Friday, August 29, 2008

McCain Palin 08


Senator John McCain has chosen 44 year old Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin to be his running mate for the 2008 US Presidential election.

This is a good choice for Sen McCain as Gov Palin has a strong approval rating of 80% +/- in Alaska, she has age on her side and she is a lady, as well as her conservative progressive views. This should seal the deal for the disgruntled Clinton voters who are planing on voting outside of the Democratic party this time, it should help with the folks who were not 100% on Mitt Romney, and it will be the second time ever that a lady has been nominated for the VP of the USA.

I think that Gov. Sarah Palin is a great choice. I expect a President McCain in November with the first ever female VP Sarah Palin.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

McCains VP???

So... Sen Obama has made a strong choice in Sen Biden for VP, who will John McCain pick?

I think that there are a couple of options. Mitt Romney seems to be the most preferred as he is rather strong on the economy, is a successful businessman and was popular in the nominations. He had a few head butts with Sen McCain at the beginning, but they'd make a strong team. Will having a Mormon VP put the ever important conservative league of the Republican party off though?

Secretary of State Rice has been mentioned although it will probably be a long shot. She has mentioned she is not interested (but so had Biden), but she'd do a great job. She appears to be single and there has never been a Lady VP, a black VP or a single VP in history (with certain exceptions), so having Sec Rice as VP would break all the records. Might look like a continuation of the Bush Cheney administration though???Gov Charlie Crist of Florida. He is a strong support of John McCain and also is a popular Governor in a state with 27 Electoral college votes which would be handy..... He has a similar look to John McCain and is engaged to be married soon. Governor Huckabee.... Mike Huckabee is a very charasmatic fellow. He has got a great sense of humor, he has been a successful and popular Governor of Arkansas and he appeals to the conservatives having been a Baptist Minister in the past. He plays in a rock bank and is very likable. He'd make a fantastic VP in my opinion, but can he pull as many votes for McCain as Romney would?Sen Lieberman and Sen McCain are very good friends. Sen Lieberman was Al Gore's VP choice in 2000 which was unsuccessful. Sen Lieberman is an Independant who votes with the Democratic causus and has been very outspoken for John McCain. I am not sure that it is necessarily a good idea to have Sen Lieberman as VP. If he is not VP and McCain wins I would be sure that he will be in President McCain's cabinet.What about this wild card.........???Anything is possible in US politics.......

Obama Biden 08


Sen Obama has made his decision. His VP candidate is Sen Biden of Deleware. As I mentioned below, I do like Sen Biden, he does shoot from the hip, he makes the odd faux pas which is human and he has a sence of humor. He is also rather strong on defence and has been working with John McCain for over 25 years in the Senate. This will be interesting.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

ACT party list. Beryl Good #20


ACT has released it's party list today. It looks good although #5 is still blank. It will be interesting to see who fills the position.... Rumors persist that it may be Sir Bob Jones, Richard Prebble, Muriel Newman or another wildcard. It seems that the spot was for Kenneth Wang but he is looking to contest Botany against Pansy Wong.

It is also nice to see that my Mother Beryl Good is #20 on the list. She is actively and diligently canvassing for the Party Vote for ACT in Rodney District and is working hard to get the message across that a Party Vote for ACT will make a difference.

All the best to ACT and National in this coming election. Together they can truly take NZ to a new level..... It is time for change.

Who will Obama chose?

While my support is behind John McCain for the 2008 Presidential elections, it is going to be a close one and probably one of the most exciting US Presidential elections in quite some time. Sen Obama is a charismatic person who can make a great speech. He is admired and if he is to be elected President in November ( John will win ), I'd like him to choose someone as V.P who I think would be good at the job. The rumor is that he will be making his choise tomorrow morning and I'd be impressed if he chose Sen Biden. Lets see what happens.

Monday, August 04, 2008

ACT gaining momentum!

According to the latest Roy Morgan poll ACT NZ and Labour is up in the polls, with NZ First and National losing some support. These polls are not 100% accurate and don't sample a large amount of people, so it's not time to make presumptuous suggestions as yet. But if the positivity keeps going for ACT, then there is a very good chance that ACT could be the backbone for National after this coming election. Now that would be a step in the right direction for all New Zealander's.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

5.4 Mag Earthquake in Los Angeles this morning

I was on the phone at the office on the 11th floor of our building in Marina del Rey when I heard some expletives on the other side of the telephone line then the whole building shook like I had never felt before. I have been in LA for 6.5 years and this was the biggest earthquake I had felt. My Assistant and Sales Director have gone home for a lay down. There have been 27 after shocks in the hour since the quake and luckily there is no tsunami warning.
Was a bit of a rush, reminded me of being on a large boat in large swells.

