008.

More details and application packages can be found at www.digitalstrategy.govt.nz. The helpdesk number for inquiries about submitting an application is 0508 276232 (0508 BROADBAND).

Monday, August 25, 2008

Me for President!

Now just wait a snottin' pickin' minute: there's a new boy on the block want's yer vote.
Are you fixin'on voting for them Donks or Republicans? Vote for me: James Gordon Brown of the Publican's Party. Donations to a/c 01-0111-01111111-00 or by post to: 1177 Willis Street, Wellington. This message authorised by me, 5 Carmicael Road, Coral Harbour, The Bahamas.





Yeah, I know: Adolf did it first. And now Not Peter Cresswell, too.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Dumb Ideas

#1 - Phil Goof decides to pick on the army in an election year.
Should you have not just expressed some disappointed with what's happened, that leasons have been learned, let's now move on?

#2 - Cadbury to feed us the brown plastic that Australian's call chocolate:
a) melt in the mouth: r
b) taste like petrol: a

#3 - Have a Police psyche that seems to spoil for a fight over the Undie 500. They really ARE the Fun Police. What is this country coming to?

Thursday, August 14, 2008

The ComCom is desirable cos...?

AUCKLAND AIRPORT DROPS DUTY FREE PLAN
Auckland Airport has backed off plans to cut the number of duty free retailers from two to one, buckling to pressure from the Commerce Commission.
The commission's view was that shoppers would have ended up paying higher prices for duty free goods.


So only one Duty Free is no good in the commission's eyes? Are they regularly patrolling the airport to ensure there are 2 shoe repair kiosks? Two ice cream parlours? Two newsagents? Two passport photo booths?



ComCom's Paul(a) Rebstock

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Life on Mars


Reserve Bank Email Service

NEWS RELEASE

Date 30 July 2008

Time EMBARGOED TO 4:00PM


Inflation targeting serves NZ well

New Zealand's inflation-targeting framework continues to serve theeconomy well, but we should be careful not to ask too much of it,Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard said today.

In a speech titled "Flexibility and the Limits to Inflation Targeting",Dr Bollard said inflation targeting is the best approach New Zealand andmany other similar countries have yet found for monetary policy, among alimited number of viable alternatives.

"Of course, we continue to seek improvements. But overall, and even inthe current very difficult circumstances, the flexible inflationtargeting framework positions us well to manage the ongoing shocksimpacting the New Zealand economy."



Prima facie evidence that the man lives on another planet than most New Zealanders: inflation is 4% and predicted to reach 4.8% in qtr 4.



Wednesday, July 9, 2008

AVIATION INCLUDED IN EU ETS

The European Parliament has voted in favour of including aviation in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
Under the new directive greenhouse gas emissions from flights to, from and within the EU will be included in the EU ETS from 2012.
All airlines will be covered whatever their origin.



So the madness continues unabated. If another Greenie tries to convince me that the end of the world is nigh due to Global WarmingTM AND Peak Oil(r), I'll kick them in the nads. Then I'll proceed to explain about how a lack of oil will lend itself to the task of solving fossil fuel burning.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

National State Radio

Left wing bias? Never... Tui

6am news: the story on National 's broadcasting policy consists of an excerpt of an interview with Duckie.

At 7.33, National's spokesman on the issue is interviewed, mostly okay, just the usual trick of his microphone being muted whenever Sean speaks. Sean then invites him to stay on the line, as Mallard is present. Mallard then describes his view on the National policy. Then Sean thanks everyone and terminates the interview, so the National spokesman stayed on the line for what exactly? Where was his right of reply?

Duckie complained that it was unfair to expect radio New Zealand to release ratings data if private sector stations don't have to. Doh! Private sector radio stations are not owned by the public (so their data is like, you know, private), and they are judged on profitability.

Catch Some Crims, why you don't you

So motorists sometimes ignore Road Closure signs and become stuck in snow drifts. Farmers complain about having to spend an afternoon getting these folk out.

