Wheelers Corner 11 18th March 2018

Wheeler’s Corner

“Connecting Citizens Who Care“. Every Monday at 4 pm on Access Manawatu 999AM” Join Peter’s blog http://wheelerscornernz.blogspot.com/  

11 18^th March 2018

1. What a week, so much has happened according to our media.

A: The Defence Chief admits indirectly that he lied about deaths in Afghanistan. B: The Labour Party responsible for 20 year old sexually attacking four 16 year old females. C. Winston Peters is pro-Russian according to the Nats. D. Crusher Collins is made spokesperson for crushing state housing stock. E. A mercenary [who was a dog handler later turned body guard in private army] is now spokesperson for Justice.

Intertwined with all this local NZ news the media has had a field day reporting on the sackings by Donald Trump and his billionaire backers, His love affair with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and his cuddling up the Philippine Dictator who murders drug addicts.

Trump sacked the US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson by tweet! How’s that for ignorance personified… "We disagreed on things," Trump told reporters at the White House - a diplomatic take on a fractious relationship that included reports that Tillerson had privately called the president a "f...ing moron".

[A]. who did carryout the killing of civilians in Afghanistan?

The media went out of its way to play down the finding that the NZ Defence Force failed to tell the truth in regard to the infamous raid on a tiny village. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/352453/nzdf-admits-afghan-village-raid-same-location-as-in-hit-and-run

Here is a message I received on the subject:

“It looks like Defence is getting pulled out into the daylight, kicking and screaming.
I think it's boiling down to a case of 'not what they said, but more of what they haven't said'
The fact they called the Yanks in with helicopter support, supports Hager's views about civilian casualties. The raid was carried out in the dead of night. Who could possibly know
anything about the presence or otherwise of civilians?
The Yanks have absolutely no respect for the lives of the people they are supposed to be defending. The slaughter they carried out in Fallujah, in which they all but wiped it off the face of earth, was a case in point.
How much actual involvement would Keating have had? I imagine at that
hour he would have been safely tucked up in bed!
It's very unlikely he will ever own up to the deaths of civilians. From other reports I have read it seems NZ has a pretty poor record in that respect.

But a much more important question is ‘since John Key directly approved the illegal raid by the SAS is he not the real villain…was General Keating meant to disobey a direct order by his boss…the situation was serious enough for him to seek approval from above.

Read the following: https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/14-03-2018/the-fog-of-time-why-the-defence-forces-hit-and-run-admission-really-matters/?utm_source=The+Bulletin&utm_campaign=9488f54947-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_03_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_552336e15a-9488f54947-533767717 

[B]

Now the Young Labour Party according to the right-wing media clowns failed to act responsibly during a youth gathering. It would appear that one twenty year old male assaulted sexually four sixteen year old females. And it would seem that one of the young women has laid a complaint to the police. Of cause the main stream media rushed headfirst into the blame game, which I might add they are good at. I think the Labour Party has been open about the event and will seek answers.

But when I compare their reactions with the National Party response when John Key was going through his ‘hair pulling episodes’ or the mistreatment of the elderly woman in the Southland branch when she had her phone bugged.

The media made all the excuses possible to justify Key’s obnoxious sexual behaviour toward young women with pony tails. And remember that his police protection team had warned him, along with his wife to reign in his behaviour. But he continued until that brave young woman told him to stop it or she would punch him in the face.

As we all know Key has never been very brave so he backed off. And if you remember the NZ Herald gave the young woman worker a hard time. In fact only after it became public knowledge that the reporter lied, she was later sacked.

[3] Winston Peters according to the Nat’s loves all things Russian…according to them this makes him anti United States…did you know that the Nats supported the US drone programme that has murdered thousands of people in third countries that the US is not even at war with…they supported and ordered the killing of innocent men women and children to assist dictators take over, they rig elections around the world and especially in the Americas, arm rebels and other nasty villains. I think Winston is right to doubt the British PM word after all she has lied so many times before. Still with Trump as her model of democracy what else can you expect?  