Glad there is no reports of bad damage or death.

Welcome to Los Angeles.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Condoleezza Rice in New Zealand

I think it is great that Winston Peters and the Government of NZ has extended and invitation to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to visit NZ. I think it is even better that she excepted the offer and is currently in New Zealand. I think Winston peters has done a lot for US-NZ relations and I hope the NZ public offer her a pleasant welcome.

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

We are in a Bear Market

The DOW is down at 11,191 which puts us in a Bear Market. It has to close at this level to make it official. A Bear Market normally averages 14 months, so there may be some good investment opportunities out there soon.

Monday, June 30, 2008

30,000 Hits

30,000 Hits

It is nice to see that today I had my 30 thousandth hit on puntiki.blogspot.com
Thanks to all of you who keep an eye on me on a regular basis. With the NZ and US elections coming up this year I will en devour to make a few more posts on a regular basis.

Keep coming back. Cheers Rob in LA.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

ACT in the NZ elections 2008

In the post below is a list of electorates in New Zealand, the MP who won the seat and the margin of votes in which the candidate won the seat.

While I am here in Italy, I certainly have a bit of time to put some effort into this blog so I thought about how ACT can get at least 10% in the next election which will probably give them the balance of power hopefully with their logical ally and effective cousin National .

Now this is all hypothetical and it is based on the previous election in which Labour came out ahead so really I am sure this will be picked to pieces by anyone who is an expert in these fields but...

If ACT was to get 1/2 of the margin that the winning MP got over the second candidate then it would equate to about 10.33% of the vote without taking the local MP favorites away from the voting public. I did not count the Maori seats or Epsom, although the mathematicians out there wont take more than 3 or 4 minutes to figure it out.

I have also identified seats in which the margin is about 4% or less. These are the seats where competent ACT candidates should run for the seat and give it 100%. These seats are:

East Coast: Which went to National with a vote margin of 1219
Hamilton West: which went to Labour with a margin of 825
Otaki: Which went to Labour with a margin of only 382 votes
Rotorua: Went to Labour with a margin of only 662 votes
Taupo: Labour with a margin of 1285 votes
and
Tauranga which should be left to National's Simon Bridges who will make a brilliant MP.
(margin 730)

So taking Tauranga out of it, and adding Epsom for Rodney there are 6 electorates in NZ in the forthcoming election that ACT should seriously have a go at. Along with 1 in ten people voting for ACT with a Party vote getting about 10% or slightly more then ACT are in a serious position to make a difference in NZ. The public of NZ are looking for a change and are slightly weary of the two main parties. This would provide a change for the better for all New Zealander's and would give National weary supporters strength in knowing that effective cousin ACT is there for stability and verification.

I have mentioned to Rodney a way that I think will get as much as 15-20%+ of the party vote. Time will tell if ACT use that idea..... If I can take a page out of Sen Barack's book I would have to agree and say that it is time for change. If National get over a 50% majority will that necessarily make for a better NZ, or will it make for a regime that makes all of the decisions as they please without being checked on the consequences? Time will tell.