A representative of South Island police says these motorists are risking a fine of up to $150. But he feels they should be dragged before the courts. Gee, that's a good use of resources.

He's an idea. Those Road Closed signs should include an itemised lists of costs associated with rescue:
- Labour: $100/hr per rescuer (charged in 1/2 hour units, including travel time to and from site of rescue)
- Tractor/Digger hire: $100/hr per tractor/digger
- Fuel use: $2/litre

That way, motorists know the consequences of their actions and farmers are compensated for their troubles. Then the only involvement of the courts will be to collect the payment should the motorist fail to pay up. Farmers could carry mobile eftpos!

Monday, June 30, 2008

Liberty Scott: Big Sister Cindy "Stalin" Kiro supported by Stalinist Sue

Liberty Scott: Big Sister Cindy "Stalin" Kiro supported by Stalinist Sue

If this wasn't so serious, it would be funny. let's hope any enabling legislation gets canned upon the assumption to the throne of Prince John.

(And if he forgets, Sir Roger and Mr Hide can give him a kick in the bollocks.)

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Pig Cunts




Stolen from Bishop Cranmer (via No Minister) so that I can watch it over and over (I sometimes suffer low blood pressure, and this is cheaper than medication*).


*Not really.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

First World

As I live in a "first world" country, according to the not-so-wise Sullen, I expect to have a warm and cosy home in winter.I've invested in heatpumps, I've invested in insulation and double-glazing.
But I've also invested in a gas bottle and portable gas heater as "backup (heat) generation" should my gummints incompetence impact further on my standard of living.

I think we should use as much power as we want, tempered by how much we can afford to pay for. If there is a black-out, so be it. At least then our gummint's incompetence will be visible for all to see, maybe even to Liarbore supporters...

Monday, June 9, 2008

FT? No thanks.



I see even the FT's line is that AGW is a given. Jees Louise. Another publication being taken over by groupthink.

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Friday, May 30, 2008

Digital Development Council and Forum launched

Communications and Information Technology Minister David Cun"t"liffe today launched the structure that will become an important contributor to New Zealand’s digital future.

The Minister hosted the signing of the establishment rules for the Digital Development Council, which will in turn set up the Digital Development Forum.

A holding website page, www.ddc.org.nz, is linked from www.digitaldevelopment.org.nz and www.digitaldevelopment.net.nz.

The Council’s email address for inquiries is info@ddc.org.nz. It is planning its first meeting for early June.

Two more Quangos. So this requires central Planning, Soviet Style? I might email them and ask them for their budgets. Cunts, cunts, cunts.

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Thursday, May 22, 2008

$9 Million for Racing

I missed this on Friday. I was probably too busy watching the rugby, not being a racing man. I do like me beer, though.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4550801a17395.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/6h7x2o

That's a lot of money. It would buy a few classrooms for schools that need them.
How exactly is this "social spending", Mr Cullen?

You are a big fucking cunt of a man.

Even socialists (or is it especially socialists?) think it's a weird idea.

http://blog.greens.org.nz/index.php/2008/05/20/the-minister-of-racings-9-million-stake/

or

http://tinyurl.com/6s38hq

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

The Great Global Warming Swindle

It looks like UK Channel 4's doco "The Great Global Warming Swindle" will be on Prime 1st June. Just a rumour, i can't seem to find schedules that go that far in advance on the interweb.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Clever Plan, guaranteed to Work, says Tui

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/7399340.stm
or
http://tinyurl.com/3s3gf7

The Snot Goblin will use taxpayer money (£200 MILLION!) to buy unsold homes and then rent them to beneficiaries.
What a lovely sounding plan, kill two birds with one stone. Problem is, it may kill the home values in the area "fixed".
I have nothing against beneficiaries, but isn't parachuting them into posh areas a great way to get Liarbore voters into Conservative constituencies.

