Scalia

Taking Sex Seriously

2011-02-25T10:42:00.000+13:00

Psychology Today has a piece On the Seriousness of Sex. In it Michael W. Austin explains why there are reasons for thinking that sex is not mere recreation:

For some people, the claim that there is something serious or significant about sex will seem obviously true. For others, the alleged truth of this claim is not so clear. One contemporary philosopher has offered up the notion that perhaps we ought to see sexual exclusivity and romantic love as separate entities. One consequence of this is that we could love one person and be committed to that relationship, but have merely sexual relationships with many other people as well. The idea is that we should view sex as we currently view sharing a meal. Neither is that big of a deal.

It is clear that some people opt for this sort of approach to sexuality and love, but the deeper question is whether or not it is wise to do so. It is unwise to view sex too casually. Having sex is unlike sharing a meal with another person in many ways, and some of them are morally and psychologically significant.

To see why this is the case, consider the following argument from Matthew Flanagan:
Children cannot, either by themselves or by proxy, give valid consent to sexual intercourse.
Children can give consent, by themselves or by proxy, to casual recreational activities.
Therefore, sex is not merely a casual recreational activity.
This is an interesting argument, because it brings out the seriousness and significance of sex (see the comments at MandM if you're interested in some critical discussion of the argument; the argument needs a bit of work but it makes the point that it is intended to make, I think).

Of course sex is fun and pleasurable, but [more...]

Oh Christchurch!

2011-02-24T08:42:00.000+13:00

My fellow Cantabrians are suffering a disaster unprecedented in New Zealand in my living memory. New Zealand's heart is in Christchurch.

Vote for the Hottest Kiwi Female Blogger of 2011

2011-02-14T16:25:00.005+13:00

Blogging NZ chicks are getting hotter. In alphabetical order, the finalists are:

Vote in the poll on the sidebar. Leave your comments as to why you voted the way you did below.

New Zealand Election Called

2011-02-02T18:53:00.000+13:00

No dodging media or playing games Prime Minister Key lays his cards on the table and volunteers 26 November 2011 as election day. I like a PM who knows his mind. I like one even better who emphatically and categorically refuses to deal with Winston.

Ten Year Old Gives Birth - Her Mother Doesn't Get the Fuss

2010-11-04T16:02:00.000+13:00

The mother of the new young mom said it was not unusual for girls in their native country of Romania to have babies when they are as young as ten-years-old. It is not considered to be too young there, she claimed.

Tiger Woods to Convert to Islam

2010-01-07T12:07:00.003+13:00

Obama’s plan for Sharia Law may benefit someone. Swiped from the Gunny G Blog.

In a stunning new development, the Tiger Woods legal team has unveiled an ingenious strategy to help the randy golfer avoid the rough in his recent marital problems and possibly skip a financial bloodbath. The answer is surprisingly found in the doctrines of Muslim Shari’ah law. This solution presented itself when Obama czars and other legal gurus, such as “Papa” Cass Sunstein, and Harold “Koo-Koo” Koh suggested importing Muslim law into America. Intrigued, legal experts across the gamut now agree Muslim laws on marriage make perfect sense for the indefatigable romeo Tiger Wood and his web of female relationships, claiming it will also play well to the gallery.

With the Obama Administration’s relentless march to universalize American law along global standards, it seems like a very heady time for Wood’s team to make a play on this bold maneuver. Tiger’s legal squad has brought in several prominent Muslim doctors of law to advise on the implications of Islamic teachings on the subject of his marriage and multiple other dangerous liaisons. Mike Tyson is also flying in to offer advice and support.
The following are the findings and recommendations of these august Muslim divines:

