Big Sky Southern New Zealand

Today we mourn the death...

2012-01-09T12:31:00.000+13:00

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn’t always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens
suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion..

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights ; I Want It Now ; Someone Else Is To Blame ; I’m A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on.

Food police prove the rule of unintended consequences

2011-12-02T13:06:00.000+13:00

"On Thursday, Dec. 1, the city's de facto ban of the Happy Meal commences. San Francisco has accomplished what the Hamburglar could not. Or has it? "

Read it here.

Dont look here.

2011-11-25T13:03:00.003+13:00

I am away now for the weekend to ~~prepare for the whitehouse on Monday~~ go camping in the mountains - to catch fish, drink beer and shoot possums with my mates.

Hope the erection goes well for you and you get what you voted for.

Good and hard.

So, I probably need to shut the blog down to prevent the gestapo locking me up for breaking the rules.

Nothing but freedom to see here.

And nobody wants THAT.

Dont look here.

2011-11-25T13:01:00.000+13:00

SubRadar Artists or songs - number 10

2011-11-25T09:00:00.004+13:00

From Revolver, released the year I was born, simply the greatest Beatles song ever, if not the greatest song ever.

No synthesizers, no autocue - not even drums.

Perfection.

1

2011-11-24T07:17:00.001+13:00

Does the DPB foster violence?

2011-11-23T07:47:00.000+13:00

Pictures in support of the 10 year expenditure story.

2011-11-22T07:44:00.001+13:00

The Decade-long Binge: How Government Squandered Ten Years of Economic Prosperity

2011-11-21T07:24:00.002+13:00

Luke Malpass at the Centre for Independent Studies has just released this interesting research:

"Government spending has almost doubled in nominal terms to $70.5 billion from 2000–01 to 2010–11. Adjusting for inflation, this is an increase of 57% in real terms. Most of this money was spent on social welfare and introducing costly and ineffective new policies. From 2000–10:
Health spending increased from $6.6 billion to $13.5 billion.
Education spending increased from $6.1 billion to $11.7 billion.
Social security and welfare spending increased from $13.2 billion to $21.2 billion.
Despite the quantum of spending increases, there is evidence of only marginal improvement in social indicators even though it is easier to disprove than prove causation."

A fatal phobia

2011-11-20T19:21:00.000+13:00

Time to Change the Minimum Wage

2011-11-18T07:56:00.000+13:00

Government interference in employment matters - for example the minimum wage - are for reasons political.
Certainly there is no basis for a minimum wage within the discipline of economics.

Power!

2011-11-17T07:55:00.000+13:00

Thank Dunne we have the serious stuff under scrutiny

2011-11-16T12:47:00.000+13:00

Is trout farming on National's agenda?

We can all sleep better in our beds tonight.

Belt up and put up.

2011-11-16T07:51:00.000+13:00

In New Zealand, communists managed to get elected to govern. In a few months the economy had become as it could be expected from anyone following the Soviet model. As the USSR promised help, the country's President sent a telegram to ~~Brezhnev~~ Putin, "Please send food."

Putin answered with a telegram, "Tighten the belts."

The next telegram from the new communist-ruled country said, "Urgently send belts."

Adapted from an old USSR joke.

Key Information

2011-11-15T07:47:00.001+13:00

A man was sentenced to fifteen years of imprisonment in a high security prison for calling ~~Brezhnev~~ Key an idiot.

The man's wife asked the judge, why such a harsh sentence was meted out as by the law the maximum term for a personal insult must not exceed a few months. The judge said, "He's sentenced not for a personal insult, but for revealing classified information."

Adapted from an old USSR joke.

Finally, someone is DOING SOMETHING about the carnage!

2011-11-14T08:33:00.000+13:00

The Saddest Tale of Poverty in New Zealand

2011-11-13T07:40:00.000+13:00

Libertarianz Opening Address

2011-11-12T07:38:00.000+13:00

The Libertarian Jew

2011-11-11T12:01:00.000+13:00

A Jewish Libertarian applied for a visa to leave New Zealand for ~~Israel~~ Australia. During an interview at the passport office, the official asked, "Why do you want to leave the best country in the world?"