Hat Tip - Mark Wadsworth
http://markwadsworth.blogspot.com/2008/05/big-numbers-big-numbers.html

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Inflation?

"Inflation?" Says Mikey (Fiscal Fool) Sullen "Is that where prices of things like Wellington office space and Communication Manager wages go up cos I keep handing out money?"

Waste? You want waste?
How about this in the MED's poosletter:
"New management initiative to be launched next month: A new programme of activity promoting the importance of management skills to firm (as in business?) performance will be launched next month by Management Focus."

They've got a jazzy logo and evyfing! The mission:
"Management Focus is a communications initiative established by the Business Capability Partnership, a consortium of private and public sector organisations, to highlight the impact strong management skills can have on overall business performance. By working collaboratively these organisations aim to encourage business owners and managers to assess, develop and improve their performance."
What's the bet that the Business Crapability Prattleship is chock-full of little piglets suckling on taxpayers tit? And that the initiative will consist of volumes of printed and html material that ALREADY EXISTS out in WWWland, accessible via google.
Hey, gummint, how about just getting the fuck out of our lives whilst we try to make ourselves a living by pleasing our customers?

And I DID mention the Families Commission, right?
What the FUCK do they achieve (nothing) and how MUCH do they spend in the process?
Visit their website to see an exercise in futility.

Here are THEIR OWN descriptions of some of the studies they've undertaken or reports they've written:

"The Whänau Talk project was a pilot study conducted to explore what Mäori whänau (families) talk about in their everyday lives and how such talk contributes to whänau socialisation." And the results of this will be used to...?

"Understanding Pacific peoples in the context of their families is crucial to working successfully with Pacific families and communities." Yep, they're close-knit: I had never noticed that.

"A narrative analysis that identified the ways in which young people make sense of family, friendship and intimacy, and how they imagine they might live their lives in the context of these meanings." Pardon? No child makes sense of family after the age of about 12. It's part of the way we flee the nest. Next?

"Nine women with Multiple Sclerosis, who had become mothers in the past five years, were interviewed individually about their experiences of pregnancy, birth and mothering children up to the age of five years. " Is that a scientific study then? Who was in the control group? MS sufferers who DIDN'T become mothers? Non-MS mothers? What were your conclusions? That MS sucks?

32 FTE's as at July 2006
Say 2 on $180k
8 on $80k
10 on $50
10 on $40k
total of $1.9 million
750m2 office at $320/m2 = $240k rent
power light & phone, petty cash for pastries/coffees/lunch for internal meetings, cars for senior execs? Cars for researchers and community liaison folk (http://tinyurl.com/52muxd).
Shit: I've just popped a vein. I'll leave it there...

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Aluminium Smelter

Yeah, go on you numpties, give the smelter an exemption from ETS.

How many exemptions, extensions and free-allocations that does make it now? Why don't you just give up, you stupid communists.

This is like the Monthy Python Black Knight: "don't worry, it's only a scratch, the ETS is effective regardless, Helen will bite the kneecaps off those carbon molecules."

We trust you, Hulun. Why, nearly a BILLION FUCKING DOLLARS for a rusty train set, is mere small change. Well, it's a shit load of money for people on benefits, especially if they really are SICK so can't run a horticultural business on the side. It's a shit load of money if you are waiting for a hip replacement. Or breast cancer drugs.

Make no mistake, by spending this money on trains instead of medicine, you are killing people.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

This gummint in thrall to Ad agencies

I want to get myself a little run about as a second car. I will be asking for, neigh, DEMANDING that it have sidebeefcurtainairstripbags.

I've not watched much telly lately, so have just seen that poor (exploited IMHO) brain-injured lass extolling the virtues of curtain airbags.

Who the FUCK dreamed up this campaign?
Not only are these twunts out of touch (I mean, who in middle earth can afford a NEW car these days, tell me) but they must all be having their tiny cocks sucked by folk who run ad agencies.