TIGER’S ISLAMIC CONVERSION
First, and most essentially – Tiger Woods’ must come out and publicly proclaim he is in fact a Muslim convert. This will immediately and legally put Tiger under the teachings of Muhammad, and allow him to follow the founder of Islam’s prescient example of polygamy. Apparently, Mohammad also boasted a world-class drive, having somewhere between 10 and 20 wives. Announcing his conversion via a TV news conference, preferably between rounds at the Riyadh Classic, would be an excellent approach to be able to stress the authenticity and sincerity of his conversion. He might enlarge here upon his Road to Damascus narrative to explain his epiphany. Doing so in native Middle Eastern garb, say in a tunic or a classic turban would be seen as a tasteful decision, while several authorities stressed that Woods’ donning a Burqa would be “a big mistake.”
Most intriguingly,
even if Tiger’s use of Shari’ah law were blocked by US courts, he could still position himself for a comeback. In classic Muslim law doctrine, Shari’ah has global application to all Muslims at all times, no matter where in the world they reside. In fact, it wouldn’t matter if Tiger was living in the States when all his testosterone-fired scores occurred, he would still be covered. This means Woods’ does not need to get stuck in the high grass of American law, whatsoever.
ISLAMIC MARRIAGE & POLYGAMY
The most obvious advantage of conversion to Islam for Tiger is the doctrine of polygamy. Marriage in Islam is Nikah, a word synonymous with polygamy. In fact, the idea that betrothal is defined by monogamy is foreign to Muslim law, despite the fact that many marriages in Islam are solitary unions (normally for the husband’s lack of funds to support more wives). For this reason, the Western concept of Adultery does not exist under Shari’ah law, and therefore can’t be used as a basis for subsequent legal action by a wife. This is because no single woman ever has exclusive rights to a Muslim man under the law. To the contrary, a Muslim woman has no such excuse, and her indiscretions with other men are harshly punished, even up to death by stoning, as grievous religious dereliction.
This lack of adultery as a category certainly would help Tiger, from the first stroke of the game. One can even envisage Woods giving a press conference, along with an imam, as a teaching exercise, explaining these helpful facts. In terms of open-mindedness on potentially marriageable partners, it doesn’t hurt that Mohammad wed his stepson’s wife, after outlawing adoption for all times, and also wed a girl somewhere between the ages of 5 and 7, who grew up to become his favorite date, after she hit puberty, of course.
In Islam, a man may marry up to four wives at a time, if he believes he can treat them all equally. Certainly this doctrine offers a grand slam benefit to Tiger, who has been credibly linked to enough ladies to provide a new partner for each of 18 holes. In fact, his great wealth will give the presumption of equal treatment for all. Of course this Quranically excessive number would seem to create legal problems, but with some clever Muslim jurisprudential advice, there are blessed strategies which can address this seeming technical violation of female abundance (see below).
In general, marriage in Islam is not a sacrament, but a simple civil ceremony, and no religious official or language is needed to solemnize the event. Instead, Muslim marriage is a simple contract that can be entered into and dissolved at the drop of a hat, or unwinding of a turban, as the case may be. Again, the lack of a religious component here can only aid Tiger’s attempts to get a fair shot rehabilitating his tattered image.
MANAGING MORE THAN FOUR WOMEN
For many traditional Muslim men, being allowed just four(!) wives could be a depressant to the libido (although, conversely it could prove a bargain for reducing inter-wife domestic disputes). But fortunately there are various options that can open the door to more female ministrations This may prove especially helpful to Tiger Woods (who deeply resents being termed “caddy” over his extramarital forays). First, and most helpfully, while an upstanding Muslim may have only four(!) wives at any one time, there is theoretically no limit to how many spouses that can be married, as long as the others have been divorced to make room for the up-and-comers (see below). In this case, at any time, Tiger may call for a “mulligan,” or a do-over, by dumping and replacing an unwieldy spouse.
Second, there is an institution in Islam of great antiquity called “Temporary Marriage,” or “Nikah al-Mut’ah.” A Temporary Marriage can last anywhere from an hour to 99 years. Even better, the admitted purpose of Mut’ah, according to the Dictionary of Islam, is for sexual fulfillment of the male, which plays splendidly into Woods’ current situation. And there is no maximum number of Mut’ahs a righteous Muslim may enter into (note, whereas Sunnis have outlawed Mut’ah, the Shiahs still allow it; yet a “special arrangement” can still create the simulacrum of Mut’ah for a Sunni.)
