A Few of my Least Favourite Things

Why exactly does it need a double axle? Don't they realise chrome went out years ago?

This one is endorsed by a Texan country music star - say no more!

The whole purpose of this blog was to enable me to get off my chest the annoyances that really grate me. I have been thinking about this for some time and decided to do a top ten of my least favourite things. This list will probably not surprise many who know me, and indeed it is not probably reflective of the level at which each of these things actually annoy me.

Anyway, I’ll start with this one – the American truck.

I could have focused purely on American cars – why? Because they are shite! They don’t look nice, are badly built, handle badly, etc. But that would be isolate the biggest part of the problem, the big Tonka truck monstrosities.

Let us consider them in detail. Firstly, they are gross, too big for NZ roads, in fact they are too big for most roads. They are fuel inefficient, designed, no doubt, for carrying buffalo that you have just shot on the plain, not for cruising around towns in the central north island. With their duff duff V8’s and chronic auto transmission they look foolish pulling away at traffic lights.

Why do people drive them? Who knows – the inadequacy in the trouser department theory springs to mind (big car to compensate for small manhood). Of course, they always have the fog lights on and have mirrors that would not look out of place on a Scania.

What is even more bizarre is what they actually buy - the list of their best sellers is quite comical! Taste, what taste?

So there, it’s out – I hate Yank pick up trucks!!

What is going on in the world?

The various uprisings around the globe have given me some uncomfortable thoughts, largely around the possibility that these could have been brought about by agencies outside those countries.

Looking closely at those countries, Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain and now Libya and Iran, could this be the case of another ‘Operation Cyclone’ but using peaceful protest as the catalyst. Another article questions the input of  Gene Sharp, especially by some regimes.


I truly hope that these are spontaneous events, but will wait for the Wiki leaks to prove otherwise!

Put down of the week

I really don't like George W. Bush, but his missus deserves a prize for this one!! The former First Lady had said in a much-publicised appearance on Larry King Live:

 "I sat next to her [Palin] once, thought she was beautiful. And I think she's very happy in Alaska - and I hope she'll stay there.

Palin has recently messed up (again) describing North Korea as an American Ally

It's official - the government doesn't care!

The Hobbit, a book by JRR Tolkein or a defining moment when workers rights were sold down the river by John Key and his merry men?

There are always two sides to any story, the left and the right (unions and employers), those directly affected, those who the issue will have no effect, those who care, those who don't - and those in NZ and those outside.


In today's NZ Herald there  appeared this poll - and from the early results the majority seem to think it is wonderful that the PM has forfeited the rights of workers and plans to pass a change in labour laws in under 24 hours to appease a Hollywood media giant. Contrast this with yesterday's comment piece, where many, particularly those from overseas, could see that New Zealand, well maybe not all the country but the government, was being played by big business. As Brian Rudman put it,

Not so long ago, the rest of the country guffawed at Wellington planning to rename itself Wellywood.

Now the whole country seems to have taken leave of its senses, demanding we rename New Zealand "Hobbiton" and elevate the Gnome of the Wairarapa, Sir Peter Jackson, to be our Lord and Master. Have we no sense of shame, or of the ridiculous?

On Monday, Samuel Parnell, the father of the eight-hour day, would have turned in his grave at the way the day set aside in his memory was desecrated. Up and down the land, crowds marched and rallied to pledge to be servile to a Hollywood movie conglomerate.

The story has not escaped other news sources (ITN for example) - so globally the people of NZ are seen as Kowtowing to 'save' the production of a movie; The Guardian used the headline 'Picking up the Bilbo'

Key is quoted as saying yesterday

"We will be moving to ensure that New Zealand law in this area is settled to give producers like Warner Bros the confidence they need to produce their movies in New Zealand,"

So they require 'confidence', not money?

So why the change from his earlier stance?

“We'll have to make an assessment about whether we think a clarification in the law would assist economically. If we do, then we might make some changes,”

 So from a might to changing law in 24 hours. And as John Armstrong pointed out today

What kind of a country, however, sells its democratic soul for 30 pieces of silver?
The answer is a small one. And one where the economy shows little sign of recovery in the short term.

As I said before there are lots of sides to every story - lets examine those -

1. So the actors wanted more money? Well they actually wanted the same powers as every other worker, the opportunity to seek a collective agreement in terms of wages and contract conditions - nearly every other group in the country has this, be they doctors, nurses, teachers and policemen. The actors wanted the same deal and were vilified as 'corrupt' and 'uncaring'. So an overseas film company can dictate what rights employees in a sovereign nation - so if a New Zealand company want to runs their business in a uniquely 'Kiwi' way, they'd be encouraged to do so and the laws of that country changed to meet their needs?
2. The film was already a done deal? Well actually no; MGM is broke, the original director walked away and the project is well behind schedule.
3. It isn't about money? Warner's have stated that the budget was US$500 million; now two years ago that would = NZ$1 billion; with exchange rate movements that figure is nearer NZ$1.5 billion - New Zealand is no longer a cheap option (although our pay rates are far less). One bonus California has over NZ is the ability to use non-union labour, a great way of keeping costs down, and if you can achieve the same in New Zealand....
4. But the tourists won't come to New Zealand! Prove it - tourists came in their droves before The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed here and they will continue to come freely long after. Some come for scenery, some for adventure, many to see ex-pat family.
5. Everyone wants the movie here? Well not me if it means workers lose their rights!

Another slant could be added to this; this government has been openly challenging to unions, pro-employers and only too happy to court the popular vote on every occasion. If you had asked me yesterday i would have said this debacle could have been the National governments downfall, instead they may have played their joker and actually picked up support - but wait till the full picture come out.

Horror and atrocities on day time TV

Todays sermon is not for those with a weak stomach - I give you that warning well in advance of what is to come!!


Why am I blowing off steam today? Well, those buggers at the Disney Channel have clearly over stepped the mark. My kids regrettably indulge in watching the drivel they serve up in a daily basis. Whilst it is normally mind numblingly dull, with stereotype characters, usually white, middle class, pure (the South Park skit on the Jonas Brothers is a classic episode) and never offensive - unless of course you are me.



Of course the Disney organisation is a global one, but with a very 'American' focus. It is not without critique, see this article - there are some interesting links too. Movies such as the Lion King, Pocahontas and Alladin have all bee criticized for being overtly racist.



The item is question is the dreadful Hannah Montana Forever - -here we see the mildly irritating Miley Cyrus in an episode (no. 91)  where the Disney Organisation does it best to cheer up all those little children whose 'moms and pops' are in Afghanistan or Aye Rack (I think that maybe be somewhere near Iraq).



Attempting to brainwash small kids with images of soldiers and their parents, a storyline revolving around a boy whose father is serving the good cause there and generally giving a one eyed slant on the world is far worse than any overt or covert racial undertones. Filling those impressionable heads with the concept that America is good and everyone else is evil is nauseating. War is not a good thing, America, you are not Team America World Police.