Tuesday, January 20, 2009
#44
He is now the 44th President of the Unites States of America, President Barack Obama. Change has come. Congratulations.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
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?
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?
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
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...
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...
Thursday, January 01, 2009
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.
Puntiki in snowy Tahoe California.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
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.
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
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.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Political Buffoons?
You tell me??? If you can name the folks and their party affiliation and country I will be impressed.
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Friday, December 05, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Goodnight Kiwi
It's great to have the goodnight Kiwi back long after a long absence, but aren't Kiwi's nocturnal birds?
Monday, November 24, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Sunday, November 09, 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.Tuesday, November 04, 2008
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.....
Sunday, November 02, 2008
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.
I do feel sorry for Massa.... He truly deserved it... Maybe next year.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
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.
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.
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