Prostitution is also accepted widely in many places in the Muslim world, which could help Woods’ immediate troubles in New York, where he is supposedly under threat of arrest and prosecution for engaging a hooker for a fee. Here he would simply claim a cultural right to such actions, under the doctrine of Multiculturalism.
Yet one category of female lover out of classic Muslim law would probably not aid Tiger in marital troubles, and so he ought not bring it up. This is the concubine, or sexual slave. Under Shari’ah, a conquered people were allowed to be treated as objects. The men were normally executed, the women treated as concubines, and the children raised up as slaves as various types; giving a novel meaning to the phrase “booty of war.”
DIVORCE – THE TRIPLE REPUDIATION
Certainly, the ideal situation now for Tiger would be for Mrs. Woods’ to become the Chief Wife of his household and director of his harem. But what if this tempestuous Swedish spitfire balks, or worse – slams another putter right between his Pepsodent smile?!! Divorce is an option for either spouse at this point, but eminently easier for Tiger than his lovely flaxen-haired bride. This is because of the doctrine of divorce or Talaq, by way of the Triple Repudiation.
In Muslim law, divorce of a man from one of his wives does not take a judicial ruling, or in fact any action by a court at all. It follows that Muslim law contains the most “no-fault” theory of divorce under any legal system. This is because the only action needed for an upstanding Muslim to divorce his wife is his reciting the Triple Repudiation, or reciting to his wife, “I divorce thee, I divorce thee, I divorce thee”. If a Muslim husband recites all three to his wife, the effect is instantaneous, and universally binding, even if he were to immediately repent of his actions. And he cannot remarry her without her wedding and divorcing another man, first. But Mohammad sensitively encouraged waiting three ovulatory periods for possible reconciliation before the divorce was acted upon. (the three Tuhrs; Qur’an 2: 230)
Woods needs to be careful at this juncture, since the triple repudiation represents a real sand trap. If he repudiates his wife twice, as perhaps a scare tactic, were he accidentally to say it a third time, even playfully, it goes into affect, by ipsis verbis (as spoken, so done, via automatic writ), even if unintentional. This is because the Western judicial doctrine of intent, ie “mens rea” does not hold the same level of importance in Muslim law as it does in the Anglo-American legal tradition. For example, one can enter a marriage while fully intoxicated, and it still be binding under Shari’ah, so that intent or state of mind has no import under such a scenario. Talk about a wet hazard!
Ms. Woods also has a right to demand a divorce, although only for cause. This can occur either through mutual consent or by writ of court, but cannot happen via sheer verbal fiat. Ironically, the woman then has to pay the husband for right to divorce. This might hit Woods’ wife harder than a triple bogey.
MUSLIM DIVORCE & MARITAL PROPERTY
Under cultural practice, a dower is properly given by the man to the woman to help cement a marriage, being a gift of cash or property. Under Muslim law it is ruled proper that upon dissolution of the marriage, the woman be allowed to keep this dower as her marital property. This works perfectly for Woods, who had already arranged such a gift and agreement in the form a prenuptial contract. Of course, Mohammad did richly encourage his followers to provide amply for their children, no matter who the mother might be, under the doctrine of Al-Nafaqah. But under Muslim law, Tiger will be best able to avoid his wife taking a large divot out of his fortune.
ANALYSIS
From an Islamic legal perspective, to make the best of his female relationships and to be most pleasing Muslim husband to Allah, Tiger should take these steps. First, declare himself a strict Muslim, most advisedly on TV with his legal team, wearing a tasteful hijab and holding a Qur’an. Second, he needs to pick a sect of Islam, which without a second thought should be the Shia’hs since they legally accept Temporary Marriages. Third, he ought to quickly begin negotiations, and settle which are the best girlfriend choices to become his official four wives. He might even arrange a sudden-death playoff for his squad. Then, work out quick agreements with the rest to enter into Temporary Marriages, and get them their payments and a signed contract, ASAP. Finally, the most delicate part of the whole operation must take place. Tiger must try to convince his wife of the beauty of Islam, and how he needs her help in running his empire and harem. Undoubtedly, you could have heard a pin drop when she first heard the news of his amorous activities. And if that doesn’t work, he should triply repudiate her, pay off her dowry, and move on as soon as possible, so he can kick Jack Nicklaus’ infidel rump and become Best Golfer Ever, in the name of Allah.
CONCLUSION
As anyone can easily see, the only logical option for Tiger Woods to take in dealing with his current female troubles is to convert to Islam. And the sooner, the better!

