NX-Files

Today I transferred my opinion blog to Blogspot from my Windows Live Space to see if I prefer this platform.

http://brashtalk.blogspot.com

I'm also experimenting with a new blog name.  I've another blog name in the pipeline if I don't like 'BrashTalk'.

I'll probably duel post on Windows Live Space and Blogspot until I decide which one to keep. 

As odd as it seems I actually try and stay loyal to Windows Live products.  But eventually even I get frustrated with Microsoft products and find something more user friendly.  The thing is Microsoft products have some good features but are let down by not giving their customers flexibility like having multiple Spaces under one passport account.

Other times it can be something small.  For example I battled to get the Windows Live Toolbar to work for me i.e. open search results in a new tab and the blogging feature.  I emailed Microsoft a couple of times and scoured the web for info., but eventually I gave up and use the Google toolbar.  And since I'm using the Google toolbar the natural progression is to use Google products.

Unlike many people I'm not cynical about Microsoft at all.  So when they start losing customers like me, then they should really be concerned. 

Of course in typical Microsoft fashion they'll probably suddenly improve their products (IE8 beta is just around the corner) and I may regret making the change.

 

The fact that Australia's Labor is pursuing big public/private sector partnerships and kept the increase in government spending to a mere 1 per cent in its debut Budget shows how out of step New Zealand's Labour-led Government has become with international norms, leading New Zealand into a cul de sac, he says.

Fran O'Sullivan: Coalition mates need to be ready for National's vision - 21 Jun 2008 - Politics: New Zealand Political News, Analysis and Comment including 2008 election coverage - NZ Herald

National has been branded as Labour-lite many times, and not without reason, so it's good to read English's alternative vision for New Zealand; one that won't be curtailed by Winston Peters.

 

"I don't mean to be impudent," said one reporter, "but why are you wearing a kilt?"

Sibley explained: "It has to do with genitalia. If you are on the smaller side, then pants are not uncomfortable."

Obama, his gay accuser and the lawyer in a kilt - New Zealand's source for World News on Stuff.co.nz

Dunno what's he talking about.... pants are well comfortable ;).

Labour is slipping further behind in the key battleground of Auckland, with National opening up a lead of 60 per cent compared with Labour on 27 per cent.

Labour voters still prefer Clark - New Zealand, world, sport, business and entertainment news on Stuff.co.nz

And in the same poll:

In a glimmer of good news for the Government, Labour has retaken the lead over National in Wellington

^hello... bureaucrat city.  But National's lead over Labour in Auckland is massive and significant.  There is a view that whoever wins Auckland wins the country.  However this isn't true because National actually won Auckland last election by a narrow margin. 

Pacific Islanders as the only ethnic group now favouring Labour over National.

^the very ethnic group that tipped the scales in favour of Labour last election.  I'm puzzled why this group supports Labour to the extent that they do given Philip Field fiasco.  Also Pacific Islanders tend to be very community based, religious and often socially conservative; hardly in keeping with Labour philosophy.  What I sense is that Pacific Islanders are perhaps ignorant to politics and vote the way their church/community leader tells them.  Labour knows this and are continually wooing/bribing the PI leaders.  I think it's a great irony that Labour's electoral success depends on the stereotype of an ethic group.

 

Her office later explained to me that while it was true the legislation had been written a year ago, Burton had been “busy” that year and unable to find time to table the bill in Parliament. When I asked what he had been doing, they replied “well, the Electoral Finance Act took up a lot of his time”.

On the House - stuff.co.nz

I always thought that with so much time devoted to drafting the Electoral Finance Bill that something had to give....

What's more important; law and order or fiddling with electoral laws for your own benefit..?  Labour have got to assess the reasons why they're seeking power in the first place.  Because by neglecting law and order they're really betraying themselves.

Helen Clark and John Key, back from parliamentary recess, appeared to subtly changed their styles. 

Helen Clark was a touch more conciliatory and actually addressed the questions rather than attacking John Key with condescending rubbish. 

John Key, on the other hand, adopted a more aggressive posture with a showmanship delivery. 

It was an improvement for both politicians.  I suspect Helen has been told to dial back her arrogance in Question Time, but she's going to find that hard with Key going on the attack.

Quote

Honda rolls out new zero-emission car

"The biggest obstacles standing in the way of wider adoption of fuel cell vehicles are cost and the dearth of hydrogen fuel stations. For the Clarity's release in California, Honda said it received 50,000 applications through its website but could only consider those living near stations in Torrance, Santa Monica and Irvine."