NZ election results 2005

ElectorateResultWinning Candidate2nd PlaceMargin
Aoraki100.0%GOODHEW, Jo (NAT)SUTTON, Jim (LAB)6,937
Auckland Central100.0%TIZARD, Judith (LAB)WONG, Pansy (NAT)3,884
Banks Peninsula100.0%DYSON, Ruth (LAB)CARTER, David (NAT)1,923
Bay of Plenty100.0%RYALL, Tony (NAT)SCOTT, Pauline (LAB)13,584
Christchurch Central100.0%BARNETT, Tim (LAB)WAGNER, Nicky (NAT)7,836
Christchurch East100.0%DALZIEL, Lianne (LAB)ROUND, David John (NAT)11,973
Clevedon100.0%COLLINS, Judith (NAT)HEREORA, David Murray (LAB)12,871
Clutha-Southland100.0%ENGLISH, Bill (NAT)TALBOT, David (LAB)13,032
Coromandel100.0%GOUDIE, Sandra (NAT)PURNELL, Max (LAB)10,578
Dunedin North100.0%HODGSON, Pete (LAB)RICH, Katherine (NAT)7,630
Dunedin South100.0%BENSON-POPE, David Henry (LAB)POWELL, Conway (NAT)10,640
East Coast100.0%TOLLEY, Anne (NAT)MACKEY, Moana Lynore (LAB)1,219
East Coast Bays100.0%McCULLY, Murray (NAT)McCRACKEN, Hamish (LAB)7,286
Epsom100.0%HIDE, Rodney (ACT)WORTH, Richard (NAT)3,102
Hamilton East100.0%BENNETT, David (NAT)YATES, Dianne Fae (LAB)5,298
Hamilton West100.0%GALLAGHER, Martin Owen (LAB)MACINDOE, Tim (NAT)825
Helensville100.0%KEY, John (NAT)LAWLEY, Judy (LAB)12,778
Hutt South100.0%MALLARD, Trevor (LAB)THOMAS, Rosemarie (NAT)5,740
Ilam100.0%BROWNLEE, Gerry (NAT)BLANCHARD, Julian (LAB)7,821
Invercargill100.0%ROY, Eric (NAT)HARPUR, Wayne (LAB)2,052
Kaikoura100.0%KING, Colin (NAT)BURNS, Brendon (LAB)4,675
Mana100.0%LABAN, Winnie (LAB)FINLAYSON, Christopher (NAT)6,734
Mangere100.0%FIELD, Taito Phillip (LAB)SIMICH, Clem (NAT)16,020
Manukau East100.0%ROBERTSON, Ross (LAB)YEE, Ken (NAT)9,890
Manurewa100.0%HAWKINS, George Warren (LAB)AIONO, Fepulea'i Ulua'ipou-O-Malo (NAT)11,707
Maungakiekie100.0%GOSCHE, Mark (LAB)GOLDSMITH, Paul (NAT)6,450
Mt Albert100.0%CLARK, Helen Elizabeth (LAB)MUSUKU, Ravi (NAT)14,749
Mt Roskill100.0%GOFF, Phil (LAB)BLUE, Jackie (NAT)9,895
Napier100.0%TREMAIN, Chris (NAT)FAIRBROTHER, Russell (LAB)3,591
Nelson100.0%SMITH, Nick (NAT)McCUTCHEON, Jen (LAB)10,226
New Lynn100.0%CUNLIFFE, David (LAB)HARRIS, Mita (NAT)8,078
New Plymouth100.0%DUYNHOVEN, Harry (LAB)IRVING, Moira (NAT)5,439
North Shore100.0%MAPP, Wayne (NAT)TWYFORD, Phil (LAB)9,701
Northcote100.0%COLEMAN, Jonathan (NAT)HARTLEY, Ann (LAB)2,383
Northland100.0%CARTER, John (NAT)JONES, Shane Geoffrey (LAB)9,275
Ohariu-Belmont100.0%DUNNE, Peter (UFNZ)CHAUVEL, Charles (LAB)7,702
Otago100.0%DEAN, Jacqui (NAT)PARKER, David (LAB)1,995
Otaki100.0%HUGHES, Darren (LAB)GUY, Nathan (NAT)382
Pakuranga100.0%WILLIAMSON, Maurice (NAT)WOOD, Michael Philip (LAB)9,582
Palmerston North100.0%MAHAREY, Steven (LAB)PLIMMER, Malcolm (NAT)5,500
Piako100.0%TISCH, Lindsay (NAT)MORONEY, Sue (LAB)8,351
Port Waikato100.0%HUTCHISON, Paul (NAT)WALL, Louisa (LAB)13,498
Rakaia100.0%CONNELL, Brian (NAT)MILNE, Tony Robert (LAB)10,448
Rangitikei100.0%POWER, Simon (NAT)BROWN, Marilyn (LAB)9,660
Rimutaka100.0%SWAIN, Paul (LAB)LEDDY, Mike (NAT)8,277
Rodney100.0%SMITH, Lockwood (NAT)DUNLOP, Tony (LAB)11,536
Rongotai100.0%KING, Annette Faye (LAB)YOUNG, Nicola M J (NAT)12,638
Rotorua100.0%CHADWICK, Stephanie (Steve) (LAB)STEHBENS, Gil (NAT)662
Tamaki100.0%PEACHEY, Allan (NAT)BOYLE, Leila (LAB)9,510
Taranaki-King Country100.0%ARDERN, Shane (NAT)STREET, Maryan (LAB)13,118
Taupo100.0%BURTON, Mark (LAB)KIRTON, Weston Mervyn (NAT)1,285
Tauranga100.0%CLARKSON, Bob (NAT)PETERS, Winston (NZF)730
Te Atatu100.0%CARTER, Chris (LAB)HENARE, Tau (NAT)10,447
Tukituki100.0%FOSS, Craig (NAT)BARKER, Rick (LAB)2,402
Waimakariri100.0%COSGROVE, Clayton (LAB)WILKINSON, Kate (NAT)5,606
Wairarapa100.0%HAYES, John (NAT)MacKENZIE, Denise (LAB)2,752
Waitakere100.0%PILLAY, Lynne (LAB)BENNETT, Paula (NAT)4,942
Wellington Central100.0%HOBBS, Marian (LAB)BLUMSKY, Mark (NAT)6,180
West Coast-Tasman100.0%O'CONNOR, Damien Peter (LAB)AUCHINVOLE, Chris (NAT)2,154
Whanganui100.0%BORROWS, Chester (NAT)PETTIS, Jill (LAB)2,402
Whangarei100.0%HEATLEY, Phil (NAT)CHALMERS, Paul (LAB)9,089
Wigram100.0%ANDERTON, Jim (JAP)LOMAX, Allison (NAT)8,548
Ikaroa-Rawhiti100.0%HOROMIA, Parekura (LAB)POANANGA, Atareta (MAOR)1,932
Tainui100.0%MAHUTA, Nanaia (LAB)GREENSILL, Angeline (MAOR)1,860
Tamaki Makaurau100.0%SHARPLES, Pita Russell (MAOR)TAMIHERE, John (LAB)2,127
Te Tai Hauauru100.0%TURIA, Tariana (MAOR)MASON, Errol (LAB)5,113
Te Tai Tokerau100.0%HARAWIRA, Hone Pani Tamati Waka Nene (MAOR)SAMUELS, Dover (LAB)3,613
Te Tai Tonga100.0%OKEROA, Mahara (LAB)OHIA, Monte (MAOR)2,503
Waiariki100.0%FLAVELL, Te Ururoa (MAOR)RIRINUI, Mita (LAB)2,871