"I have two reasons," the Jew answered. "One is that my neighbor is an anti-Semitic National Supporter, and when he's drunk, he knocks at my door and shouts, 'Just wait, as soon as the Labour regime is over with, we kill you, Jews!"

"But you shouldn't worry," the official said. "The New Zealand socialist state is forever."

"That is my second reason," the Jew said.

Adapted from old USSR jokes

Unbreaking News - Poll

2011-11-11T07:35:00.000+13:00

Mate, you've just got to sort out your socialism

2011-11-10T20:30:00.000+13:00

Christchurch Recovery

2011-11-10T07:34:00.001+13:00

Who would have thought?

2011-11-09T16:40:00.000+13:00

Take the test yourself here

Giant Rugby Ball Anyone?

2011-11-08T22:38:00.000+13:00

Unbreaking News About Poverty

2011-11-08T08:29:00.000+13:00

Coercion vs Freedom

2011-11-07T13:36:00.000+13:00

Part 3 of the series 'collectivism vs individualism'

Bribery in Politics. Its ok.

2011-11-07T08:27:00.000+13:00

Group Supremacy

2011-11-06T13:33:00.004+13:00

Part 2 of the series 'Collectivism vs Individualism'

Rich Pricks in New Zealand

2011-11-06T08:25:00.000+13:00

The Nature & Origin of Human Rights

2011-11-05T13:27:00.001+13:00

Part 1 of the 'collectivism vs individualism' series.

The Kiwi Future

2011-11-05T08:22:00.000+13:00

Libertarianz Principles

2011-11-04T08:18:00.000+13:00

Left or Right?

2011-11-03T16:26:00.002+13:00

Left or Right, whichever you consider is the lesser of two evils - is still evil.

Video - Lindsay Mitchell Talks to Libertarianz TV About her Research into Poverty in New Zealand

2011-11-03T09:52:00.002+13:00

Opening Address - Dr Richard McGrath - Libertarianz

2011-11-01T22:12:00.002+13:00

subRadar Artists or songs - number 9

2011-10-30T09:00:00.001+13:00

Genre hopping 12 minutes of British bliss, from the spectacular album Deadwing.

contemporary Comedians - Eddie Izzard

2011-10-27T08:13:00.000+13:00

By far my favourite transvestite comedian, gently challenging religion with the odd spot of that pesky logic.

Your children will be next

2011-10-27T07:25:00.000+13:00

Australia ---> NZ If you allow this, your children will be next...

"Two participants in the Federal Government's compulsory Australian Health Survey say the experience has been deeply intrusive and a stressful violation of their privacy.
A Queensland woman likened the survey process to having Big Brother knocking on her door asking for urine, and said the line of questioning intruded into her grief over the recent death of a loved one.
And a Victorian woman told the ABC News Online Investigative Unit she felt strong-armed into giving private health and lifestyle details to a stranger.
Up to 50,000 randomly selected adults and children are compelled to take part in the survey, which is being conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in consultation with the Department of Health and Ageing.
Aspects of the survey, such as blood tests and urine samples, are submitted voluntarily, but people can be fined $110 a day - or prosecuted - for not taking part or for refusing mandatory questions."

Health survey sparks 'Big Brother' fears

Are You Ready to do what's Right?

2011-10-26T21:52:00.000+13:00

SubRadar Artists or Songs - Number 8

2011-10-26T09:00:00.002+13:00

Ok, ok, so certainly not under the radar. But The Beatles have still not been bettered, and this was made in 1964!

Is this the perfect pop song?

Nanny or Nanny's BIG BROTHER?

2011-10-25T21:49:00.000+13:00

We Are Not Alone - Part 3

2011-10-25T15:17:00.000+13:00

Part 3 of the series started here, we examine another fellow member of our international affiliation with the Interlibertarians.