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/media/2008/080418.html

"The message to motorists is simple - if you want to maximise your safety you must choose a vehicle with a head-protecting airbag."
The high profile Land Transport NZ-ACC vehicle safety campaign gets underway this Sunday (20 April), with the launch of a disturbing new television ad depicting the debilitating effects of brain injuries suffered in crashes.

Er, I'll get round to it. Right after I've saved for my retirement, feed my children and paid the mortgage.

Okay, so it's ACC, so it's not coming directly out of my taxes...except that non-work related accidents are funded out of earner premium that adds 1.2% or something to my already 39% (marginal) tax rate. Hmmm....

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Tax Breaks for Rugby Players - Moffett (sp?)

Rugby is the best sport in the world. Any argument to the contrary is just Bullshit, as Phil would say.

But why the fuck would anyone think that pro rugby players need a tax break to remain in the country? Any rugby player who doesn't take the opportunity to play overseas in a numb-nuts (I obviously WON'T be revealing by true identity anytime soon).

I'm a pro accountant. I took the opportunity to account overseas. I am a different person because of it. Better, I hope.

Rugby opens doors for players who can come from any walk of life. They need to be encouraged to walk through some of those doors, not discouraged.

Unlike doctors, when a great rugby player steps aside/heads overseas, there is an eager youngster prepared (maybe "ready" is too strong a word) to step into his boots.

The same cannot be said for doctors: once a doctor is lost to NZ, we have to pinch another from an even poorer country than ours (or hope a British doctor comes for a holiday) otherwise there is only an administrator or cleaner to step up to the mark.

No, ALL fucking NZers need a tax break to encourage us to stay/come back, Mr Moffett, not just pro rugby players. This was on National State Radio this morning, so no link, can't find it on stuff or NZH.

Apparently Ireland has something in place. Good for them. They also have taxpayer funded EU nonsense money to pay for it, too, no doubt.

Related from Herald (no mention of Moffett or tax-breaks):

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/4/story.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10504314

Ford considers axing V8 Falcon

Spot the marketing gimick. Ford have been dropping the V* since I was a spotty teen.

Still better than a holden, though.

Brigitte Bardot on trial for Muslim slur

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4482961a1860.html

Poor France, once a fine country with fine traditions. Now it is attacked from within.

Why can't racial slurs just be dealt with by ridicule?

"I am fed up with being under the thumb of this population which is destroying us, destroying our country and imposing its acts," is the comment that is at issue.

I'm not sure that she wasn't talking about socialist gummints...

Monday, April 7, 2008

Blame Canada!

Dear God, this shower of socialist shit get all antsy over Canada buying an airport and whisking it off in the dead of night. God only knows what the populace (sorry I mean voters) will feel about this:



CHINA INFRASTRUCTURE FIRMS EYE VECTOR'S ASSETS
China's State Grid Corporation and Hong Kong's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings are eyeing bids for Vector's Wellington electricity network, reports the South China Morning Post. State Grid would lodge a bid later this week, reports the newspaper. Cheung Kong Infrastructure is Hong Kong's largest listed infrastructure company.

(from the Independent 07/04/08)

Sunday, April 6, 2008

policy network - new ideas for progressive politics

The conference is entitled:

"Progressive governance conference 2008. An inclusive globalisation: promoting prosperity for all"

Unbelievably, delegates at the conference's plush Grove Hotel just laughed and clapped as the Chilean finance minister talked about the "poetic justice" of the subprime crisis. What planet are these people on? Millions of people around the world are losing their homes and they laugh?

http://www.order-order.com/2008/04/questions-on-progressive-governance.html


How. Very. Inclusive. (Nicely paid for by the British Taxpayer, at a time when every household in Britain is already saddled with GBP74k in government debt.)