Save the Whale

2009-12-27T23:18:00.002+13:00

Lady consequence appears to have caught up with Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater for his breach of name suppression orders.

I think Peter put it best:

Whale Oil finally ends up in court, and asks the obvious question:
Any Pro-Bono Lawyers Out There

He'll get convicted for sure but it will be fun to watch and it will be sure to raise the right questions which is probably why the police charged him, I'm sure they dislike name suppression as much as Whale Oil does.

Lord Monckton on Climategate

2009-12-16T18:42:00.000+13:00

Says it all really.

On Getting Guy Fawkes

2009-11-06T13:10:00.000+13:00

With Hone and Rodney's antics of late, I am really starting to get Guy Fawkes in a contemporary Tim Selwyn-esque way.

Provocation

2009-10-30T09:53:00.000+13:00

If the father had caught the bastard who raped his 8 year old in front of his 6 year old and given him what he deserved, would y'all be happy with him being branded a murderer for life? Would the fact he'd be able to have his lawyer push for a lighter sentence be sufficient for justice to be done?

We need provocation to remain on the books for cases like this.

Taito Phillip Field

2009-08-05T18:03:00.000+12:00

Surely no one is surprised by the verdicts? Yes he had the balls to stand up to Helen but the police would never have dared push so hard against a sitting MP if they did not have have a solid case. The sheer number of charges spoke volumes.

I wonder though does the fact Field saw out his third term mean that he'll get all the baubles and cherries for life that are but one of the myriad of perks MP's get from the taxpayer? Free travel, free taxis, free whatever they get after 3 terms in office.

Death for Weatherston

2009-07-24T15:56:00.000+12:00

Death for Clayton Weatherston is what I say. This case is but another example as to why we should bring the death penalty back.

What say you?

Michael Jackson's Love Child

2009-07-23T09:48:00.000+12:00

Seen on Michael Jackson News:

It has been alleged that Norwegian dancer Omer Bhatti is seeking a DNA test to see if he is in fact the son of the legendry King of Pop.

The Sun newspaper has reported that Jackson told friends that Bhatti was born after a one night stand in 1984 and the 25 year old is now said to be seeking whether Jackson is indeed his biological father.

During Jacko’s memorial service, Bhatti can clearly be seen in the front row alongside the Thriller singer’s immediate family, including brother Jermaine and younger sister Janet.

Standing up to Bullies

2009-06-28T00:35:00.000+12:00

MandM have had to deal with school bullying first hand and have blogged about their journey over recent months. Today they took a brave step and named the school, Henderson's Liston College, as part of their attempts to expose the school's poor response towards bullying.

It is easy to be shocked at the serious beatings but until you are faced with it you tend to not think about the psychological impact of even the smallest of assaults. TV and movie stars brushing off harrowing events in macho-istic displays of heroism have numbed us. The workplace has become ridiculously over protective of workers yet somehow students in schools are expected to take what none of us would. Teenagers are very cruel when they get away with it.

Freedom and Iran

2009-06-18T10:46:00.000+12:00

Countries like Iran, whose governments believe they have a handle of the truth, think that possession of truth means they can suppress all wrong.

This all goes along swimmingly until the great truth the country is based on becomes increasingly unvalued and questioned.

Surely it is better for truth to have dissent permitted? For how else can we know and value truth?

If one is so sure one has the truth then one has nothing to fear from allowing dissent because dissent and debate all help us, if we are honest, to see truth more clearly and to value it more dearly.

If you think it is only countries like Iran that need heed freedom of truth think again.

And the Award for Stating the Obvious Goes to...

2009-06-06T13:37:00.000+12:00

Joe Karam in the first press conference outside the courtroom following David Bain being found not-guitly:

"I couldn't have continued in this fight without David"

No shit Sherlock.

Boring Budget

2009-06-02T16:01:00.000+12:00

For those of you, like me, who found this budget boring and reeking far too much of National's apparent tactic of trying to be all things to all men I give you this from Peter Wilson:

When a new government takes office and decides remedial economic action is needed, strategy usually focuses on getting it out of the way as quickly as possible.
Swift implementation, it is hoped, will mean that in three years' time voters will have either forgotten about it or become used to it.
A good example was the "mother of all budgets" that followed National's election win in 1990, although in that case it had such far-reaching effects that despite having the longest possible recovery period the party only just managed to retain power in the 1993 election.
Finance Minister Bill English has taken a course opposite to the one dictated by political wisdom -- his next two budgets, by his own admission, will very likely be more severe than the one he presented on Thursday. more

Reds in New Zealand's Bed

2009-05-04T12:50:00.000+12:00

This is very concerning.

Today I discovered New Zeal which has a wealth of information that every person concerned with freedom should read such as this piece Cuba's Kiwi Fifth Column:

New Zealand has a significant pro-Cuban 5th column-mainly drawn from the local socialist movement.

Many were members of the now defunct Communist Party of NZ (pro- Albania), the Socialist Action League (Trotskyist, pro-Cuba), Workers Communist League (pro-China), or Socialist Unity Party (pro-Soviet).

Many are members or supporters of NZ's modern communist parties-Communist League, Socialist Worker, Socialist Aotearoa, the "mainstream" Socialist Party of Aotearoa, or the crypto-communist Alliance Party.
The NZ Committee to Free the Cuban Five has been campaigning to get the Obama administration to release the Cuban Five-captured Castro spies incarcerated in the US since 1998.

Their latest stunt was on April 8th when committee members tried to deliver a support letter to the US embassy in Wellington.
It continues with a list of high profile New Zealanders.