Our closest neighbors have the Liberal Democratic Party, a party described by the following philosophy:

"The party generally adheres to libertarian and classical liberal principles, with a low tax laissez-faire approach to economics and a high regard for individual freedom and responsibility."

Founded in 2001, it contested 2010 federal election, receiving 1.81 percent of the senate vote (over 230,000 votes).

LDP policies include:

Legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide
Significantly reduced tax rates and government spending
Abolition of coercive psychiatry
Re-legalisation of marijuana
Support of shooters' rights
Support of voluntary voting
Advocate Free migration agreements with more nations (as already exists between Australia and New Zealand) and
a general immigration tariff on immigrants from other nations to replace the existing quota system.
Opposition to corporate welfare
Support of competitive federalism and political decentralisation
Support of free trade
Support of gay marriage
Support of property owners' rights with regards to all matters including smoking

Not too much to disagree with there - I will have a little look at the immigration point.

SubRadar Artists or songs - number 7

2011-10-25T09:05:00.003+13:00

Utterly gorgeous.

Exceptional Individual - Exceptional Country?

2011-10-24T21:47:00.000+13:00

Banana Republic Day - Lest We Forget How Crooked the Labour Party Were

2011-10-23T20:41:00.000+13:00

In 2006, the Libertarianz Party exposed, in the High Court, the corrupt nature of the Labour Party leader, Helen Clark.

Basically, the Labour Party were caught illegally using taxpayers' money to fund their own electioneering.

They then moved to have a law retrospectively enacted, making their action legal.

The Libertarianz declared that day "Banana Republic Day".

Bernard Darnton, previous Leader of Libertarianz

Commentary from

Contemporary Comedians - Russell Peters

2011-10-23T19:55:00.000+13:00

Indian Canadian with superb race-based observations.

Is it tomorrow morning?

2011-10-23T14:34:00.003+13:00

It is well enough that people of the nation do not understand our banking and monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.
Henry Ford

No, its not tomorrow morning, the 'revollers' don't understand the monetary system.

They Are Coming For You

2011-10-23T09:45:00.000+13:00

contemporary Comedians - Peter Kay

2011-10-23T09:03:00.001+13:00

Northern England comedian appeals more to Brits, with an old fashioned reminiscing type observational humour.

How Long Will You Leave It?

2011-10-22T21:42:00.000+13:00

Death by ETA!

2011-10-22T17:07:00.000+13:00

"The consensus among scientists—and the apprehension—is growing."

Death By ETA it shall be!

SubRadar Artists or Songs - Number 6

2011-10-22T09:00:00.000+13:00

The magnificent Van Morrison from the album Enlghtenment "In the Days Before Rock and Roll".

Immoral, self-righteous bullying laziness

2011-10-21T17:07:00.000+13:00

The Keiser Report

2011-10-21T13:38:00.000+13:00

I enjoy Russian TV's news reports, and love Max Keiser's half hour.
On Sky TV of a morning - channel 96.

Man breaking barriers

2011-10-20T10:54:00.001+13:00

Childhood ambition was to pilot jet fighters

Contemporary Comedians - Bill Bailey

2011-10-20T09:00:00.000+13:00

Although my favourite Bill Bailey show is still "Part Troll" - here he shows his musical prowess as well.

Contemporary Comedians - Nina Conti

2011-10-19T10:21:00.000+13:00

Not often seen - ventriloquist

And lovely, as well.

SubRadar Artists or Songs - Number 5

2011-10-19T09:00:00.001+13:00

Everybody has now heard of the prolific Ryan Adams (no, not Bryan).

This little 10 minute gem sits in the middle of his fabulous album Gold.

Nobody Girl.

"A Negligible Impact" Climate Change

2011-10-18T16:50:00.000+13:00

The magnificent Dan Hannan.

SubRadar Song or Artist, number 4

2011-10-16T09:00:00.000+13:00

Mary Chapin-Carpenter brought splendid contemporary Country music into my lounge. This is a live version of 'He thinks he'll keep her'.