"The small number of hydrogen fuel stations is the "single limiting factor" for fuel cell vehicles".

Helen should substitute her 'carbon neutral' rhetoric with something a little more realistic such as building hydrogen re-fueling station in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington. 

Don Brash: `I've been hiding too long' (+pics) - Focus - Sunday Star-Times

Dr Brash is my favourite modern politician, so I was eager to read the Sunday Star Times interview with him, the first since he retired from the National Party leadership. 

The interview was a frank and candid reflection on his time in politics.  He revealed his ambitious ideas to scrap the minimum wage, scrap the top tax bracket and cut back on NZ super.  Now if that wasn't enough to put lefties into a tail spin, I don't know what would! 

For the record I actually don't agree with everything he has said, which shows my more moderate standpoint.  For example I don't agree with scrapping the minimum wage.  The labour market isn't competitive enough for employees to demand high wages.  Also young employees often don't know they're being screwed. 

Brash also talked about his regret he didn't unilaterally make some policy decisions, which is a little concerning.  He reckons that if he ran as a conviction politician he may have done better. 

Now I really respect Don and his views, but he sounds frustrated with the process. 

If Don was given a free-hand to run the country would things be better? Absolutely. Probably markedly better.  But you still have to go through the process, as painful as it is.  Of course Brash understands that.  The political process both hinders and helps us.  It hinders us by making it hard to push through tough decisions like cutting backing NZ super (which is inevitable as the population is aging).  But it helps us in the sense that if Keith Lock became leader of the Labour party, most of his communist ideals would have to be left at the door.  I'm pretty sure Clark has toned herself down in order to be Labour leader.

Ultimately I think a Prime Minister Brash is a missed opportunity.  Even constrained by the moderate Nats, he would've reduced the level of government, and returned more responsibility to individuals.  But my main reason for for wanting a PM Brash are his personal attributes.

Former deputy governor Richard Lang on Dr Brash:

His personality was quiet, introverted, retiring.  He was very confident in his own understanding, but never pushy.  Don was polite an sensitive and did not put people down; at times he was a little too generous.  But he had absolute integrity; there was never the slightest doubt that when he said something he meant it.  He was never two-faced.  He dealt with facts not personalities, really got angry, never sarcastic.  If he disagreed with you, he'd sit you down and discuss it in a rational way.  In that way he was enjoyable to work with.

^now doesn't that sound a long way from Helen Clark!

Rudd Government slips in opinion poll | NEWS.com.au

The poll also reveals that despite climate change being a key factor in last year's election, most voters do not support a small rise in petrol prices to help combat environmental issues.
The majority of respondents (63 per cent) said they would not support a small rise in the price of petrol if the money raised was used to tackle climate change and increase spending on things like public transport and renewable energy such as solar power.

^what a surprise.  Everyone wants to do something about climate change, but no one wants to pay for it.  Now watch as Aussie Labor slowly backs away from real climate change policy, just as NZed Labour have.  Especially now given the current economic climate.

The left are responsible for whipping up hysteria over climate change, yet do bugger all in power. 

From the Guardian:

"To leave my mobile phone charger on standby, plugged in but not charging, uses 0.009 kWh a day. So in effect, I could leave it on for over a year - 380 days - for it to have consumed the same power as running a bath, which for a single 90 litre soaking uses 3.5kWh."

"Let's take the microwave. On standby that uses 0.096 kWh per day. Yet having a single shower uses 1.4kWh. Therefore leaving the microwave on standby for 14 days uses the same power as having a 40 litre shower at 40C."

"If I leave it on standby all day, my 28in CRT TV eats 0.168 kWh per day. But if I leave it switched on all day it consumes an extra 1.2kWh."

I'm all for reducing waste, but I don't subscribe to a Luddite mentality.  That is sacrificing a technological convenience can't be the way forward, otherwise we might as well ban the iPod and take up the recorder.  If the article above is anything to go by turning off standby devices is nothing more than tokenism.  If you were really concerned about saving power you'd shave a minute or so off your shower time. 

Whenever I unplug my electric tooth brush charger.. I forget to plug it back in to my great frustration when I next clean my teeth. 

I try and make practical contributions;  make my lunch, bike to work, and combine multiple car trips.