G20 Cheese

2009-04-03T19:14:00.000+13:00

Seen on The Appalling Strangeness:

This "... is either the picture of a group of serious political leaders finding a solution to grim economic times, or a bunch of titwits hamming it up for the camera. I just can't work out which."

Faith and Reason with Steve Kumar

2009-03-16T13:47:00.000+13:00

Seen on Thinking Matters Auckland's website:

What: Dr Steve Kumar speaking on Faith and Reason

When: Tuesday 17th March – 7:00pm

Where: Lecture Room 2, Laidlaw College, 221 Lincoln Rd, Henderson, West Auckland

Format: Talk followed by questions, answers and discussion.

Cost: Free!

For almost thirty years Dr Kumar has been actively involved in speaking and writing about apologetics, philosophy and faith. As a New Zealand Christian apologist, he is a sought-after speaker in academic and church settings around the world. He is a frequent guest on television, radio, and news media programs and is an influential voice on issues that relate to the credibility of the Christian truth claims.

Recession Work Policies

2009-03-14T16:38:00.000+13:00

Stolen from BIG NEWS:

Here a way to cut down costs and tighten up in a recession.

Dress Code:
1) You are advised to come to work dressed according to your salary.
2) If we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci bag, we will assume you are doing well financially and therefore do not need a raise.
3) If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a raise.
4) If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and therefore you do not need a raise.

Sick Days:
We will no longer accept a doctor's statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

Personal Days:
Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called Saturdays & Sundays.

Bathroom Breaks:
Entirely too much time is being spent in the toilet. There is now a strict three-minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of three minutes, an alarm will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, the stall door will open, and a picture will be taken. After your second offence, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under the 'Chronic Offenders' category. Anyone caught smiling in the picture will be sectioned under the company's mental health policy.

Lunch Break:
* Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more, so that they can look healthy.
* Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure.
* Chubby people get 5 minutes for lunch, because that's all the time needed to drink a Slim-Fast.

Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to provide a positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions, comments, concerns, complaints,frustrations, irritations, aggravations, insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternation and input should be directed elsewhere.

The Management

Time to Play the Name Game

2009-03-01T06:27:00.000+13:00

It's meme time. This time it's a name game.

1. YOUR REAL NAME:
Anatole Scalia

2. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's middle name and the name of the person who tagged you)
Lynley Jen

3. NASCAR NAME: (first name of your mother’s dad, father’s dad)
Richard Graham

4. STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name)
Scaan

5. DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Green Platypus

6. SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, town where you were born)
Maynard Aberdeen

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add “THE” to the beginning)
The Black Fanta

8. FLY NAME: (first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name)
Ania

9. GAMER NAME: (1st pet’s name, street you grew up on)
Fluffy Queen

10. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 3 letters of last name plus "izzle")
Scaizzle

11. YOUR EMO NAME: (black, the name of one of your pets, then add any word that means "crying" to the end)
Black Spot Sobbing

12. ROMANCE NOVELIST PSEUDONYM: (name of your fav perfume/cologne, fav candy)
Calvin Pebbles

13. INDIAN NAME: (what is the wind doing?+ what time of day is it?)
Howling Morning

14. NAME OF THE BLOG THAT TAGGED YOU (don't forget the link luv)
What Jen Finds

15. NAMES OF 5 BLOGGERS YOU TAG (pick people you haven't picked for any meme before)
Kiwi Polemicist
Crusader Rabbit
MandM
The Standard
Capitalism bad, Tree pretty

Shooting Bill

2009-02-20T08:46:00.000+13:00

Taken from The Thorndon Bubble:

Will somebody please shoot Bill English? Like, now?! Before he destroys us all?!
Gawd, imagine if Cullen had suggested this? We wouldn't have protests, we'd have militias. I'm still not sure that isn't a rational response to this suggestion.

Nobody is Talking about You

2009-02-12T17:43:00.000+13:00

Taken from Earth is my Favourite Planet:

“When I was in my 30’s I worried about what people thought about me. In my 40’s, I tried not to worry about what people thought about me. Now I’m in my 50’s and I realize that nobody was ever thinking about me to begin with.”

Lest we Forget - It's Only been a Few Months!

2009-01-26T16:32:00.000+13:00

Helen Clark has been named as the Greatest Living New Zealander. The top five contenders were:

Helen Clark - 3163 votes
Willie Apiata - 2645 votes
Sir Murray Halberg - 1467 votes
Peter Jackson - 1340 votes
Peter Snell - 1041 votes

As NZ Conservative point out, "Stalin has just been named one of the greatest Russians ever."

