7 years in USA today.

Time has flown, it seemed like just yesterday I packed up and said goodbye to family and friends in Auckland and hopped aboard NZ1 to LAX to make a new life in America. Well that was 3-27-2002.

When I first arrived after getting through the secondary inspection by immigration officers and got my passport stamped for permanent residency and employment I was greeted by my cousin Jo who allowed me to board at her house for a good few months. I got a job at Santa Monica BMW, mostly because a friend of mine in NZ knew the owner and due to that a job was offered. Moved on to Beverly Hills BMW and then back to SM BMW after a year. I then got into real estate with Keller Williams Realty which I am doing now and working with Nick at DHH.
When I first arrived it was shortly after 9-11. There were US flags everywhere and there was and still is a lot of patriotism. Now the US flags have been replaced with Obama / Biden stickers, but I will remain open as to how long that will last.
I have experienced most all of my friends getting married back in NZ and have 1 two or even 3 kids, so I have made it back a couple of times to witness the transfer for wedding rings, baby photos and swearing in's which is nice.
Rodney Hide is now a Minister, won Epsom twice and is making headway. Act has 5 MP's. Pablo is a councilor, on many important boards and is doing very well for the people of Auckland. John Banks got voted in for the second time, knocking off the cereal king, Simon Bridges has defeated Winston Peters to take the Tauranga seat, and at long last NZ has a center right government under the leadership of John Key MP.
USA has had 8 years of GWB. He didn't leave as the most popular President, but I respect him for doing what he did for USA. BHO #44 is a charasmatic President. He is starting to feel what it is like to step into the shoes of #43 and so far he is doing a pretty good job. I will give him some time to settle in bofore I become super critical.
So BBQ tonight, hot dogs and burbon.... Bit like NZ really except that apple pie tastes better here.

I celebrated the day by buying some shares.... Wonder how much they will be worth in 7 more years?

Question of the day. If Milo is such a NZ icon and staple, why is it made in Australia???

Greg Johnson's new animated video "I got opinions"

Just released, be the first to see Greg Johnson's I got opinions video. The animation took many months by a hard working crew in New Zealand and is very interesting. Enjoy.

Visiting New Zealand this week.

I am off to visit New Zealand for a week. Have an important wedding to attend and family and friends to visit. Looking forward to fishing, having some Bluff oysters, Kilkenny beer ( even though it is from Ireland ), couple of pies, some fish and chips, Dad's famous lamb shanks and of course a banana milkshake.

I will be attending a Greg Johnson gig at the Spiegeltent at the Aotea Center on Thursday 12th. It will be good to see Greg and Ted play their old favorites, and new hits. Tickets are on sale here. Come along and have a beer or two...

I am not the biggest fan of Air New Zealands 777's. I prefur the 4 engined 747-400. If 4 engines are required for the POTUS then they are good enough for me. I have my fingers crossed that the Air NZ management will join Lufthansa and order the new 747-800 which is yet to be produced. I am also looking to fly at the front of the plane, so if that is confirmed I will give a review. I hope my experience is better than Cactus Kate's, and I have no intention on sleeping in the nick on the plane. Every time I have flown Air NZ Business Premier I have had a great experience, except they are ALWAYS out of the reisling that I would have liked to try.

President Obama's speech to Congress

I watched President Obama's speech today to Congress. I felt it was effective and impressive. Gov Jindals response was ok, but could have been better.

Obama visits Canada

#44 took his first International trip today since taking office and visited Canada. It is a tradition for the US President to make his first International trip to Canada although #43 GWB broke that record by visiting Mexico first instead.
It is time for stronger US-Canadian relations and between PM Harper and President Obama I think it can be done. Canadians tend to have a slight negativity towards the USA somewhat like NZ and Australia, but when push comes to shove it is time to get over that as both countries are interdependent in many areas.
It looks like an agreement has been made between Canada and USA about clean energy. Afghanistan was talked about, as that is a touchy point for the Canadian people, and further energy sharing was discussed.
Last time that there was true leader friendship between Ottawa and D.C was with the 4oth President of USA Ronald Reagan and 18th PM of Canada Mulroney, they were great friends. I wonder if a bi-partisan friendship will be created with the current leadership?