Items D and E didn’t rate any media coverage or investigative journalism other than praise from Matthew Hooton for the courage of new Nats leader in taking such bold steps…have a listen to his PR dribble, it’s absolutely creepy at best…how Radio NZ still gives this chap air time beats me. Mind you the ex-president of the Labour Party Mike Williams is so right-wing that he makes Hooton look like an alt-right nut case.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018635702/political-commentators-mike-williams-and-matthew-hooton  

  

2.

It’s Our Future Manawatu is gearing up to head to Wellington to play its part in protesting the Oil industries plans to search for oil and gas both on shore and off shore.

Watch this short item to explain what its all about: https://www.facebook.com/OilFreeWellington/videos/1645966675485323/

It is often said that protesters don’t know what they are about, but these days nonviolent behaviour is the only way to get your message across. Just look at the world today, school children in the US walking out of their class rooms to protest the stupidity of US gun laws. Here in NZ we too are confronted with fork-tonged past leaders who say one thing but do another.

Collective non-violent activity sends a real message. The membership of It’s Our Future Manawatu, like all the branches around the country is made up of caring individuals of all ages and backgrounds, Doctors and Lawyers, husbands and wives, Teachers and students, you might like to consider joining us.

3.

One last item: This is from Laura a member of the 'Action Team'…if this doesn’t touch a nerve…nothing will:

Dear Peter,

Yesterday was International Women’s Day and to celebrate I’m going to ask you to imagine that I am a 29 year old Māori woman (I am) but its 100 years ago and we’re living in 1918.

Ready? Here goes:

My name is Laura. I was born in 1888.

I have six siblings, but four of them have passed away. A common story for my people, really. 50% of Māori girls like me die before they turn seven, so I know I’m lucky to even be alive. The average life expectancy for Māori women is 30–35. It’s 60–65 if you’re Pākēha.¹

Lots of people are dying because of something called “influenza”. I read that in Māori communities’ influenza is causing 50 deaths per one thousand people. For Pākehā, it’s around six deaths per 1000.²

When I was younger, I went to school for five years between the ages of seven and 13. Secondary school was mostly for wealthy Pākehā boys whose family could afford it.³

I was taught only in English and speaking Māori was not allowed. I’ve heard lots of stories about kids getting the strap if they spoke te reo in school. Some of the people in our community think there is a strategy to rid us of the language and culture.⁴

There has been some positive progress during my life though. When I was younger, the suffrage movement won women the right to vote in the Westminster system. Though, women still can’t stand for Parliament.⁵

In our culture, wāhine rangatira (women of chiefly status) have always had decision-making power, but with the new European system in place we are having to look for new ways to make our voice heard.⁶

I don’t have kids yet, but I feel it’s my duty because the Māori population has been in decline by about 50% since Pākēha came. The trouble is, I’m actually attracted to women. I’ll never act on those feelings though. It’s not illegal for two women to have sex or be in love, but it is for men and that makes me afraid. 30 years ago, men would get the death penalty for being gay. Nowadays, it’s just flogging, whipping and hard labour.⁷

Three years ago, the first Māori contingent went to fight alongside Pākehā in the war. Some of our people believe this will strengthen our call for equality. Others believe it is fighting a white man’s war. I hear that when men refuse to fight, they are taken to a military camp and fed only bread and water.⁸

This is what life would have been like for me if I was born 100 years ago.

Sometimes I wish I could travel back in time to tell the 100-years-ago-me that life gets better.  

She'd be sad that I can’t speak Māori , but pleased that at schools all around the country kids of all ethnicities sing songs loud and proud in te reo. She’d love that Māori is now recognised as an official language and that when we sing our national anthem we do it in both Māori and English. She’d be proud that the haka is revered around the world.

I’d tell her I have a girlfriend and that it’s legal for us to get married. I’d tell her that men can marry men and that when they leave our shores to fight in a war — it’s by choice, not conscription.

