Holmes Bows Out

Paul Holmes loomed large in my life and probably also in the lives of most New Zealanders. His presence was unavoidable in the media as a TV presenter, talkback radio host, newspaper columnist, author and social celebrity. He was the same age as me and I first caught first sight of him as an actor during my brief time at Victoria University around 1969 - sporting an afro haircut and a mischievous moustache while performing on stage.

This memory of him as a performer has coloured my view of him ever since. I still see him as a mercurial and supremely capable actor of many parts. His last role as a politically conservative commentator made him a fortune - which he richly deserved, as he worked his butt off like no other in the business.

 It appears he sadly paid the cost with illness in the end, leaving plenty of wreckage along the road as personal problems and relationship breakups plagued his rise to stardom. I will miss him as a highly intelligent media man, but his outlook on life seemed to me to the same as the politicians who almost ruined this country implementing monetarist ideology that resulted in a decline in our standard of living and way of life.

 This role played by Paul Holmes will not be missed by me and I hope he will be replaced by others who can help repair this beautiful country of ours and restore the dreams and hopes of our settler forebears - of all creeds and races - and like Paul, still have a few laughs along the way.

Shearer Wins??

Well, they went thru' the motions of confirming Shearer's leadership. However, unless he performs miracles this year like suddenly rejecting the Goff position (who supported the failing monetarist reforms of the Eighties), then Shearer will always be an opposition MP.

NZ Milk Fails Safety Tests

Traces anti nitrification chemicals used in fertilizer have been found in NZ milk and so raising the anxiety level of overseas consumers. Fonterra of course rushed to assure everyone that there was nothing to worry about - levels found are well below EEC standards. However,I bet that is not the only problem worthy of concern with milk. Many more chemicals are need to boost production these days and it is not the very natural product it used to be.

Parata Meltdown

Hekia Parata has been a poorly performing education minister in John Key's Government and yet survived a recent cabinet reshuffle. It appears she has known Key for many years and was groomed for greater things. John Key must see potential in her that seems hidden from the most of us - we shall see if that comes to light this year. The Education Unions are the last powerful union force in NZ. No government has smashed them like most other unions. It will be an interesting contest this time around. Click on cartoon to enlarge it.

Smoking Guns

Sadly, the recent publicity of assaults on police officers in NZ is adding support to those who want to put guns on the hips of every police officer. This would end a long tradition of the police showing us the example that being visibly armed is not necessary to feel safe in our society. The statistics show in fact that there has not been a significant rise of such assaults and God help us if we were to follow the example of the USA. If you want a larger image then click on the cartoon.

Leatherface Attempts Massacre

A recent news item reported the toppling of The Hobbit film by "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" in the weekly USA box office stakes. One of the characters in the latter film is Leatherface and reminded me of Kiwi politician Winston Peters when he ranted about how little real benefit came from the tax subsidies to get the The Hobbit made in NZ. Stupid man does not seem to remember the competitive bidding internationally that went on! Making movies are high risk ventures and every country offers sweeteners - we got the job and there is more to come. It is time Winston retired. Click on cartoon to enlarge.

Shearer On Holiday

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