Socialists don't want the hoi poloi to aspire to home ownership (especially as there is a strong correlation between homeownership and voting blue). That want you to be clients of a benevolant state that provides housing for everyone. Of course the pigs (politicians) will get the apples and milk (diesel BMW limos, Kelburn mansions), whilst you and I can make do with one- or two-bedroomed apartments built on poorly rehabilated waste sites.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Eat (off) The Rich

I have just read this article:

The Wall Street Journal The Tax Threat to Prosperity By ARTHUR B. LAFFER January 25, 2008; Page A15

This juicy bit caught mt attention:
"Since 1980, statutory marginal tax rates have fallen dramatically. The highest marginal income tax rate in 1980 was 70%. Today it is 35%. In the year Ronald Reagan took office (1981) the top 1% of income earners paid 17.58% of all federal income taxes. Twenty-five years later, in 2005, the top 1% paid 39.38% of all income taxes."

Good onya, you "rich pricks". The article explains how lowering taxes at the top end has a dramatic effect on the level of avoidance.

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.music.artists.springsteen/browse_thread/thread/0ef1acde5d699b1f/517cd1ec3beb8e22

or

http://tinyurl.com/22v7pk

A great little video on the Laffer Curve:




Hat tip: NZBR (just catching up on reading their "Update" and "Perspectives" emails)

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Dirty Buggers

AIR NZ PASSENGER NUMBERS GROW
Air New Zealand passenger numbers grew 5.8% in January 2008 from the same month last year. Passenger numbers on long haul routes grew 11.7%, despite price adjustments made to reflect fuel increases and other operating costs.


Haven't they heard of global warming? LOL: it'll be all the folk heading to Aussie for a better life...

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Sean Plunket Stabs PM in the Face

Ha ha, "So, Prime Minister, there is no target for this policy" of helping people buy houses. Unfortunately, I not sure some listeners would realise why it's important, for fiscal responsibility reasons, to have targets when doling out taxpayer money...

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Um, But that's Mental

Police launch dawn raid on boy of 12 'over school fight'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=513478&in_page_id=1770


I received a great email joke the other day:

School 1960 vs. School 2007

Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1960 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up mates.
2007 - Police are called, SWAT team arrives and arrests Johnny and Mark. Mobiles with video of fight confiscated as evidence. They are charged with assault, AVOs are taken out and both are suspended even though Johnny started it. Diversionary conferences and parent meetings conducted. Video shown on 6 internet sites.

Scenario: Jeffrey won't sit still in class, disrupts other students.
1960 - Jeffrey is sent to the principal's office and given a good paddling. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. Counselled to death. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra funding because Jeffrey has a disability. Drops out of school.

Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1960 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. Psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mum has an affair with the psychologist. Psychologist gets a promotion.

Scenario: Mark, a college student, brings cigarettes to school .
1960 - Mark shares a smoke with the school principal out on the smoking area.
2007 - Police are called and Mark is expelled from School for drug possession. His car is searched for drugs and weapons.

Scenario: Vinh fails high school English.
1960 - Vinh goes to Remedial English, passes and goes to college.
2007 - Vinh's cause is taken up by local human rights group. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that making English a requirement for graduation is racist. Civil Liberties Association files class action lawsuit against state school system and his English teacher. English is banned from core curriculum. Vinh is given his Y10 anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.

Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers, puts them in a model plane paint bottle and blows up an anthill.
1960 - Ants die. 2007 - Security and ASIO are called and Johnny is charged with domestic terrorism. Teams investigate parents, siblings are removed from the home, computers are confiscated, and Johnny's dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again. Scenario: Johnny falls during recess and scrapes his knee. His teacher, Mary, finds him crying, and gives him a hug to comfort him. 1960 - Johnny soon feels better and goes back to playing.
2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces three years in prison. Johnny undergoes five years of therapy. Becomes gay.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Taxes and Benefits


"I may be an arrogant thieving fuckwit, but you, sir, are a rich prick" *

Transitioning to work for beneficiaries and the low-paid has been bollocks-ed up by the tax credits that governments pay these folk. It leaves them facing very high effective marginal tax rates.