Fancy a cup of cow urine?

Does your Pepsi lack pep? Is your Coke not the real thing? According to the Times online, India's Hindu nationalist movement apparently has the answer: a new soft drink made from cow urine. MMM yummy, just what the doctor ordered.

The bovine brew is in the final stages of development by the Cow Protection Department of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), India's biggest and oldest Hindu nationalist group, according to the man who makes it.

Om Prakash, the head of the department, said the drink – called "gau jal", or "cow water" – in Sanskrit was undergoing laboratory tests and would be launched "very soon, maybe by the end of this year".

"Don't worry, it won't smell like urine and will be tasty too," he told The Times from his headquarters in Hardwar, one of four holy cities on the River Ganges. "Its USP will be that it's going to be very healthy. It won't be like carbonated drinks and would be devoid of any toxins."

The drink is the latest attempt by the RSS – which was founded in 1925 and now claims eight million members – to cleanse India of foreign influence and promote its ideology of Hindutva, or Hindu-ness.

Hindus revere cows and slaughtering them is illegal in most of India. Cow dung is traditionally used as a fuel and disinfectant in villages, while cow urine and dung are often consumed in rituals to "purify" those on the bottom rungs of the Hindu caste system.

In 2001, the RSS and its offshoots – which include the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party – began promoting cow urine as a cure for ailments ranging from liver disease to obesity and even cancer.

The movement has often been accused of using more violent methods, such as killing 67 Christians in the eastern state of Orissa last year, and assaulting women in a pub in Mangalore last month. It also has a history of targeting foreign business in India, as in 1994, when it organised a nationwide boycott of multinational consumer goods, including Pepsi and Coca Cola.

The cola brands are popular in India, now one of their biggest markets, but have struggled in recent years to shake off allegations, which they deny, that they contain dangerous levels of pesticide.

Mr Prakash said his drink, by contrast, was made mainly of cow urine, mixed with a few medicinal and ayurvedic herbs. He said it would be "cheap", but declined to give further details about its price or ingredients until it was officially launched.

He insisted, however, that it would be able to compete with the American cola brands, even with their enormous advertising budgets. "We're going to give them good competition as our drink is good for mankind," he said. "We may also think of exporting it."

Good luck with that. Wonder if it will take off???

Bill in Congress to allow US Citizens the right to travel to Cuba.

While most of the nation focused on the stimulus bill winding through Congress, nine representatives introduced a bill calling for an end to the 46-year-old ban on travel to Cuba according to the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act introduced in the US House of Representatives on Feb. 4 would allow American citizens unrestricted travel to Cuba for the first time since 1963. The bill by Rep. William Delahunt, D-Mass., and eight co-sponsors would also lift limits on travel by Cuban exiles living in the United States. The president would not be able to regulate travel to the island unless an armed conflict or armed danger arises. I believe that this is something that President Clinton wanted to do towards the end of his term, but it didn't happen.

The bill has gone too far, said Francisco "Pepe" Hernandez, president of the Cuban American National Foundation. Cuban exiles should visit their families whenever they want, but tourists shouldn't spend money in resorts that Cubans are barred from. "It's improper and should not be allowed until the Cuban government makes some reforms," he said.

That's not the case for Jose Lopez, president of the Broward County Click here for restaurant inspectioLatin Chamber of Commerce and a staunch supporter of the trade embargo.

"It's a betrayal and it's not going to resolve anything," said Lopez, who left Cuba in 1961.

Tourism dollars spent in Cuba will inject more oxygen into the dying Castro regime, he said. Lopez also thinks Cuban exiles who want to return to the island whenever they please are abusing their refugee privilege.

Many expect US President Obama to back a change in the policy. As a candidate for the presidency, Obama spoke in favor of reducing restrictions on remittances and travel to the island.