I cannot recommend this artist highly enough, particularly recommend starting with her early albums.

We Are Not Alone - Part 2

2011-10-15T09:01:00.001+13:00

Building on my first blogpost about other Libertarian Parties around the world, here is a more in-depth look at those parties, one-by-one.

Argentina - Partido Liberal Libertario. (website in Spanish)
A new party, founded June 2009 and with a facebook following approaching 10 000;

"Its goals are to limit the power of the State reducing its influence on the individual, regarding the economical and social aspects. Their slogan is"Individual rights, free market and non-aggression"

Argentina is the 8th largest country in the world, and has a population n excess of 40 000 000.
It has a very checkered political past and a relatively high ranking (105th of 178) on Transparency International's 'Corruption Perceptions Index' for 2010.

In the same year its economy expanded by 8.5%, and it is considered an emerging economy.

Having not too long ago suffered an economic crisis similar to that which we see now on a global scale, these are interesting times and a great challenge for the new party.

SubRadar Song or Artist - number 3

2011-10-14T09:00:00.000+13:00

Known as the singer from Fairground Attraction, Eddi Reader's solo album candyfloss & medicine, this is the outstanding opening track from an otherwise 6/10 album. This version was the only one I could find, and in my opinion not as good as the album track.

Still lovely, and a celebration joyous.

Who is John Key Starting to Remind me of...?

2011-10-13T07:00:00.000+13:00

Kings of pragmatism.

Japanese Tsunami Viewed From a Vehicle

2011-10-12T13:58:00.000+13:00

A courier driver has his in-car camera running - views the quake, and continues on his way.

Camera apparently retrieved from the water recently.

Need a Greenie

2011-10-12T08:00:00.000+13:00

3 Questions - needAgreenie!

1. Problem with Mrs P's rhubarb.

Suggestions?

2. Next, we are keen to identify these. Taste like garlic apparently.

Lastly, we have raised beds in place. Suggestions for how to fill for general vegetable use?

Bryce Lawrence and 36 000 dislikes.

2011-10-11T10:57:00.002+13:00

FACEBOOK Petition To Stop Bryce Lawrence Ever Reffing A Rugby Game Again

Ouch - 36 408 at time of writing.

Its a good thing theres nothing important going on in the world.

SubRadar Song or Artist - number 2

2011-10-11T09:00:00.002+13:00

One of my favourite bands for years, XTC.

Incredible catalogue, this from their 1986 album, Skylarking.

A genuinely magnificent album, and heartily recommended.

XTC are one of those bands that other musicians appreciate.

Beer of the day - Sunday matches

2011-10-09T17:55:00.001+13:00

Following on from yesterdays Invercargill brewery theme, match time today with a Wasp. Does what it says on the tin. Sundays match.

SubRadar Song or Artist - number 1.

2011-10-09T09:00:00.004+13:00

A new series, where I hope to draw your attention to a song or an artist you may not have heard of.

First up, the incredibly talented Sufjan Stevens.

Paper over the cracks

2011-10-09T06:21:00.001+13:00

Decline of NZ Newspaper Circulation 2002 - 2011

Beer of the Day

2011-10-08T17:59:00.000+13:00

Steve Nally's Invercargill Brewery

B.Man (Strangely I remember this being called Biman - maybe I was toxinicated?).

Malty hoppy nutty.

Just like the beer

My Rugby Predictions for the Weekend

2011-10-08T17:41:00.000+13:00

To win:

New Zealand
Wales
South Africa
France

There, I've said it.

A Nation of Sheep

2011-10-08T05:19:00.001+13:00

Voice in Shadow of Wall Street (UPDATED)

2011-10-07T17:11:00.001+13:00

Mixed messages indeed from the occupiers.

Lets hope some are heard.

UPDATE - THE SPEAKER FOLLOWS UP

We Are Not Alone

2011-10-07T06:25:00.000+13:00

Every day looks more as if the world has read the script of “Atlas Shrugged”, and is making its own full-budget adaptation.