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

On Holiday in Europe

I am currently situated in Corsanico, which is in Tuscany in Italy. It is very nice here. I am staying the www.d-h-h.com house here with my family and friends. (Not a free bee). It is very nice here with about 2 acres, a pool and guest house, spectacular views and even a cherry tree ripe for the picking. I am also particularly impressed with the BMW X5 diesel (Just like Pablo's) which has plenty of power and lasts about 400 miles on a fuel tank. Bring on the BMW diesels in the USA. I flew in yesterday from Glasgow in Scotland where I visited cousin Derek and his lady and twins. The twins were very well behaved for nearly being 2 and the haggis and irn bru, which is a favorite of mine, tasted just as good this time as it did 7 years ago, even better.
Here for another couple of days, then a quick stop off in Munich and London then back to Los Angeles for my friends Kristin and Scott's wedding. What a fun week.

Monday, June 09, 2008

2009 Cadillac CTS-V


It seems that the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is going to be a tire smoking power house. Its 6.2-liter supercharged V8 is expected to produce 556 horsepower at 6,100rpm and 551 pound-feet of torque at 3,800rpm. Cadillac claims the CTS-V sedan will go from 0-to-60mph in just 3.9 seconds and through the quarter mile in 12 seconds flat. Now that my friends is FAST.

Top speed when equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission is limited to 175mph. Get the six-speed manual and you’re free to run all the way to 191mph. Autobahn type situation on our hands courtesy of Detroit.

Even with gas at about $5 per gallon, if it is as economical as it's cousin the Corvette ZO6 then this may well be the candidate for my next vehicle.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Ananda's War

This is a video about Ananda McClure who is an Iraqi war Veteran x 3 and a good friend of mine. He committed suicide in May 2006 and producer Erica Bardin has made an exceptional documentary about him and his life. It brings to attention that there are certainly more Veterans out there, from many countries, in a similar position to Ananda, who deserve our help whether you believe in the war(s) or not . The video is 25 minutes long.


Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Sunday, March 23, 2008

ACT is back???

It seems that ACT is beginning to prepare for a successful bid in the NZ general election which will be held later this year. Party co founder Sir Roger Douglas is back fighting for the party after a sabbatical. He and ACT leader Rodney Hide have put their previous differences apart and are working well together at once again raising ACT's profile with the general public.

Rodney is reasonably well known as the pitbull MP who went dancing with the stars and is practically half the man he used to be, having lost a tremendous amount of weight and got fit.

Sir Roger is known as a forward thinker who has a uncanny knack of commanding attention and making changes. I find it very interesting that within a couple of weeks of getting invited back and putting his hat in the ring, Sir Roger has managed to get constant write ups in the press, has the current Finance Minister making comment on his return as well as the leader of the opposition John Key.

I think that Sir Roger has the ability to stir the pot and ACT has now created an opening for the voting public of NZ for a genuine point of difference. Labour is stagnant and National is not being aggressive enough to really make a point of difference from Labour. ACT is.

I think that people of any country want the benefit at least these 3 things.

1. More available funds without high inflation. The ability to make your earned income go further

2. The ability to "Green up" and implement change to decrease environmental damage and independence of foreign oil.

3. Safety and security. Knowing that law enforcement and the government is there to protect you, your family and your country.

I am sure that any reasonable thinking voter in New Zealand, Canada, USA, South Africa, Iraq, Australia and the world weather they are left, right or independent thinking would fundamentally agree with 1-3 above. It is not too difficult to implement 1-3 above, but first you need to identify a party that is actually going to make the changes. ACT!

When taxes are lowered, it is unwise to increase spending. ACT proposes to decrease taxes which is a benefit for all legally earning taxpayers on all levels of the financial spectrum. ACT proposes (as it always has) to not increase spending from the current levels.

It always amazes me that the Green party manages to get a rather high poll rating in comparison to other parties. Most of the Green Party candidates are not necessarily the folk that you'd like to have in control of the country are they?, but some of their policies are great.

It seems that the public would take the punt on giving the Greens a taste of power if it only means that they will implement some of their policy. Well ACT is here.... ACT has a "smart Green" policy. It is not good enough just to be green, you have to be smart about it. Allowing investment in reducing dependence on foreign oil, creating energy security and economic policies that facilitate environmental innovation are good for the country and good for our response to shifting environmental threats. Isn't it best to have a party that is not only green, but innovative, economically savvy and motivated to put more of your income in your hand?
ACT could take it a step further by using Rodney's previous training and putting forward a plan that could or would allow NZ to be oil independent in 20 years using renewable resources.

Security is an important factor for anyone. It is important that changes are made to provide and supply more police who are trained correctly and are heading in the right direction. You hear of people in distress having to catch a taxi because the police are busy, people afraid to venture out at night and police failing to arrive to inspect a property when a burglary or break in has occurred, but when you go 10 KPH over the speed limit there is always plenty of police to revenue gather and give you a fine. Seems that the priorities given by the government need to change don't you think? Labour has been in since 1999.... Change is not coming from Labour.

ACT proposes change, ACT instigates change and ACT will make changes for the benefit of all voters. All it takes is your understanding, acceptance, support and party vote for ACT (with the exception of Epsom where it is important to vote for the ACT candidate Rodney Hide MP.)

It is very likely that the next PM will be John Key which will be a boost for NZ. But you wouldn't necessarily give the keys to your new Holden with a full tank of gas to a learner driver who may not bring it back the same way you were hoping for. You need to have a trust worthy guardian with the driver and if John Key and National are the driver, then it is in the best interest of you the owner / voter to have ACT as the guardian. Do your research.... www.act.org.nz if you like what you see join, support, donate and vote ACT.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Australian F1 Grand Prix 2008


The Australian Grand Prix, the first of the 2008 Formula One season will be held on Sunday (Australian time) I would like to predict that Kimi Raikkonen will once again be World Champion with Ferrari. I think he may just win in Melbourne this weekend too??? It is going to be an exciting year in F1. hope Australia is still on the F1 circuit this time next year?.