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Aardvark Daily

New Zealand's longest-running online daily news and commentary publication, now in its 14th year. The opinion pieces presented here are not purported to be fact but reasonable effort is made to ensure accuracy.

Content copyright © 1995 - 2010 to Bruce Simpson (aka Aardvark), the logo was kindly created for Aardvark Daily by the folks at aardvark.co.uk



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The unconnected amongst us

3 September 2010

Right now I'm busy trying to organise what I hope will be a very large event in late November.

As regular readers will probably know, I fly RC model aircraft and every year I've mooted the prospect of having a "national model-flying day" in the lead-up to Christmas.

The goal of this event would be to promote the hobby to all of NZ and give folks a chance to see: what's involved, how much fun it can be and whether it might be something they too would enjoy.

I mean let's face it, who hasn't at one time or another built (or wanted to build) a model aeroplane? In fact, I'd wager that there are thousands of folk who probably engaged in the hobby when they were kids and might just need a little kick to get back into it.

Unfortunately, there have been some problems with my desire to get this ball rolling.

Continued...

 

Maurice Williamson - still as bad as ever

I've never had many nice things to say about National MP Maurice Williamson.

When he was in charge of the IT/telecoms portfolio he seemed to actively facilitate Telecom's monopoly and missed many opportunities to bring some fairness to the marketplace.

I fear that even today, we're still suffering the legacy of his reign and will continue to do so for some time to come.

The one saving grace of the present government is that they removed him from such a cruicial ministerial position and allowed a little commonsense to prevail in this area.

However, it seems that despite the change of job, Maurice is as much of a liability to the country as he ever was.

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If you need proof of this and haven't yet read this Stuff story then do so now:

Minister accuses Kiwis of racism

What a load of BS.

Does Maurice not understand that the public objection to selling vast tracts of NZ's prime export-earning land into foreign ownership has nothing to do with racism or xenophobia and everything to do with protecting our economic future?

Quite frankly, I think Williamson should apologise to the people of NZ for making such a nasty insult to their character.

I think I speak for most people when I say that I don't care whether the potential overseas purchaser of NZ farms is Chinese, Japanese, American, British or whatever -- it's not the race that is the issue, it's the fact that we're effectively selling the goose that presently lays the golden egg -- and that's economic folly of the highest order.

However, nothing (however stupid) Williamson says surprises me.

What does surprise me however, is that this dim-bulb continues to suck from the taxpayer's teat and still finds himself carrying a ministeral badge.

If he's still amongst the National line-up at the next election then, even though I'm a staunch right-winger, I'd vote Labour or Green before I'd lend my vote to National.

No party which endorses a minister who proffers such a slur on the character of the average Kiwi deserves to be government -- full stop!

Or have I got this wrong. Your thoughts...

Have your say.

And yes... the Sci-Tech headlines links are updated again today with some great stories!

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