Says it all really. No wonder Labour kept getting re-elected.

The Obama Doctrine

2008-12-04T12:20:00.000+13:00

Silent Running on Obama aka Skippy

Another historic first. Skippy* just might become the first US President to recipitate a war before even taking the oath of office. Nice.

[* - Somehow, it just fits as a tag handle for Barry O. Think that’s what I’m going to use from now on to refer to ‘the one’]

Bitchfest Alert

2008-11-22T13:51:00.000+13:00

Cactus Kate and MandM's Madeleine are at war. See the comments section for ground zero.

As predicted, 'in a mud fight Cactus Kate might get Madeleine' (Madeleine does appear to be holding her own though), 'but Madeleine'd take out Cactus Kate with one arm tied behind her back in a battle of wits.'

Told you so.

Vote for the Hottest Female Blogger

2008-11-16T14:48:00.000+13:00

NotPC did a post recently on the hot female candidates in the election.

I thought it would be equally not PC to do a blog on the hot, right-wing female kiwi bloggers.

After a perusal I have settled on 3 finalists.

In alphabetical order:

BustedBlonde from Roarprawn

Hot, busty and blonde and look at her ride that lobster.

Cactus Kate from Asian Invasion.

Blonde, well made up, fun and self-assured.

Madeleine from MandM

Sexy brunette, sharp analytical mind and confident, (she is the only one who uses her own photo).
[update: I am reminded that Madeleine is now blonde]

So now I leave it to you to vote.

Which of the 3 finalists is the hottest right wing female blogger? Comment below and use the poll to the right.

Vote Today

2008-11-08T09:54:00.001+13:00

Make sure you vote today!

No vote? No whinging.

Is Winston Really an Alien?

2008-11-01T12:11:00.000+13:00

Sunny O has a thing for lycra and fishnets (and Winston and Aliens):

Without a shred of evidence - I am certain of this.
Winston will already have been approached by the Dancing with the Stars people. They'd have to give him Rebecca (the others would be too tall). He's probably declined because I can't see him in skin tight fishnet shirts (more to the point, I won't watch that).But I am certain he's been approached.Sas' Magical Mystery Tour: separated at birth: #2

Aliens will fix world's problems - later today.
Relax, it's all going to be fine, a psychic called Blossom Goodchild says so., In fact, she says that benign aliens will "come in love", today, and sort things out for us. Possibly with vibrators. I only hope they're really hot & wearing lycra.Aliens to arrive today - psychic - Stuff.co.nz

Are the Greens Really Green?

2008-10-27T16:48:00.000+13:00

Mr Tips makes a very interesting observation.

Can ANYONE provide evidence of a piece of legislation promoted and promulgated through Parliament by the Green party that ACTUALLY deals with the environment or Green causes?

You see, I can't find one. Of course, the Emission's Trading Scheme is a Labour invention.

Coupled with David Farrar's post showing how the Greens would like to ban life in general, one can only come to the following conclusion:

THE GREEN PARTY IS EITHER INCOMPETENT OR THEY ARE LIARS AND ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN PASSING LEGISLATION TO SOOTH THEIR OWN TROUBLED CONSCIENCES.

They cannot be anything else, because as an agent for the environment, they suck... completely.

Do NZ Banks Need a State Guarantee?

2008-10-24T12:26:00.000+13:00

Taken from Lost Soul:

ANZ National Bank, the country's biggest bank, reported a profit of NZ$1.16b after tax for the year to 30 September 2008 (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4737543a13.html), down only slightly from the year before.

Westpac NZ reported a profit of NZ$462m, up from NZ$348m, for the 9 months to September 2008 (http://westpac.co.nz/olcontent/olcontent.nsf/AttachmentsByTitle/KIS_PDF_NZ/$FILE/KIS+NZ+Jun+2008.pdf).

BNZ reported a profit of NZ$657m for the same period, up 9% from the year before (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4734788a13.html).ASB reported a profit of NZ$515m, down slightly from the previous year, for the year to 30th June (http://www.asb.co.nz/story8753.aspx?cat=3).

That's 90% of the NZ banking sector covered by those figures.Sound like business as usual? Pretty much. But, if you believe the hype, there is such a financial crisis going on that these big banks can't get by without a Crown guarantee of their deposits and other liabilities.

The Australian parents of the NZ four, the so called four pillars of the Australian banking also remain profitable, the odd hiccup not wiping out profits let alone capital.