I’d tell her that there is less war and conflict in the world today than ever before.⁹ I’d tell her that not only can women vote — we can be Prime Minister. I’d tell her that we have the largest number of wāhine (female) Māori in Parliament that we’ve ever had.

I’d tell her that when our people get sick, we have public hospitals they can go to.

I’d also tell her that none of this would have been possible without people like her taking action, so that people like me, and you, and all of us, can continue in the mahi (work) of leaving the world a better place than when we found it.

It can be hard to see whether or not we’re closing the gap between the world we have now and the more beautiful world most people everywhere want. But as I look back over the past 100 years, and give thanks to those who came before me for the progress we have made, I feel better about the part we get to play in laying down the foundations for the next 100 years of progress to take place.

The problems we face are enormous, but the problems they faced 100 years ago were enormous too. It’s about chipping away at change — bit by bit.

Peter J Wheeler

http://wheeler@inspire.net.nz

http://www.accessmanawatu.co.nz/Shows/Show-Details.aspx?PID=43d73944-0bf9-44d4-8919-9c5105619241

CAUTION: This message and any accompanying data are intended to be received only by the individual or entity identified and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and subject to copyright Thank you.

Wheeler's Corner 10 11th March 2018

Wheeler’s Corner

“Connecting Citizens Who Care“. Every Monday at 4 pm on Access Manawatu 999AM” Join Peter’s blog http://wheelerscornernz.blogspot.com/  

10 11^th March 2018

Marama Davidson.

1. On Thursday the 8^th of March at 7.30pm 2018 Julie Ann Genter and Marama Davidson addressed a crowd of Green members and supporters to convince them of their abilities to become a Green Co-Leader. Green Party rules require that there will be two Co-Leaders one female and the other male. This of course is revolutionary for the political parties here in New Zealand and even worldwide.

Julie Ann Genter.

As I listened to each of the candidates the realization of just how amazing this process was in this day and age. How democratic, how open and honest. It was and is democracy in action, for real people by real people with real people outcomes.

In the last three plus months all the major parties have replaced their leader or deputy leader, so let’s look in turn at each party processes used to achieve this leadership change:

Bridges, the man who fails to build them.

Firstly National…Do they have co-leadership, the answer is no because in reality it would offend their more conservative supporters. 
In practice it would seem to get a male / female balance they [the caucus] opted under pressure from Green copy cats among its caucus, for Paula Bennett to fill this role. Bill English resigned and a new leader was needed: Their process was to call for nominations and then to discuss within their caucus and decide on a winner. The winner only needed 29 votes for victory and Simon Bridges won after at least one or possibly two ballots. There was little time for the wider membership to get involved or to evaluate their so-called quality for the role of leader. It would appear that Nationals interest in its actual members or supporters only extends to Election Day [time]. Maybe this is the reason for their lack of friends in the political world. And as we are all aware once NZ First opted for Labour, National stood alone, its supporters Act almost completely wiped out, the United and Maori Parties actually in a political sense wiped out. If National finds it unnecessary to offer democracy to its paying members think of how they treat their supporting parties.

Next on my list is New Zealand First it has just appointed a yet another unknown as its Deputy, Fletcher Tabuteau is the new one, he replaces Ron Mark who had only just replaced Tracy Martin.

WP latest pick.

According to Winston Peters the NZF management board selected Tabuteau. But the political media as well as most observers considered that Winston said who he wanted and the NZF Board simply complied.

I have not been able to find a single NZF member who knew that a change was in the wind. So if democracy played any part it was so deep that it was unrecognized by not only the party but also by the public.

I left Labour till last, because it seems to have drifted from democracy into autocratic mode and are now attempting in install an inkling of democracy, Roger Douglas assisted by weak union leadership saw Labour bit by bit destroy the processes that had served them well since the 1930’s. An annual conference that once was politically active and creative was replaced by leadership addresses with canned clapping.

When the ex PSA leader becomes leader of the FOL you realise just how beaten down the once proud union movement has become. Coming back to electing a leader, using the three legged process, Membership, unions, and caucus consensuses is somehow achieved, but this time around Labour claimed that because of time factors it was left to the caucus alone, so much for democracy.