It is particularly worrying for freedom loving sentinels like us, sniffing the wind, looking for signs & listening for sounds of totalitarianism.

And it is here.

On our watch.

· The groundswell of collectivism is eroding the borders of ownership.

· There’s now almost a roar from the corner-of-the-mouth spittle-drenched enraged masses; desperate for someone to ‘do something’, for ‘something must be done’.

· The stench of crippled human endeavour provides a putrid cardboard folder for regulations for the permission givers.

Sitting here on our little south Pacific island, it is easy to feel despair.

So I was pleased to have been invited to consider the Libertarianz Party membership of a fairly new organisation, the Interlibertarians.

Formed following dialogue between the Libertarian Party’s of Switzerland and Italy, the Interlibertarians have the following (English being their second language) goals:

INTERLIBERTARIANS is the international association of whatever movements and parties sharing the following fundamental goals:

1. defence of private property from attacks by ruling statalism run by both right- and left-wing constructivists

2. defence of freedom of entrepreneurship against over-regulations which imprison human talents

3. defence of free trade against protectionism, custom tarriffs and duties

4. defence of tax competition in favour of a future society, once and for all free from taxes, founded on the grounds of subsidiarity, the voluntary sector, free associationism, responsibility and civic concord

5. defence of the value of saving against the monopolizers of money

6. defence of freedom of education as to make our children free from institutional serfdom inculcated by state school

7. defence of freedom of insurance as to repeal the state provision of health care, unemployment, accidents insurance and pensions

Based in Lugano in Switzerland, the Interlibertarians boasts, in addition to its two founding party’s and many others, the following members:

Partido Liberal Libertario (Argentina)
The Liberal Democratic Party of Australia
Liberte Cherie (Belgium)
Partido Libertarios (Brazil)
Libertarian Party of Canada
Institut Coppet (France)
Libertarian Party of Russia
P-Lib Partido De La Libertad Individual (Spain)
Libertarian Party (United Kingdom)
Libertarian Party (United States)
Boston Tea Party (United States)
Libertarian Alliance (United Kingdom)

And now us.

Invited to address this years Interlibertatians conference, Sean Gabb Director of the UK’s Libertarian Alliance, and Mark Hinkle, Chairman of the US Libertarian Party, both made video adresses.

In addition to its annual conference, the organisation intends to support the sharing of ideas, and even to consider agreeing on practical common actions on a worldwide level, as it pursues the above goals.

As you are all aware, collectivism lends itself particularly well to collective action -however immoral - and usually coercive. Witness the recent absurd kerfuffle with our very own students demanding the use of force in insisting on compulsory student union membership.

But, borrowing shamelessly from Ellsworth Toohey and the socialists, we must organise. They have been successful. We will do better, but of course with neither coercion or force.

Part of our plan includes building resources and alliances.

And this ally has lady liberty with a crossbow.

Shane Pleasance

Libertarianz Party President

Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T13:28:00.001+13:00

I just heard of his passing.

I am genuinely saddened.

Superb CEO, innovator and capitalist.

And a kind of mentor of mine.

Picture from www.apple.com

Green MP not PC!

2011-10-05T02:33:00.001+13:00

Found this in my twitter stream.

Presumably not expecting big votes from Gore, Green MP Gareth Hughes puts a call out to druids of the country to cycle down to a place near to (but not to), Gore.

Not content to attempt to quash economic development & snub property rights, he's adding insult to injury with the usual cheap shot at Gore.

Of course, not all of the druids will be cycling.

But its good to see Gareth's not too PC.

Mines Bigger than Yours

2011-07-28T20:33:00.001+12:00

Who's is the most impressive debt?

Or the

US?

They Mean to be Masters

2011-07-28T01:13:00.002+12:00

It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard thepeople against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters." Daniel Webster

How to raise Invercargill's flagging status - in nine small minutes

2011-05-31T11:46:00.000+12:00

Imagine Invercargill's very own version of this dub video.

Tim Shadbolt and Susan Prentice, arm in arm, crooning to 'we don't know how lucky we are' as they sway together through the streets of Invergiggle.

