Hey, today is Thanksgiving in the US and Friday after in New Zealand.
For the first couple of years we tried to do a little celebration here in Wellington. But it was, of course, nothing like home. A family holiday just isn't a family holiday with no family and when no one else is celebrating.
NZ has a number of good substitutions so we certainly don't suffer from lack of great food or days off. For me, I only miss the chance to get together with everyone, to putter around my parent's house, and get to hang out with my brother(s) and sister. I haven't seen my nieces and nephew in years. And of course I miss Chandler and Sabrina most of all. **Hugs** for you all.
Today is beautiful. A stunning warm day by the sea in New Zealand. The other night the full spread of the southern stars were out. The moon over the water is as stunning as the sun. Life still has its complexities, but it is good. I am thankful for all these things I have seen and done. I am always hopeful for the chance to visit and see more family more often. I take full advantage of each day by the beach. I climb mountains and ride along coasts. I tramp through cool woods and look out from wild high places.
Life is never perfect. Life is always perfect.
Happy Thanksgiving one and all. Looking forward to seeing you on the horizon very soon!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
US Justice system is attacking Americans
Last year I wrote about an article from the Rolling Stone that described how Goldman Sachs was allowed to outright steal billions from the Stock Market by Naked Short Selling and still nothing has been done. Goldman Sachs still controls our economy under the Obama administration...
Now the same reporter details how in the aftermath of the housing crisis, banks are in some cases stealing homes from owners. The regulations around proof of lean ownership are being tossed out the window and banks are bold-faced making up documents to prove they own mortgages to foreclose on them.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/17390/232611
Again I'll point out that while many people may have bought too much house to afford, they mostly did it on the advice of the lenders who all universally encouraged them as financial professionals that they could afford these loans. The banks were financially motivated to make any loan to virtually anyone which they did in the most convoluted way possible and at factory speed. Millions of home loans were created, sold, re-sold, combined, sold, and then used as investment holdings. They lied about their value consistently for decades. Now they blame delinquent mortgage payers as they justify fast tracking 100's of thousands of foreclosures. What the hell is going on in America?
Now the same reporter details how in the aftermath of the housing crisis, banks are in some cases stealing homes from owners. The regulations around proof of lean ownership are being tossed out the window and banks are bold-faced making up documents to prove they own mortgages to foreclose on them.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/17390/232611
Again I'll point out that while many people may have bought too much house to afford, they mostly did it on the advice of the lenders who all universally encouraged them as financial professionals that they could afford these loans. The banks were financially motivated to make any loan to virtually anyone which they did in the most convoluted way possible and at factory speed. Millions of home loans were created, sold, re-sold, combined, sold, and then used as investment holdings. They lied about their value consistently for decades. Now they blame delinquent mortgage payers as they justify fast tracking 100's of thousands of foreclosures. What the hell is going on in America?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
The Lakota
A long while ago I wrote this blog about Maori history. I touch on the feeling that, for me, Maori history was so miraculous to read about because of the history in my own country. I think most Americans know what has happened to our own indigenous population, but we don't dwell on it. You couldn't... it is too much. But I found this video last night and I thought I would re-post it. It is not a happy TED video. But I think it shows in stark contrast how the Lakota are treated compared to how the Maori have been treated.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Wellington has no Pay-At-Pump
Disclaimer: Author has not visited all petrol stations in Wellington region. There are at least 2 completely un-manned pay-at-pump stations--1 of these just opened last week.
I pondered this the other day and felt this mild difference between Wellington an the US was note-worthy. None of the petrol stations I visit have any facility to pay at the pump. Many stations require that you pre-pay--especially at odd hours or for pumps that are in the ideal jet-away-illegally position. But they just don't do pay at the pump.
To me, this is particularly odd since Kiwi's live and die by their EFTPOS (debit card) for virtually everything. The coffee cart in the parking lot will take one. Even the gas station will take it at the register... just not at the pump. I don't know if the system to set this up is just seen as added expense or what. Certainly adding the feature now would be a cost sink and probably couldn't be made up with petrol sales so the pump owners would have to just absorb it.
In some ways this is quintessential Kiwi. Folks here are very stingy about value. Few things are done merely for convenience, it has to have real meaningful value. Paying at the cashier only takes a few more minutes. As the crime rate rises, they might drive toward it as a safer option for midnight cashiers, but just to save a few minutes for the average punter? yeah nah, bro (means No). The attitude is something like "Go inside like everyone else. Talk to real human. Buy some coffee."
There are 2 fully automated stations with no attendants, but these appear to really only be used commercially. I tried using it once and eventually had to give up. They are not like the dummy-proof devices in the US. There is one pay station and you have to select which pump you're paying for and know how much you're going to pump in advance, etc. Even then I couldn't get the damn thing to work. So for purposes of this discussion, I can still say there isn't really a pay-at-pump option.
One could also say that New Zealand is just behind the times a bit. This is often repeated. I think the Beatles are even quoted as saying New Zealand was just like the UK... in the 1800's. So I suppose it isn't surprising that this modern frivolity is absent. And that's really the point of this post. NZ is not striving to be at the cutting edge of modern. NZ typically does not attempt to deliver every convenience. The very idea is distasteful to Kiwis.
I pondered this the other day and felt this mild difference between Wellington an the US was note-worthy. None of the petrol stations I visit have any facility to pay at the pump. Many stations require that you pre-pay--especially at odd hours or for pumps that are in the ideal jet-away-illegally position. But they just don't do pay at the pump.