It is time for fair and Democratic elections in Cuba. Their citizens are repressed and certainly need change. It appears that Raul is making come changes but clearly not enough. Will an influx of US travelers fuel their regime with an influx of US dollars, or will the government fall and open the door for a free Cuba?

Co-sponsors to the bill include representatives Rosa Delauro, D-Conn. Sam Farr D-Calif., and US Presidential candidate Ron Paul, R- Texas.

President Obama and Marine One

Looks like President George W Bush is not the only one to have trouble making his way onto Marine One.

Previous Governor Rod R. Blagojevich

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has been impeached by the Illinois senate and is moving out of the Governors mansion as I write this. He is now the Previous Governor of Illinois.
Previous Governor Blagojevich addressed the Illinois senate this morning with a rather good speech, but it did not convince the senate. Lt Governor Pat Quinn is about to be sworn in.

Politicians certainly need to step it up a gear.

Former French President Chirac attacked.

Former French President Jacques Chirac has been taken to hospital because he was violently attacked by his clinically depressed Maltese dog... Te he he.

I am sure Saturday Night Live may have something to say about this.

We wish him a swift recovery.... Maybe he should get better security...

#44

He is now the 44th President of the Unites States of America, President Barack Obama. Change has come. Congratulations.

President George W Bush's final address to the nation.

This is a briefing of President Bush's final address to the nation this January 15th 2009. He still has 5.5 days to serve as President before President Elect Barack Obama takes the reigns.

The happy looking President said...

"
It has been an honor.

Best wishes to the President Elect and Obama family, thanks to Dick Cheney, Presidents family and the American people.

September 11th was talked about. He said that every day he had a security briefing to make sure it didn't happen over his watch. He mentioned the increase of Federal agencies also created and strengthened to make USA strong. USA has gone 7 years without another terrorist attack.

He thanked the Military and their families. His highest honor has been serving as their commander and chief.

Every taxpayer is paying lower tax.

Funding for Veterans has almost doubled.

Thanked his supreme court appointees.

Setbacks.... He would have done some things differently. He followed his conscience.

He made tough decisions. We may not have agreed with them.

Gravest threat is another terrorist attack.

We must resist complaitancy, must keep resolve and not let down our guard.

Must rejest isolationism.

If America does not lead the freedom the course will not live.

Good and evil present in the world. There must be no comprimise between the two.

Must speak out for justice and truth and piece.

In the toughest time we lift our eyes to the broud horizon ahead.

He brought some honored guests who he mentioned and spoke of.

We have faces danger and trial and there is more ahead.

USA will never tire falter or fail.

There has been good days and tough days.

Blessed to represent USA and honored to be a citizen of the USA. "

Finishes with a standing applause.

A very nice final speech. Wish the President the best in his retirement.

Kiwi's need to apply online before traveling to USA

It appears that as of today if you are using a NZ passport you will need to apply online for a "free" visitors visa to come to USA. This could cause some confusion for a while. Three things come to mind.

1. What happens if you have a similar name to someone on the watchlist? A la Cat Stevens.
2. What is the deal if you have a computer but no internet connection?
3. What happens if you get to the airport in NZ and you have not completed this form online, will you be bumped off your flight?

5 Presidents for lunch

Photo courtesy of whitehouse.gov

Putting his hand out in friendship and in a bi-partisan manner, current President #43 George W Bush invited #42 Bill Clinton, #41 George H W Bush, #39 James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr and soon to be #44 Barack Obama to the Whitehouse for a private lunch today.

This is the first time all living Presidents have been together in the Whitehouse since 1981 when a US delegation was preparing to attend the funeral of Egypt's Anwar Sadat.

The last White House event to draw the former presidents was a November 2000 celebration in honor of the White House's 200th anniversary. But one of the former presidents, # 40 Ronald Reagan, was unable to attend as he was unwell with Alzheimer's.

President Bush said; "I want to thank the president-elect for joining the ex-presidents for lunch, even though he's not quite a member of that club yet.