Apparently a youtube sensation, created by Grand Rapids to raise its profile.

If there was an election tomorrow...

2011-05-24T11:03:00.000+12:00

Stuff are running an online poll asking:

If the election was held tomorrow, who would you vote for?

Labour 23%, Nats 40.7%, ACT 5.7% and Libz sitting at 4.4% of the vote.

As if.

Bankers own the earth.

2011-05-06T11:27:00.000+12:00

In 1940, Sir Josiah Stamp, Director of the Bank of England wrote this:

“Banking was conceived in iniquity and born in sin. Bankers own the earth; take it away from them but leave them with the power to create credit; and, with a flick of a pen, they will create enough money to buy it back again. Take this power away from them and all great fortunes like mine will disappear, and they ought to disappear, for then this world would be a happier and better world to live in. But if you want to be slaves of bankers and pay the cost of your own slavery, then let the bankers control money and control credit."

Hat tip, Phil at FEG

As of today, your earnings are yours.

2011-05-03T09:40:00.000+12:00

According to the National Business Review, today, May 3rd, heralds the day that you finish paying your contribution to the government. The money you earn for the rest of the year is yours!

Even better, it is one day earlier than it was last year! So taxation itself has not changed much - and the government is borrowing $300 million a week.

We don't know how lucky we are.

Democracy needs to be subjugated

2011-04-25T12:57:00.000+12:00

An absolute must watch.

The Oil Crisis in the US

2011-04-04T07:47:00.000+12:00

GARFIELD ON THE OIL CRISIS

A lot of folks can't understand how we came to have an oil shortage
here in our country.
~~~
Well, there's a very simple answer.
~~~
Nobody bothered to check the oil.
~~~
We just didn't know we were getting low.
~~~
The reason for that is purely geographical.
~~~
Our OIL is located in:
~~~
ALASKA
~~~
California
~~~
Coastal Florida
~~~
Coastal Louisiana
~~~
North Dakota
~~~
Wyoming
~~~
Colorado
~~~
Kansas
~~~
Oklahoma
~~~
Pennsylvania
And
Texas
~~~

Our dipsticks are located in DC

I could actually swap mine for this, I think...

2011-03-29T07:27:00.002+13:00

May consider part x on my old iPhone for one of these...

Called the CPT002, this transparent glass Aston Martin phone by Mobiado "can control many of the car's functions." Aside from its stunning looks, "cameras integrated into the vehicle can be set to periodically update Facebook and Twitter with pictures, video, and information of passing cities/landmarks during road trips." Click here for more pictures.

Just having it in your pocket operates the keyless entry system, and once you're moving the phone can do things like automatically upload pictures from onboard cameras in the car to your social networks, so your friends can see where you're traveling, It will even use its accelerometer to measure your movement in an accident, then adjust the airbag deployment speed and seat belt tensioner to fit the situation.

One for the Tree Huggers

2011-03-28T21:10:00.000+13:00

This ought to test your tree hugging mettle...

Kind of icky, really.

As evolutionists say, it those who can adapt that will survive.

Perigo is Back!

2011-03-24T11:10:00.001+13:00

PERIGO! – Upholding Reason, Freedom and Excellence.
Lindsay Perigo is back with a brand-new interview show.

Surrounded by the excellent classical Greek philosophers in Raphael’s glorious recreation of the School of Athens, Lindsay is in the company of true greatness – a fitting backdrop to the in-depth conversations on philosophy, politics and culture that
he will be having with a special guest every week.

Tonight at 7.30 on
Stratos, Sky 89, our special guest, Dr. Ron Smith from Waikato University, will be interviewed by Lindsay on his thoughts about his own philosophical education. Dr. Smith will also discuss post-tsunami Japan and its damaged nuclear reactors, as well as the situation in Libya and that "Mad Dog of the Middle East," Gaddafi.

