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!