The TPPA is yet another example of saying one thing and doing another.

The government has "bamboozled" voters over plans to sign the revised Trans Pacific Partnership agreement, a Wellington solicitor says.

"They are laying the foundations for exactly the same deal they said was so terrible for New Zealand; they said was so anti-democratic," he said.

"It's funny how now they're in government they've changed their tune."

Trade minister David Parker had "bamboozled" voters by failing to honestly discuss what the TPP would mean for New Zealand, Mr Hailes said.

"He has made such a big deal about the 22 [items suspended from the original agreement] as if they're absolute carve-outs, whereas they're not.

"Any school teacher knows a suspension is not an expulsion."

The decision to sign the new TPP meant people were beginning to lose "their blind faith in the shiny new government", he said.

 https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/352129/govt-has-bamboozled-voters-over-new-tpp

 

PN Its Our Future well represented in Wellington.

So the Labour caucus ignore their membership over TPPA and they did the same over the leadership selection…but they were lucky, National had no friends and the Greens and NZF gave Labour a free ride into government, such is fate with a little manipulation.

The neoliberalist core of Labour still rules in favour of the rich few. But their contribution to long term democratic change for their hard pressed members is still a long way off. We shall see in 2020.

2. Preston is located in England, they hit rock bottom and needed to lift themselves out of their deep hole; this item is absolutely worth a read…here is but a small taste:

“Small cities trailing big histories rank among the flotsam of 21st-century capitalism. With a big enough dowry (some subsidies, perhaps, or free roads and cheap labour), they might catch the eye of a passing multinational bearing some dubious inward investment; A distribution warehouse, say, with poverty-pay jobs, or a high-street killer of a retail park. That was Preston at the start of this decade – and it’s several other places still.

“There is much talk of a “Preston model”, of this place being Corbynism on Earth. But what’s most remarkable is how somewhere so beaten-up – with its streets a mix of empty shops and rough sleepers, and having the highest suicide rate in England – got itself off the floor. How a council that only a few years back hugged multinational Lendlease now espouses localism. How a place that has been on the wrong end of the past 40 years mustered the confidence to strike out on its own? The answer each time has something to do with Matthew Brown.”

To see more go to:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jan/31/preston-hit-rock-bottom-took-back-control

3. What makes our neoliberal Trade Minister believe that trickle down will work this time around, it has never worked in the past, and the people effected most are those at the bottom of the heap and our pensioners. 

Roger Douglas fed that bullshit and Ruth Richardson continued to shove it down our throats…John Key dressed it up with a bit of hair pulling and now David Parker dribbles rubbish words, how much of the so-called three hundred billion gained in theory by this so-called trade deal will trickle down to those in greatest need. 

Remember he won’t even look at income tax increases for the top ten percent until after the next election [2020] and they are the ones who always gain always have and always will! Till you and I stop them...
Cheers  

Peter J Wheeler

http://wheeler@inspire.net.nz

http://www.accessmanawatu.co.nz/Shows/Show-Details.aspx?PID=43d73944-0bf9-44d4-8919-9c5105619241

CAUTION: This message and any accompanying data are intended to be received only by the individual or entity identified and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and subject to copyright Thank you.

Wheelers Corner 09 4th March 2018

Wheeler’s Corner

“Connecting Citizens Who Care“. Every Monday at 4 pm on Access Manawatu 999AM” Join Peter’s blog http://wheelerscornernz.blogspot.com/  

09 4th March 2018

1.

Over one hundred people attended the launch of ‘Together Kia kotahi mai’ on Tuesday at the All Saints Hall. Nobody was hiding behind anyone else; they were open and honest in their wonderful support. They listened and then shared. They were not all one age, they were a fair representation of our community.