At the finale of the show each week, Lindsay will play a classical musical gem chosen lovingly from the colourful palette of the Romantic era ... something which makes him go weak at the knees with “value-swoon” and something so objectively beautiful that viewers will have little choice but to swoon too.

Join us for a half hour of intelligent discourse.

PERIGO! Thursday evenings at 7.30 on Stratos, Sky 89.

It's Hard...

2011-03-02T09:28:00.007+13:00

Its hard to see the mountaintops of Liberty when you are under the heel of Marx.

.

Mutt, tell the meddling busybodies where to go!

2011-02-16T17:19:00.001+13:00

Imagine you had a piece of land you wanted to sell, and some third party expected any buyer pay more for it than you were asking. You would tell them where to get off, wouldn't you?

Or imagine you wanted to buy a piece of land, and some third party intended you pay more for it than the seller wanted.
Crazy, huh?
Robert "Mutt" Lange is being asked to pay $1 million more to support the eradication of some pest plant.

Mutt has a history of clearing this pest on adjacent land he already owns.

This is busybodyism gone absolutely insane. The council should not even entertain the concept of inviting this kind of intervention.
It is his land. To do with it as he chooses, rationally.

After the meeting, Mr Willsman said he did not think asking for a formal commitment, through the public notification process, would put the multi-millionaire music producer off.

"If he gets the sale through, we would simply ask that clearing wilding pines be part of a sale agreement," he said.

"My estimate would be that it will cost about $800,000 to $900,000 to clear them. He has done great work clearing the first three properties of wilding pines and goats and is a great example of an off-shore investor who shows a real passion for the land he's acquired. There's been gangs of contractors up on those stations with sprayers and chainsaws for a long time now.

You know that compulsion is the next step.
You can just tell...

Dumbest thing ever said? Hilary Clinton.

2011-02-12T16:02:00.000+13:00

Love this post from Reason magazine

Southern squall set to continue?

2011-02-02T16:39:00.000+13:00

Almost a year since the southern blogosphere went squally, it may be back.

I particularly enjoyed their bold approach.

If you did, why not visit and persuade them to shower us for longer?

Van Halen Back with David Lee Roth!

2011-01-26T13:35:00.000+13:00

One of my fave albums as a lad was the debut from Van Halen.

Just discovered, after many years of near misses, they are getting back together with original wild frontman, David Lee Roth!
Link to Rolling Stone story and pictures of rehearsals.

Although sporting appropriate dodgy dress sense and some serious wrinkles, the prospect is interesting.

He who laughs last. This man predicted the economic bust - and was laughed at.

2011-01-25T22:16:00.001+13:00

This video highlights Peter Schiff spotting and calling the economic bust as early as 2006 - and others just laughing at his face.

Wonder what happened to these idiots?

Shot me a varmint...

2011-01-21T14:11:00.001+13:00

Jane bought me an air rifle for xmas, and we have had a lot of fun with it.

The rifle, a Crosman Phantom x, is a phenomenal machine.
Telescopic sights and 1000 feet-per-second-muzzle velocity, this is no toy.

The whole family were camping for several days at the lakes at mavora with a bunch of friends. Fabulous fishing, great company, breathtaking scenery (the place is alive with orc footprints) and even the odd Invercargill brew...

We had been plagued by possums. Eating our food through the walls of our camp kitchen at night, shuffling round the tent - and even on it. I come from a place where one leaves the food outside the tent, definitely don't want creatures coming into the tent in Africa. But here, theres not so much to worry about.

Except possums.
Considered vermin here - even though they have lovely mitten making fur - possums carry bovine tuberculosis and place industries at risk. they will also rip at whatever it is that might trap them - serious claws.
And I had seen & heard it wandering around all the tents - some of our friends are girls alone.

Jane woke me terrified at 1 am - to see the possum sliding down the outside of the tent.
Gave the beast a hearty punch - there was quite a bit of weight to it. By the time I went outside it was gone.

0315 - had to slip outside for the call of nature - and there, in trees ahead, was my target.

Slipped to the truck, popped a lump of lead in the gat - and spotted Peter Possum through the sights with the help of my trusty mini-mag torch.