One message that I have and I think we all share is that we want you to succeed. Whether we're Democrat or Republican we care deeply about this country, All of us who have served in this office understand that the office itself transcends the individual."

He added: "We wish you all the very best, and so does the country."

A very nice message to President Elect Obama indeed. I think President Bush speaks for all of us.

Would have liked to be invited to that lunch... Pity I can never be President unless they change the law...

First post 2009

This is the first post for 2009. All the best to you crazy blogger's and blog readers out there.

Puntiki in snowy Tahoe California.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone...

A photo I like

My two favorite Prime Ministers. New Zealand PM John Key and Canadian PM Steven Harper.

Photo courtesy of the PM Harper's site.

Snow on Las Vegas strip

A rare site indeed... Snow in Vegas and it is not illegal. The Las Vegas Strip has had 3 inches of snow today, beating the record of 2 inches in 1967. A few airplanes can land at the local airport, but none can leave as there is no de-icing or snow equipment onsite. What a shame, being stuck in Las Vegas.


Photo from www.drudgereport.com

Simon Bridges MP maiden speech

This is a great speech from the recently elected National MP for Tauranga, Simon Bridges. Expect to see more of him in the up and coming years.

Political Buffoons?

You tell me??? If you can name the folks and their party affiliation and country I will be impressed.

ACDC concert Los Angeles

Brilliant... Seats were great, music was LOUD (still deaf)...

10 out of 10.

O J Simpson sentenced

O J goes to jail for at least 5 years for as long as 15 years.

Goodnight Kiwi

It's great to have the goodnight Kiwi back long after a long absence, but aren't Kiwi's nocturnal birds?

Tagged by Heine

I don't really do these things, but I was tagged by Clint Heine to blog 7 things that most people don't know about me, so here goes. The rules are:

1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules
3. Share seven random or weird facts about yourself
4. Tag 7 random people at the end of the post with their links
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. Puntiki is a made up name which was given to me by one very effective Auckland Councilor.
2. I can play the bag pipes ( sort of ), well not very well but I used to be able too.
3. The Rt Hon Jonathan Hunt once lost a bet to me for a bottle of wine and he paid up.
4. Rodney Hide once saved me from getting whacked by an angry rich lister. (Thanks Rodney)
5. I have been in Real Estate for 13 years and was previously a trained BMW parts technician.
6. I cant stand Jagermeister, Black Sambuca, gin or rum.
7. I am a member of the Cathedral Club. ( We need to meet more often )

I Tag.... Mike Stark, Aaron Bhatnagar, Andrew Sanderson, Cactus Kate, Blair Mulholland, Sage NZ and Trevor Loudon.

The future Cabinet?

At a secret location Friday November 14th 2008

Change of Government in NZ

Congratulations to PM elect John Key and the National Party of NZ for such a great result on Saturday 8th of November. Congratulations to Rodney Hide ACT Leader and re-elected MP for Epsom for getting 3.72% of the party vote and 5 MP's into government. It looks very likely that National / ACT and possibly The Maori Party and Peter Dunn will be involved in the next National led government. It is nice to have a change after 9 years of Labour. Helen Clark was a very strong PM and PM Elect Key has some big shoes to stand in. Helen Clark has stood down as Labour Leader and is expected to be replaced by Phil Goff.

Change in USA. Barack Obama President #44

Congratulations to President Elect Obama.

Today, he has been given a mandate from the people to lead us into a new history making era. As Sen McCain said in his honorable concession speech... We must get behind our new President #44 and give him our support, as I will.

I went out to the local after a nice dinner at friends place and there is a BUZZ in the air that I have never seen here before. The people I saw out were very happy about the outcome and it truly is time of change.

One America.....

Lewis Hamilton F1 World Champion 2008

It came down to the last corner. It looked like Massa was about to be World Champion thanks to some brilliant driving by Vettel in the Torro Roso overtaking Hamilton to put him in 6th and out of contention. When all of a sudden on the last corner Timo Glock of Toyota slowed to let Hamilton past and Hamilton won the championship but only just.
I do feel sorry for Massa.... He truly deserved it... Maybe next year.