This was an enlightened and intelligent community and many of them; the majority by far eager to assist, in the campaign ahead. There won’t be any need for Together-Kia-Kotahi-mai to pay people from Wellington to knock on doors here in the Manawatu, as does Hobson’s Pledge and its mysterious and dark supporters. Because of my natural bias read first what the Manawatu Standard reported:  

https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/101782961/mori-ward-supporters-launch-together-kia-kotahi-mai

At about 7pm Don Esslemont appeared on his trusty cycle, tie and all, and parked outside and I supposed counted the crowd as they departed the scene, I don’t doubt that he was shocked because he is used to holding his Hobson’s Pledge meetings in telephone boxes.

But enough of wee Donald and his negativity towards all things Maori let’s instead put our energy into the positive hence the word ‘Together’. In contrast: The brave and intelligent Councillor’s who showed up were displaying absolute courage in deciding to assist in practical ways to achieve in gaining a yes vote.

This same statement applies to the Mayor as well.

We can only hope that those opposing a Maori Ward can restrain themselves and play the ball rather than the man or woman. Because we inform you who the players are, while the opposition never reveals them-selves, they couldn’t show up at a council meeting to press their case. That, I would suggest says it all, it could be said that they are ashamed, all except Don E he is proud of his association with Don Brash and his invisible followers.

Noticeable was the huge number of women ranging from the young to the elderly and I’m sure they will play a enormous part in the campaign during the coming weeks. I felt proud but humble as I listened to their ideas and concepts as they shared amongst each other.

2.

Looking back: If you have the time have a look back to the turn of the twenty-first century and read just a little about the debate of that time when National Party MP’s like Don Brash commenced stirring the pot by the misuse of terms like ‘Race based politics’: It’s a long read but make the effort for the knowledge it imparts most valuable: You may need to copy this to search then click.

13-Oct-2010_11-46-09_HRC_Maori_representation.pdf

If you would like to join our face-book page go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1607104315993938/

It is now 2018 eight years on from that report: Have we made progress in the inclusion of Maori in our local decision making, some people still talk about Maori standing committees, the Maori involved simply don’t accept charity and prefer Ward style representation as we use for Parliament. Here is what one Maori Ward Councillor had to say:

Councillor Tipene Marr says: “Mäori standing Committees don't work, they are just decorations to make it look like the Council is listening to Mäori. We have to be at the table. We the Mäori Councillor’s at eBop have earned the respect of most of the päkehä Councillor’s. We inform them about the Mäori perspectives, what Mäori are thinking, not what the papers and tv try to screw around to sell papers, the biased view.”

In Palmerston North among the four Councillor’s who voted against having Maori Wards two held the view that Maori Standing committees were the way to go. In NZ we created a partnership between Maori and Päkehä, note I used the word partnership, it’s that word and what it implies that leads some very insecure individuals to shiver and shake in fear of losing their self-styled belief in their own [and I might add race based] superiority.

But as you and I understand when one enters a partnership, one can be treated as a junior Partner, an equal-partner or a senior partner.

The Treaty of Waitangi made Maori an equal partner. That has been our law for almost a century.

The only problem is that some of our citizens retain the belief that Maori should be called a race rather than a partner. By lumping Maori into the same [race] basket as say Chinese, Blacks, and Pacific Islanders etc.  Only Maori signed a treaty with Päkehä here in NZ. To show how shallow some peoples thoughts are, take this unsigned text from the Manawatu Standard:

“Good idea to give preferential treatment to anyone needing help with social issues but should be based on need not race. A lot of non-Maori suffering same problems”

The only thing wrong with the unsigned statement is that it is wrong in fact and reality.

When anyone goes into the Social Welfare Department they are treated just the same.

Their entitlements [if any] are based on the same evidence criteria. If someone like the Text writer or Hobson’s Pledge fans make such idiotic claims they should produce the evidence of preferential treatment because of race.

Using the race card is a easy way to avoid actually learning to accept the stupidity of the statement.

I agree that New Zealanders [including all human beings] be treated in the same way, and as I have found out the criteria is the same for all and no benefits are issued based on race and that Maori are not treated more favorably. Just as they are not treated differently in regard to voting in an general election, they get one electoral vote and one party just as we all do.