In response to a post by Mr Vindico on welfare reform:

http://vindicovindico.blogspot.com/2008/02/ok-one-more.html

I wrote (numbers changed for NZ$):

How about this?

Make benefits tax-free.

For all other taxable income, the first $35k (hello, Sir Robert Jones) tax free, 30% thereafter.

Beneficiaries, however, have a special tax code that tax their income at the normal rates (zero to 35k) PLUS 30% "benefit payback" to $15k, 40% payback to $35k and 10% thereafter.

I have no idea what a benefit is worth, but the tax code could indicate to the payroll clerk how much maximum payback is. E.g. if you are on benefits worth $250 per week, then your tax code would ensure that you payback no more than $250 quid each week (tax code of "B250").
The normal entitlement rules apply to the benefit (again: I have no idea what these rules are for the various benefits), so if you are on a sickness benefit, you could start part at work part-time as you begin to get better. Once you are back full-time and no longer eligible, your benefit stops and your tax code reverts to normal. You would likely have been paying all of the benefit back anyway if you were earning more than $769 per week ($40k pa) back in your job.

I think, (but have no expert knowledge in this area) that it might aid transition back to work for beneficiaries, as they face a marginal tax rate of 30% or 40%.

It would also allow those who receive benefits for permanent illness, disability or injury to work part-time (where possible) in a simple manner. E.g., no forms to fill. You could work different hours each week, depending on how able you are that week: your "B" tax code takes care of the rest.

Okay, so I included a bit of income tax reform in there, too. And it would require all the bollocking tax credit thingies be converted to a benefit. Would that mean bringing back family benefit of $x per child per week? That would also be added to the "B" code max amount. I’ll have to think further on this…



* This refers to his desire to get his socialist hands all over my pay-packet, allegedly to help the poor and oppressed. But instead, he and his cronies go and spend it on BMWs and quangos. I do not mean to imply he is a thief in his personal life. Please don’t sue me, you cunt.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Silence of the Lambs


Europe’s çommissars have their hands up Millipede's arse "Hurro, I'd really ruve to sign your ruvry treaty that isn’t a constitution at all. Cuppa tea, what!"

Here in knizilind, bloggers picked up the Electoral Finance Bill (now, alas, Act) issue and ran with it. One of our major daily newspapers subsequently "got it" and crash tackled the gummint and supporting parties on it. They TWICE ran FRONTPAGE fucking EDITORIALS on the power-grab, gag-fest that is this law. The country was a-buzz with talk on "is it/ isn't it" an attack on democracy and free speech, designed to sustain the power base of the gang of four-plus-one (Liarbore, Green (who are, of course, bright shining red), United Future (both of them), Winston First and the bloke known as Progressive (yeah, right)).
The attention of the public was focused sharply upon the activities in parliament. The gummint had tried to pull a swifty, the MSM had (almost too late) noticed, the public sat up and watched, and Dear Leader looked as guilty as she was. It accelerated the decline of the people's party. The (unrelated) icing on the top of this rancid cake was the announcement that the gummint has elected to purchase a new fleet of BMW limos at the cost of $140,000 each (or much more, according to some reports) compared to the $76,000 cheap-and-cheerful Aussie limos.
New Zealand is a nation of sheep, but at least we got passionate about something for a while, other than the rugby (but, wa-hey, Super 14 only days away, go the 'Canes).
See here for Hone Harawira's superb speech:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10483104&pnum=0