To me, this is particularly odd since Kiwi's live and die by their EFTPOS (debit card) for virtually everything. The coffee cart in the parking lot will take one. Even the gas station will take it at the register... just not at the pump. I don't know if the system to set this up is just seen as added expense or what. Certainly adding the feature now would be a cost sink and probably couldn't be made up with petrol sales so the pump owners would have to just absorb it.
In some ways this is quintessential Kiwi. Folks here are very stingy about value. Few things are done merely for convenience, it has to have real meaningful value. Paying at the cashier only takes a few more minutes. As the crime rate rises, they might drive toward it as a safer option for midnight cashiers, but just to save a few minutes for the average punter? yeah nah, bro (means No). The attitude is something like "Go inside like everyone else. Talk to real human. Buy some coffee."
There are 2 fully automated stations with no attendants, but these appear to really only be used commercially. I tried using it once and eventually had to give up. They are not like the dummy-proof devices in the US. There is one pay station and you have to select which pump you're paying for and know how much you're going to pump in advance, etc. Even then I couldn't get the damn thing to work. So for purposes of this discussion, I can still say there isn't really a pay-at-pump option.
One could also say that New Zealand is just behind the times a bit. This is often repeated. I think the Beatles are even quoted as saying New Zealand was just like the UK... in the 1800's. So I suppose it isn't surprising that this modern frivolity is absent. And that's really the point of this post. NZ is not striving to be at the cutting edge of modern. NZ typically does not attempt to deliver every convenience. The very idea is distasteful to Kiwis.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
They died for your right to vote
This is going around a lot today... and it's bugging me. First things first... Vote. Vote today and every day you're allowed. Celebrate your right to vote and remember that indeed perhaps the best thing our Armed Forces can collectively point to as a reason to sacrifice is this all important right to vote. But...
Let's be honest here. US Soldier's haven't been dying for our right to vote since perhaps WWI. They have been dying on the various missions of our Government which have been decided upon by our politicians. Our politicians have largely been elected by their ability to secure massive campaign funding. That funding comes from corporate contributions and wealthy donation. Corporations and the wealthy donate that money in their own self-interest. It is not much of a leap to say our Armed Forces go out to die for those self-interests. Now I can't speak for how the world worked in WWI or WWII, but that's how it's working today.
I don't say this to belittle the contribution our more contemporary service men and women make today. They are amazing, heroic, and nobel in the real definitions of each word. But the Armed Forces are extentions of Political Will. The Political Will of Bush to invade Iraq did not further the interests of Americans. It did not make our right to vote more secure. It did not foster a spirit of global unity which resulted in an improved view of the American Way of life. I hate to characterize why those soldiers died. I am afraid if I really understood why they died I'd be so disgusted I couldn't write about it and I'd be ashamed to call myself an American.
So, to me, saying our soldiers (today) have died to protect my right to vote feels like an insult to soldiers. A lie. A convenient justification to the price of freedom. I just can't stomach it. Certainly (hopefully) some of what soldiers do and die for is the protection of freedom and Americans. But sooo much is not. It still boils down to political interest and corporate agenda. Your right to buy cheap socks from Wal-mart might also be something our soldiers are dying for. The right of ridiculously wealthy oil barons to remain ridiculously wealthy. Perhaps even worse rights.
None of this is the fault of the soldiers. None of this reduces the value of your right to vote. Just be careful what you attribute to a soldier's sacrifice. Be honest about what we ask them to die for. Do not allow a politician to convince you that they are dying for your right vote, for your freedom. Or at least realize there are other reasons far less nobel that they may also be dying for... and Vote.
Let's be honest here. US Soldier's haven't been dying for our right to vote since perhaps WWI. They have been dying on the various missions of our Government which have been decided upon by our politicians. Our politicians have largely been elected by their ability to secure massive campaign funding. That funding comes from corporate contributions and wealthy donation. Corporations and the wealthy donate that money in their own self-interest. It is not much of a leap to say our Armed Forces go out to die for those self-interests. Now I can't speak for how the world worked in WWI or WWII, but that's how it's working today.
I don't say this to belittle the contribution our more contemporary service men and women make today. They are amazing, heroic, and nobel in the real definitions of each word. But the Armed Forces are extentions of Political Will. The Political Will of Bush to invade Iraq did not further the interests of Americans. It did not make our right to vote more secure. It did not foster a spirit of global unity which resulted in an improved view of the American Way of life. I hate to characterize why those soldiers died. I am afraid if I really understood why they died I'd be so disgusted I couldn't write about it and I'd be ashamed to call myself an American.
So, to me, saying our soldiers (today) have died to protect my right to vote feels like an insult to soldiers. A lie. A convenient justification to the price of freedom. I just can't stomach it. Certainly (hopefully) some of what soldiers do and die for is the protection of freedom and Americans. But sooo much is not. It still boils down to political interest and corporate agenda. Your right to buy cheap socks from Wal-mart might also be something our soldiers are dying for. The right of ridiculously wealthy oil barons to remain ridiculously wealthy. Perhaps even worse rights.
None of this is the fault of the soldiers. None of this reduces the value of your right to vote. Just be careful what you attribute to a soldier's sacrifice. Be honest about what we ask them to die for. Do not allow a politician to convince you that they are dying for your right vote, for your freedom. Or at least realize there are other reasons far less nobel that they may also be dying for... and Vote.
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