A special message for you.

Update

Well it is all very exciting this week. The Brazilian F1 is being held tomorrow and either Lewis Hamilton of McLaren or Felipe Massa of Ferrari will be the world champion. It comes down to the wire as this will be the last race of the season and currently Lewis Hamilton is 7 points ahead of Massa. Massa is on pole with Hamilton positioned at #4 for the race. Massa will need to win or come 2nd with Hamilton making a serious mistake to tahe the championship but anything is possible.

The election in USA is tightening up. A lot of folks have voted early and there is 1-2 points in it which is within the margin or error. There is a realistic chance that the election could go to Democrat Barack Obama or Republican John McCain both Senators. This will be my first time voting in USA and I am looking forward to it. I hope that the result is clear cut and we dont need to have a Florida 2000 replay. Tuesday November 4th is the day.

In New Zealand it is looking fairly good for a National / ACT government after the November 8th election. John Key has publicly stated that he will work with ACT and there is a strong chance of ACT leader and MP for Epsom having a cabinet position after the election if National are in the position to govern. A party vote for ACT will enable National to get things done for the people of NZ in a way that is going to make a positive change. ACT is a reliable partner for National and they will work well together. I will be making the trip to NZ in time to watch the results. My mother is running for ACT in Rodney District and has been working very hard indeed. I am looking forward to hearing about the results with my folks and other party supporters on election night. Things are also looking good for National Candidate Simon Bridges in Tauranga, he will make an excellent MP. Winston may be looking for a job after the election.

SO get out and Vote......... The choice is yours.

Screw Labour

I got this from Blair Mulhollands blog..... thanks Blair...

Dear Mr Obama

National to have ACT in cabinet

withI was looking at David Farrar's blog and I noticed that he has a link to this interview with National Party leader John Key.

John Key says that after this election in New Zealand on November 8th that ACT Leader and MP for Epsom Rodney Hide would be in a National led cabinet.

This is only natural as ACT and National will be like competitive cousins when working together on the same team rather than a gang war as it could be under a new Labour led govt.

So bravo to John Key for his candid interview and Party VOTE ACT.

Question is: What Cabinet position will Rodney Hide get?

McCain climbing in the polls...

It seems that the polls are tightening very quickly before the US election on November 4th. The difference between Sen McCain and Obama is now within the margin of error. There is a lot of press out there about Obama enjoying the company of some undesirable characters and most people including "Joe the plumber" is concerned about Obama's true thoughts and intentions??? This election will go down to the wire. Will there be a Tom Bradley effect, will there be a last minute surge for McCain or Obama....This election has broken a few traditions so really anything that happens between now and November 4th could sway the vote.
Vote McCain.

A Dangerous Threesome

Greencard lottery time

It's Green Card lottery time

New Zealanders are eligible for the “Diversity Visa Lottery Program”.

Applications to win a Green Card to live and work in the US are open till 12 noon Eastern time on 1 Dec 2008.

More information at the State Department website which is: Here

If you have a previous drug charge, a DIC / DYI, or a conviction, don't bother applying. There is no payment necessary up front, you only pay to the US consulate if you win as a documentation fee (some people set up fake sites and charge you upon application and rip you off). If you win you will have the option to move to the USA upon being approved ( normally within 1 year of winning) and you will need to be in the USA for 6 months and 1 day of every year (for tax reasons). You will then be elegible to become a citizen after you have been in USA for 5 years (on US soil). This is a fantastic way of moving legally to USA. I encourage you to apply if you'd like the opportunity.

Cheers

Robert

Hydrogen filling station in West Los Angeles

I was getting my haircut at my usual place, which led to taking my car to be cleaned at the usual place and interestingly enough there is a hydrogen fueling pump just across the road on Santa Monica Blvd at the shell station. Upon close inspection it looked to be all hooked up, but alas there were no Hydrogen Bmw 7 series or Honda Hydrogen cars lining up. While the service station my have made the investment and at this time not getting a return, it is a great sign of things to come.