While the banks and their creditors have been told they are expected to weather adversity without government assistance, now they are being given assistance when they don't even need it!

During times of financial and banking stress, weaker and worse managed banks fail or are taken over by stronger ones, and funds move to higher quality banks. This is exactly what has happened during this time of financial stress, in text-book fashion, yet the authorities are crying wolf and using the stress as an excuse to regulate, intervene and interfere.

I have a message for the saviours of the financial system: stop bluffing and posturing, and use this as an example of the kind of stress financial institutions are expected to weather without government assistance

Faith and Reason a Defence

2008-10-19T21:16:00.000+13:00

MandM give a great, basic, defence of the possibility of faith and reason being compatible.

MandM: Faith and Logic

Not a Spambot

2008-10-17T17:11:00.000+13:00

I am out of suspicion.

Blogger have lifted me from investigation.

Under Investigation

2008-10-09T17:59:00.000+13:00

Have a blog wildly critical of the Labour party and Blogger puts you under investigation for having a spam blog?

First its knives if your lawn, now this!

Pondering the New Zealand Election

2008-10-08T02:12:00.000+13:00

Its one month til voting day and I am still deciding on who to vote for.

I have strong environmental concerns but I am not sure if the Greens are the vehicle to stand behind.

I have strong economic concerns but can National really fix the problem and will ACT be strong enough to make sure they do?

I have strong social concerns but do the Christian parties really get how the state works?

I have a month to decide.

Financial Panic? What panic?

2008-09-30T14:47:00.000+13:00

From NZ Conservative

[Update Tuesday 930am, Bail-out rejected Wall Street Crashes 750 points]Pat yourself on the back. You've just become a historical footnote.Are you feeling "financially distressed"? Well, if not you should be. You should be either "distressed" or "panicked". Distress is what you feel after a speculative bubble implodes but panic is what you experience when what you though was the bottom turns out to be a ledge over a chasm. I'm reluctant to look down.

Neville Bennett of the National Business Review has done us the kind service of comparing financial "panics". Yes, it's a "panic". Of all panics from 1847 to 1929, Bennett asserts that 2008 is most similar to 1929 because of the relentless train of morbid news and annihilation of landmark institutions such as Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch.In other words, recollect yourself and prepare dusty anecdotes for future grandchildren, you've just passed through the most volatile week (Monday 22) of the most turbulent year since 1929.This week is the week after the week before and there's no guarantee of a solution.

The proposed $700billion intervention, called a bail-out by some, a buy-in by others, is the biggest US Government action since the Depression. It goes to Congress vote on Monday. There are rumours fizzing around on the details and some are addressed at this link "Myth vs Fact". [Update 940pm, here is the 110pg discussion draft]I don't know what to think, it's bewildering, more so if you also recall the baby-boomers are coming up to retirement age en masse and we, their children, are meant to be creating wealth at a level to sustain their long-assumed retirement incomes. This time around our "depression" will be on Facebook.

Familiarise yourself with past panics, crashes, and financial imbroglios:Panic of 1873.Panic of 1893.Panic of 1907.Crash of 1929.

Now might be a good time to look your finances in the eye and reorganise.

I certainly ain’t feeling blue

2008-08-25T08:08:00.000+12:00

From Phil's Blog
Call me pink, I certainly ain’t feeling blueSeptember 24th, 2008

Many of you will be surprised (or have some other emotion) that the Financial Advisers Bill has been passed before the election. Commerce Minister Lianne Dalziel made it clear that was her intention and many doubted her.

I didn’t. I reckon there will be plenty of other political surprises in the next month and a half – the biggest one of course will be a Labour victory. I haven’t written them off and, yes I’m a bit of a lone wolf in this industry of ours, suggesting that Helen Clark could well be leading the next government.

One of the contrary things is that the finance industry tends to be reasonably conservative (no social concscience I hear in the background!) Quite a few people are highly active within National, others were unlikely enough to have their names included in Nicky Hagar’s book The Hollow Men. But the reality the Clark-led governments have been great for us. Why would you get rid of them?

I have no idea what National stands for or what it would do to help savings (other than its panacea for everything – tax cuts) and absolutely not a clue what it thinks of KiwiSaver.
Labour on the other hand has a long list of achievements starting with the NZ Super Fund, moving through to providing certainty around the state pension (for the record it is NZ Super NOT National Super), KiwiSaver, tax changes including the PIE regime (which is massive for us) and now more regulation around the advisory sector.

You could argue few industries have had more support and encouragement over the past nine year than savings.