But this was all piffle compared to the monumental catastrophe that the United Kingdom (nay, most of Europe) is goose-stepping toward: the EU Constitution. Sure, it's been rebranded the EU Treaty. But a Lincoln is still a Ford.
And the silence from the UK MSM is deafening. Starting on Tuesday, the British Parliament will begin the debate on ratification of the Treaty. The gummint has limited the amount of time available to debate the European Union (Amendment) Bill to 12 days. Opposition MP's demanded 18 days.
After the Bill becomes law and the gummint (and other European gummints) ratify the Treaty, Europe will have a new constitution.
It is a self-amending Treaty, which means that the constitution that governs the UK and its interactions with the EU can be changed without recourse to the UK parliament.
Crazy, huh? So powers, rights and responsibilities that the electorate vest in Members of Parliament every five years or so, will be handed to the EU governing bodies. Is this the European Parliament? No, not really: the main power brokers in the EU reside in the European Commission. You do not vote for the commissioners, but they alone have the power to initiate EU laws. The European Parliament can only debate amendments to bills passed before them.
Now, both Liarbore and the Fib Dems promised a referendum on the EU constitution. The constitution (in name) died after it was rejected by French and Dutch voters in referendums.
Hi-ho, a minor setback: the constitution document was rewritten as the treaty and amends the existing foundation treaties of the EU. The original constitution achieved the same outcomes, but by replacinge old treaties. Some of the language was toned down and they removed references to various symbolic items. But the underlying document sets out the same powers, obligations and competencies as the rejected constitution. The Liarbore and the Fib Dems are being somewhat disingenuous (I am refraining from using the phrase "lying stinking power-whoring cunts") in stating that it is not the constitution and thus their promises of a referendum have not been broken.
Quite why Liarbore (and Fib Dem) MPs are keen to give away the sovereignty of their parliament and country is unclear. Many suspect that it is a socialist plot (witness the tendency for the EU to regulate to death anything that is not banned outright) or an elitist conspiracy. Time will tell. In the meantime, a small band of Englishmen ready some lengths of rope and are seeking out strong, well-located lampposts.





What do we want? When do we FUCKIN' want it?!

I Do Not Like This Woman

Or this woman, who is unlikely to be the same one as above
Here she is casting a spell on some poor bloke.


Read here for one reason;

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Mendacious Cunt


For the EU you shall pay,
But "get fucked!" if you want your say,
May Gordon Brown rue the day,
That ordinary Britons he did betray,
Leaving them answerable to Jose,
His EU edicts we shall obey.
Whilst MPs sup at the celebratory buffet
How will history portray
When HE left democracy in disarray,
Not just England treated this way
On his conscious did not weigh
The final ceding and national decay
From a post shall his body sway?
I, for one, say, “Way hey!”



Is This The Final Descent into Madness? Goodbye England, Scotland, Wales, etc. Hello Airstrip One.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;jsessionid=0KWLJLAYEIGWTQFIQMGSFF4AVCBQWIV0?xml=/news/2008/01/26/neu126.xml

Here is a taste of what the EU parliament gets up to:

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/politics/danielhannan/jan08/despotisminparliament.htm

Friday, January 25, 2008

Fat Facts

I'm happy because I eat lard!

http://westonaprice.org/knowyourfats/index.html

The Final Solution


And it's so cunning, you could pin a tail on it, etc:




It's not clear that it results in scrapping the regressive poll tax that is the licencing fee...


Thursday, January 24, 2008

Fun



Thanks, Mike!

http://mikesamerica.blogspot.com/2007/01/unanswered-questions-about-nancy.html

Heros for a Modern Era

My new best friends!



Ils sont si drôles, I presque humide moi-même. Quelle honte je ne peux pas parler français ! Puits d'Oh !

Greens want cooking taught

My initial reaction was “Oh, frick-off you fricking nannies!”

But with the state insisting that "labour-unit factors of production" (people in English) work long hours to support the state*, there is little time for parents and children to spend together doing this stuff.

So maybe it is not a BAD idea (as an interim solution). I must say, I don’t remember anything I learnt in cooking.

So knuzilind is going the same way as the motherland:

http://dizzythinks.net/2008/01/when-did-we-stop-doing-these-things.html

http://nationofshopkeepers.wordpress.com/2008/01/22/for-you-fatty-the-home-economics-lesson-is-just-beginning/

*[climbs on high-horse] Those BMWs won't pay for themselves, people!