There are rules relating to citizenship and time spent in the country but even these are not based on race, but for deciding entitlement and assistance liability of the State. Maori do not have a special benefit rate, higher pensions or sickness benefits, they don’t get any more or less than the rest of us if we find ourselves in need.

Based on Hobson’s Pledge twisted logic I don’t doubt that they will declare the unemployed as a ‘RACE’ and will oppose benefits…
3. 

Guest Blog by Peter Grove

Peter Grove contributed this letter to the present Australian PM. It's hard to disagree with Peters evaluation of the strange fellow:

"Dear Prime Minister,

As a former resident of Australia, and the fact I have two sons and Grandchildren residing in your country I take an interest in Australian affairs. I have to say I am becoming increasingly concerned at what I see you letting happen in your country.

First is the seeming capture of your Government by the Coal Industry leading  to the widespread desolation of Australian Icons. The Great Barrier Reef, being probably the most important. This is quite likely Australia’s most conspicuous natural asset, which in my view should be preserved in pristine condition for the rest of time. Once it’s gone it will be gone for good. What a dreadful thing for you to have on your record as Prime Minister, that you colluded with overseas coal interests to secure the Reef’s total destruction.

I noticed Australia. like New Zealand sent Government Delegations to COP21 held in Paris 2016. Which most likely, like New Zealand promised to assist world-wide efforts to take action to ameliorate the dreadful effects that Climate Change is likely to bring. Your subsequent actions show our respective Governments, considered the entire COP21 Conference a side show, and something not to be taken seriously.

Even China, formerly one of the largest consumers of Australian coal, has woken up to the dire effects Climate Change is already showing in China with dreadful Smogs, which have disabled Beijing this past year. Do you want to be remembered for your part in all of this, as a result of your support for the Coal Barons of the world? It seems not to have dawned on you that the age of coal is dying, before our eyes, as is the age of oil. I notice also the numbers of protests in your country over the laying bare of thousands of hectares of farmland as a result of the insane search for oil.

More recently our Prime Minister Ardern visited you and expressed her disgust at Australia’s inhumane treatment of the dreaded ‘Boat People’, Are you and Prime Ministers preceding you unable to recognise the dire circumstances those people are trying to escape from, or have the humanity to try to help them?

Rather than treating them as outcasts, and confining them to what can rightfully called ‘Concentration Camps’ Every bit on par with those of WWII in Hitler’s Germany. I noticed Prime Minister Ardern offered to help by offering a place of quietness and peace to a number of those unfortunate refugees. Which you spurned, much to the disgust of New Zealanders. It seems in New Zealand that you wish to be known as the principal persecutor of these unfortunate people, with your obvious desire  to keep them in misery in your country.

As if this wasn’t enough comes the outrageous treatment of people of New Zealand descent you have seen fit to incarcerate in yet another concentration camp on a remote island. O K they may have transgressed Australian laws and must be punished, but surely not in this fashion. Doesn’t Australia have normal prison facilities where prisoners are treated with a degree of respect? As ordained by laws pertaining to the treatment of people in custody.

I also notice your moves in the Parliament to close down lawful protest in your country. How does that comply with the common ideals, which we are told are the cornerstones of democracy? I have also noticed the Australian penchant to win at all costs, which brings to mind the infamous underarm bowling incident in a game of cricket years ago. Am I to believe that in the event of victory likely to be to an opponent, the only ready answer is to cheat. The incessant wailing and upset that follows in the wake of an Australian team losing to its opponents, is not an isolated spectacle. Is it a worthy stance for a Government to take when it appears it could lose to one of its opponents?

In conclusion may I remind you of the words of the bible: ‘As Ye Sew, so shall Ye Reap’.

Thanks Peter you are spot on!

Peter J Wheeler

http://wheeler@inspire.net.nz

http://www.accessmanawatu.co.nz/Shows/Show-Details.aspx?PID=43d73944-0bf9-44d4-8919-9c5105619241