ACT

A message from ACT New Zealand for you to consider before voting in the upcoming election



For a change of government and a government of change: Party VOTE ACT

The Maori Party or ACT?

Who would you most like to see in parliament after the election on November 8th?

The Maori Party and Labour

or

The National Party and ACT?

DO you want another 3 years of PM Clark, or would you prefer a change of government and a government of change with National / ACT making a difference to make NZ a better place, increase NZ's stance in the world and get the flow of money going to the hardworking people of NZ and be TOUGH on crime?

Is New Zealand a better place now than it was in 1999 when Helen Clark and Labour came to power? Really is it?

Labour has a PC facsination which is taking NZ down the road of doom.

You give your disobedient child a clip and you can end up in jail.
It is likely that you know one or two or three or more folks who are tied up with the P epedemic.
The Police are weak and are too busy giving speeding and parking tickets than solving serious crime.
The cost of everything in NZ is obscene.
Wages are low if we compare to other 1st world countries.
Taxes are too high and the lazy are sucking NZ dry by getting handouts and not working.
NZ military is unfortunately the laughing stock of the South Pacific. There is not enough enlisted folk to properly run the frigates and equipment NZ has.
Labour stopped NZ's fighter wing and there is currently Oriens and Hurcules or AUSTRALIA to rely on if god forbid something terroristic or unusual happens. NZ has lowered her guard.

This has to be fixed. NZ is currently broken.

NZ has the ability to be a strong, wealty, well educated, proud and prosporus country. Will this have a chance of working under another 3 years of Labour / NZ First / Greens?

Do you like being where you are right now?

or

Do you want a better opportunity for yourself and NZ?

So if you feel that NZ is a truly better place since 1999 continue as you have done.

If you know that NZ can do a lot better, that the government can actually make you proud, be TOUGH on crime and put more money in your pocket, that the people and businesses of NZ have the ability to step it up a gear and become truly world class competing with the Australian, Canadian, US and European's, that the Police are to be relied upon to protect and serve, that that tax rates should be lower and that the education system needs to be modified then.

Party Vote in every electorate for ACT, also vote for the ACT candidate in Epsom (Rodney Hide) and Botany (Kenneth Wang) ( and Rodney District(my mother Beryl Good) :-) and Support your National Candidate with the Candidate vote in the rest of the country. The Party Vote for ACT will secure a Government of Change and a change of government.

F1 world championship 2008

We have two races left in the 2008 Formula One championship. Currently McLaren's Lewis Hamilton leads the points table with 84 points over Ferrari's Felipe Massa with 79 points. BMW's Robert Kubica on 72 is in the running but has qualified badly for todays Chinese Grand Prix, so he has a big race ahead of him to keep in contention for the title. Unfortunately my favorite driver Kimi Raikkonen and current World Champion is not in the running for a double title and will be working hard to keep Massa in front of Hamilton. Fernando Alonso who has twice been World Champion with Renault has mentioned that he'd prefer Massa or Kubica to win the title over his old team mate Hamilton, so Hamilton best preform today and watch out for tank slaps from other teams... . The last two races are going to be great.

First place gets 10 points
Second place gets 8 points
Third place gets 6 points
Fourth = 5 points
Fifth = 4 points
Sixth = 3 points
Seventh = 2 points
Eighth = 1 point
Hamilton needs 16 points to guarantee the Championship over the last two races provided that Massa and Kubica get points in the next 2 races which means he needs to get a first and third place to clinch it. He is on pole today in China followed by Kimi and then Massa. Lets see if he doesn't stuff it up again this year.

W the movie

I just got back from the opening night of W the movie by Oliver Stone. It was a somewhat comedic performance with many laughs throughout the show and surprising enough I believe that it shows George W Bush in sympathetic light.