I would have thought with these sorts of achievements the savings industry should be cheering on Labour.It’s hard to get excited about what National has to offer, as we just don’t know. There is talk that it would cut back the employer contribution for KiwiSaver. That wouldn’t win it too many friends and from my perspective as an employer I’m happy helping my team.

Feel free to comment!

Fiscal Crisis

2008-08-18T18:25:00.000+12:00

You have probably heard about the world’s financial crisis which has unveiled over the last 24 hours - but investment news can be confusing to understand at the best of times. Do you know what is going on?

The Situation

The New York Stock Market saw the worst sell-off day in years yesterday, as Lehman Brothers, the fourth largest Wall Street investment bank, went under - filing for bankruptcy. Another financial management company, Merrill Lynch, then agreed to a takeover by the Bank of America, which sparked a global sell-off the stock market.

The firms plunged because of their enormous exposure to the US subprime mortgage market. This collapse is the cause for the global credit crunch, which will have worldwide effects. Economists are predicting more firms to fall into the same situation (insurance giant AIG has just been rescued by the US Government with an $85 billion emergency loan), particularly for companies with debt linked to mortgages.

How does this affect you?

While The Reserve Bank says NZ does not have much direct exposure to Lehman Brothers, AIG has 45,000 NZ customers, including some of our biggest companies. New Zealand banks are also largely owned by Australian parents, many of whom have reported direct exposure to the affected US firms.

The impact of the world financial crisis may mean New Zealand’s expected economy recovery may slow down or even not happen at all over the next year. The fall of the US firms will flow through to NZ shares and the NZ dollar, and may have significant effects on New Zealand savings schemes such as pensions, Kiwisaver and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. Savings rates may also plunge, and mortgage rates could stay higher for longer.

Keep up to date with the financial crisis by keeping tabs on the business news headlines on NZS.com.

Prince Caspian

2008-06-26T10:47:00.000+12:00

Prince Caspian, the second installment in the Narnia series, is officially released tomorrow nationwide (26 June) and by all accounts is a far darker and, dare I say, more grown up film than the original Narnia outing.

I've not yet seen this fantasy epic, but with its enticing trailer and some positive audience reviews I've read, I'm building up a healthy excitement. It also seems far too long ago that we got to marvel at the stunning New Zealand scenery on the big screen.
It's quite a lengthy film at nearly 2 hours 30 minutes, but having been propelled into a magical nether world (otherwise known as New Zealand), you don't want to return to reality too soon!

Adrenaline Junkie

2008-03-31T08:58:00.000+13:00

Having just watched the video of a friend's recent skydiving exploits, I'm reminded of how much (curiously) I really want to try this activity for myself. Some years ago I watched similar footage of another friend taking the plunge in Taupo and immediately felt this was the place to make my tandem skydiving ambitions a reality. Why? Well it's just so New Zealand!Adrenaline acts in high places are a common theme all over New Zealand, as well as a number of softer, yet equally lofty pursuits.

In Auckland, the southern hemisphere's tallest building provides an excellent jumping off point for well... jumping off! 192m straight down. Other visitors use the lift. As previously mentioned, tandem skydiving is on offer in Taupo , as well as Queenstown and Wanaka, so participants can choose which spectacular views to admire on the descent - mountains and lakes or volcanoes and lakes. Hot air ballooning is always a favourite and an activity I can heartily recommend. Gliding across the Canterbury Plains at sunrise is simply magical.

I've yet to try ballooning over the vineyards of Hawkes Bays, but there is time.There are other ways to reach new heights in New Zealand (or plunge from them) including bungy jumping, heli-hiking and all number of scenic flights, but in my opinion, nothing matches the thrill and the grace of hang-gliding (tandem of course). From the initial adrenaline surge of running off the edge of the Remarkables Range outside of Queenstown to suddenly finding myself silently soaring across the skies above the Wakatipu Basin this was an experience to savour.

Portugese wave power station

2008-03-04T14:03:00.000+13:00

Wave power is seen by some as the holy grail of renewable energy but it hasn’t become a commercial reality - until now that is - the world’s first commercial wave power farm has gone live in Portugal using pelamis sea snakes.

There’s been talk about harnessing the power of the ocean around NZ for sime time with the most recent attempt being the Crest Energy in the Kaipara.

Early in 2007 PGP director Chris Curlett said he thought “the first wave farm could be fully commissioned in New Zealand within the next two-and-a-half to three years. And that would be operational, feeding power direct into the grid … There’s no question that New Zealand’s got the most marvellous wave pattern for marine energy all the way up the west coast.” Read more »