Dropped out of the tree like it had been shot.

The round, as it happens, went in just to the left of its nose, and exited out its ear.

More on Britain's debt. It is terminal.

2011-01-14T18:25:00.001+13:00

4.8 Trillion Pounds

Strongly recommend you watch through all the videos - I think there are 7.

The Immorality of National Debt

2011-01-08T07:45:00.001+13:00

This, lifted from the splendid British website The UK Debt Bombshell

The Immorality of National Debt

A strange religion has come to dominate British life in the post-war era. It teaches that the values of our forebears are outmoded and their achievements of no great significance. It preaches that wealth is no longer created through man's ingenuity and endeavour, but something bestowed upon the grateful congregation by a divine elite. This religion is government, its ministers are politicians and its gospel is debt.

Politicians have convinced us that everyone has a right to comfort and happiness and that government has a moral duty to provide it. They believe that wealth and liberation come in the form of paper or electronic money and that distributing limitless amounts of this commodity is a cure for all social and economic ills.

Distorted values

Only by spending this confiscated or borrowed money is a person truly moral. Anyone who dares to question this twisted faith is demonised. Any politician who questions the wisdom of government indebtedness and debt-fueled consumption is branded inhumane for supporting "savage cuts to vital public services."

Is it ethical to inflate our currency to reduce the debt burden, punishing generations of savers and their prudent lives of hard work?

Is it right that our greed threatens the economic freedom that's enabled more people to improve their lives than at any other time in history?

Is it moral that our debt has to be repaid by our unborn children, while we enrich our lives at their expense?

Now borrowing at a rate of $300 million a week, we in New Zealand are in trouble, too.

Great old sayings - as true now...

2011-01-07T10:30:00.000+13:00

1. In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more, is a congress.
-- John Adams
2. If you don't read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the
newspaper, you are misinformed.
-- Mark Twain
3. Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But then I repeat myself.
-- Mark Twain
4. I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like
a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle .
-- Winston Churchill
5. A government, which robs Peter to pay Paul, can always depend on the
support of Paul.
-- George Bernard Shaw
6. A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money.
-- G. Gordon Liddy
7. Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.
-- James Bovard, Civil Libertarian (1994)
8. Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer of money from poor people in
rich countries, to rich people in poor countries.
-- Douglas Casey, Classmate of Bill Clinton at Georgetown University
9. Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
-- P.J. O'Rourke, Civil Libertarian
10. Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.
-- Frederic Bastiat, French Economist (1801-1850)
11. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it
stops moving, subsidize it.
-- Ronald Reagan (1986)
12. I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.
-- Will Rogers
13. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it
costs when it's free!
-- P.J. O'Rourke
14. In general, the art of government consist s of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other.
-- Voltaire (1764)
15. Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean
politics won't take an interest in you!
-- Pericles (430 B.C.)
16. No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in
session.
-- Mark Twain (1866)
17. Talk is cheap...except when Congress does it.
-- Anonymous
18. The government is like a baby's alimentary canal, with a happy appetite at one end, and no responsibility at the other.
-- Ronald Reagan
19. The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of the blessings.
The inherent blessing of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.
-- Winston Churchill
20. The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the
taxidermist leaves the skin.
-- Mark Twain
21. The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to
fill the world with fools.
-- Herbert Spencer, English Philosopher (1820-1903)
22. There is no distinctly native American criminal class...save Congress.
-- Mark Twain
23. What this country needs are more unemployed politicians.
-- Edward Langley, Artist (1928-1995)
24. A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong
enough to take everything you have.
-- Thomas Jefferson

Exploit the Earth or Die

2010-12-23T20:11:00.000+13:00

Its just how it is.

Stadium Southland, Southland Times bares its teeth.

2010-12-16T12:04:00.000+13:00

The Times has over the recent weeks taken a strong stance towards the stadium collapse, with front page story's highlighting deficiencies.

Here is a link to the story so far, including recordings of phone conversations between reporter and manager.