- High taxes means that some of us work longer/harder than we would choose in our personal “work/life” balance.
- I love the way that Kiwisaver is not set to pay out at 65, but at the age of entitlement to National Super. This is to stop you retiring at the age that you choose. If you are unable to work until you are entitled to YOUR OWN FREAKING MONEY, then you will become a client of the state.

Bastards! And Bankers...

RBNZ - OCR unchanged at 8.25 percent

http://www.rbnz.govt.nz/news/2008/3220868.html

I have a mortgage coming off 6.5% on 2 April and likely to go to 9.99%.

That's 3.5% extra in interest paid each year, so $3,500 extra for every $100k of loan. With a top marginal rate of 39% (12% of workers in NZ face this margin: they must be "Rich Pricks"), plus Employee ACC Levy of another approx 1%, I have to earn another $5,833.33 to tread water.
Me, I'm praying for a US recession: it's mainly their rates (plus and minus a risk margin, fricked-sideways by lenders giving money away in a wheeze called "sub-prime") that determine New Zealand fixed interest rates.

Thank you, you stupid bankers


Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Modern Environmentalists Do Not Exaggerate, surely?

Not content to ban the airborne plant food otherwise know as carbon dioxide, environmentalists want us to stop using plastic shopping bags. That's fine and all, but I'll have to buy plastic bin liners instead. Now, I like to think I'm a bit green:
  1. my family only own one car, 1600cc
  2. we live on a bus route (feasible if you are wealthy enough to pay extra for property handy to transport)
  3. we compost our kitchen scraps and garden waste
  4. we recycle (depending on the wind, up to 3 recycling bins go out each week)
  5. we use low-energy bulbs (only recently becoming aware of the mercury contained therein)
  6. when we can afford it (less often these days) we buy organic

BUT, big 'fessing up: as I am of Scottish descent, I would be motivated by financial consideration to adopt 1 to 5 ANYWAY, casting my economic vote in favour of solutions that save me money. Item 6 makes me feel good (mind you, so do 1 to 5).

But some folk are intent on reducing my choices in live, my freedoms, based on dubious science:

Why banning the bag is bogus:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/22/2143514.htm

Check out some of the comments. Hilarious!

PS If a greenie tells me he heats his house by burning stuff, should I kick him in the nads?

Thursday, January 17, 2008

A picture for an anon


And when ones hands are too dirty, these can be used to remove morsels from ones nasal passages.

Interest Rates, Gummint Spending

Hello Britain
Evan Davis has a thought provoking article on how interest rates work. There'll be a gong coming your way, Evan, as thanks for not mentioning "Govt expenditure" as one of the main components of spending that matter to monetary policy:

"In principle, there are only three main components of spending that much matter to monetary policy: consumer spending, business investment and exports and trade."

For the (not quite) full story:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/evandavis/2008/01/how_interest_rates_work.html

UPDATE:
Bugger, his comments have not been updated (on that post) since I submitted my comment, which was:

"In principle, there are only three main components of spending that much matter to monetary policy: consumer spending, business investment and exports and trade."

Err, there’s a big, fat UNPRODUCTIVE elephant in this room: government spending.
In my experience the MOST inflationary type of spending around. For every new/restructured quango, dept, commission or Ministry:
- employing staff (in competition to the productive sector and other govt depts)
- renting office space to house them (ditto)
- printing letterhead, designing corporate identity manuals
- building websites
- purchases/leasing computer networks and the installation thereof
- advertising
And, at the end of it, there is usually NOTHING to show for it at the end, except a whole lot of reports and recommendations that gather dust. This is UNPRODUCTIVE work. Conventional wisdom says improvements in productivity lifts national income. So ever increasing govt spending on marginal issues or pet projects tends to fuel inflation in wages, commercial rents, IT services, advertising. All these items are cost inputs to real businesses.