Basically, it made Dick Cheney look like the devil, along with Donald Rumsfeld and the folks who convinced President Bush that there were WMD's in Iraq. It is not the best movie I have seen by far, but it made GWB look like a President who meant the best for Iraq and Americans and was badly advised and somewhat tricked by some of his advisors. Colin Powell, Karl Rove and GWB are the good guys in this movie. The lady who played Laura Bush is beautiful. Condoleeza Rice looked like a puppet although in real life I think she is a very effective Secretary of State. Watch it if you will, but I am not sure if you'll want it for your DVD collection, buy Forgetting Sarah Marshall instead.

Sarah Palin to be on SNL this weekend

News out there is that Alaskan Governor and Republican Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin is to be on Saturday Night Live this weekend. Hope that we can tell the difference between her and Tina Fey, this will be brilliant.

Gallup Poll: McCain up on 47% Obama on 49%

It has been leaked today that according to a new Gallup poll Sen McCain is on the up with 47% and Sen Obama is on 49% of likely voters. This puts the candidates in the margin of error which shows that it could well be a dead heat come election time on November 4th. If Obama wins Florida he could well be President, If McCain wins Florida he could well be President. This is going to be a close race and it shows that both candidates are in the running for the White House. There is still work to be done for both campaigns.... McCain and Obama are currently having dinner together at a roast in New York.... Sounds like fun.

Joe Biden's Dan Quayle moment

I like Joe Biden, but he has had a few Dan Quayle moments lately including this :-)



Very good.

McCain Obama final debate

I just finished watching the 3rd and final Presidential debate. It was by far the best of the 3. Sen McCain was in true form, he did tell Sen Obama that if he (Obama) was looking to run against George Bush then he should have run 4 years ago. Sen McCain made it clear that he was not President Bush and that the country needs a clear change of direction away from Bush policy. McCain also said that he is a federalist and thinks that abortion should be a subject that the individual Sates decide. He also showed true form and reassured me that he is the best candidate for President this election. Sen Obama was of course charismatic and likable, but I did find that once again he kept saying that he agreed with Sen McCain on a few subjects. He knodded often when McCain was talking policy and did laugh a few topics off with a big smile when called on.
Both candidates were presentable and I will stand by my statement that whoever is the next President will have my respect and WILL take USA in a new direction for the better, but my preference for President is Sen McCain.
Out of 1 - 10, 10 being the best in presentation and performance in todays debate, I rate.

Sen Barack Obama 5.7
Sen John Mccain 6.8

While it wasn't a direct knock out, John McCain won this debate. Roll on the election.

Simon Bridges 20 points ahead in Tauranga?

I am pleased to hear that the National Party Candidate for Tauranga Simon Bridges is rumored to have a 20 point lead over NZ First leader Winston Peters. If this is accurate and true then I am very comfortable in saying that Simon Bridges will be the best Member of Parliament Tauranga has ever had. So If you are in Tauranga give Simon Bridges your candidate vote and give ACT your party vote for a change of government and a government of change.

Canadian Election. Stephen Harper is still PM

OTTAWA — Stephen Harper’s Conservatives won a muscular minority mandate Tuesday night as Canadian voters entrusted the prime minister with the levers of government in tough economic times — but not a blank cheque. Congratulations to the Conservatives, Stephen Harper and the citizens of Canada.....

The outcome saw the Liberals sink to they’re lowest level of popular support since the election of 1867 — and surely means a third change of leadership in five years for what was long dubbed Canada’s natural governing party. Unfortunately the Liberal leader Dion was not as effective as he had hoped. His English was terrible and he had trouble understanding questions given to him by the English speaking media. As I mentioned in a previous posting, I am expecting Mr Dion to be looking for a new occupation very shortly.

Justin Trudeau who is the son of deceased Canadian PM Pierre Trudeau won his seat in this election. He is up and coming, so expect him to endeavor to be the Canadian PM one day.

The Conservatives were headed for 143 seats, up from 124 in the last election, while the Liberals were down to 77 from 103. The NDP was up by nine seats to 38 and the Bloc Quebecois shed two seats to 48. Two Independents also won.

I would have preferred a majority for the Conservatives and Stephen Harper, but the people of Canada have given them more seats and they are just shy of a majority. There is work to be done, but all in all a great result.