Remembering 9/11

It was a scene that I will never forget, it is etched in my mind with the clarity of 5 minutes ago.

The sight of those planes flying into buildings that I had marvelled at since I was an 8 year old kid was a shock initially, then I couldn't stop crying for those poor souls trapped in the aftermath.

The feeling that I and most individuals had when they realised that this was actually real, it wasn't a movie and it was history unfolding before our very eyes, was one of disbelief.

Let us remember those who perished 7 years ago today in The World Trade Centre, the Pentagon and the innocent victims on the planes that were flown into those targets.

Most will be fondly remembered and missed dearly by those family members left behind and my thoughts are with you and with those that you lost.

Let us always remember the heroes and never ever forget the reason why so many died on that day.

Above all let us not live in fear of those that would try and do the same again.

Let us also remember those brave souls who have fought and died since that horrible day defending our freedoms.  

May the victims of the 9/11 mass-murder rest in peace.

c Political Animal 2008

POLITICAL ANIMAL SCOOP: Election day date announced

In the first scoop for The Political Animal Blog, I can officially announce the date of New Zealand's 2008 Election.

The Labour Party Blog The Standard has just leaked the election day date, inadvertently one would think because Helen Clark, the Prime Minister, usually keeps a tight reign on these sorts of things.

Have a gander, sign up, use the resources at the Campaign Hub, or just get into it. It’s only 58 days until the election, make it count.

If my maths is correct that makes election day November 8.

A great distraction from the Owen Glenn donation political scandal that is currently facing Clark and Labour.

And "Steve Pierson" says the Blog is not Labours.

Yeah right!!

c Political Animal 2008

Helen Clark esablishes a new low for politics

Only in banana republics and dictatorships in places like Africa, the Pacific Islands and South America do immoral, illegal and corrupt politics exist.

New Zealand was added to that ignominious list when the Electoral Finance Act was introduced on Jan 1 2008 but now with the Peters/Glenn/Clark donation scandal the banana bends just that much further.

We have a leader, Helen Clark, who supports a Minister, Winston Peters, who holds the Foreign Affairs Portfolio, that is being investigated for fraud by the Police and Serious Fraud Office and is also under investigation by the Privileges Committee for not disclosing a $100,000 donation made to him by Owen Glenn.

Furthermore, Peters has been caught out lying over each count made against him under ministerial oath to Parliament, The Privileges Committee, Helen Clark and ultimately every New Zealander.

Then we have a Prime Minister, caught out lying about her involvement in the Glenn donation scandal.

What does the Prime Minister do to the offending Minister?

He isn't sacked, continues to receive the baubles of office: Limos, office staff, salary and expenses.

Why?

Because Helen Clark wants to stay in office for as long as she can, pass fraudulent laws like the Emissions Tax Act and protect an allie for a possible partnership after the next election.

You see Peters is able to use all these accoutrement's to help him retain a place in Parliament.

Aunt Helen is also petrified over some of the secrets he might spill over the Owen Glenn donation saga; what her and the Labour Party President, Mike William's real involvement was.

Because they are not giving the full picture.

It is clear from all this that even though your party might be facing a donation scandal, you and or your minister is donkey deep in it all and there have been lies told to cover up the whole scandal, because it is politically expedient to do so, Clark will do nothing.

As usual, nobody is taking responsibility, nobody is paying a price for despicable and illegal behaviour and all for the sake of our Prime Minister's lust for power.

We all deserve honesty from our leader and her parliamentary allies but we are not getting it.

The banana bends even further in New Zealand but at least the established banana republics that I referred to above have a way of removing corrupt governments.

Is time for a riot?

At the very least it is time for an election. 

c Political Animal 2008

Labour's failed social experiment, South Auckland, erupts: Again

The Labour Government social welfare experiment that is South Auckland has claimed another victim.

This time an innocent cop, shot dead, not just shot but chased and then murdered.

It begs the question why they had to run in the first place, they clearly were not armed but should have been.

Police at the scene in Mangere, Auckland, this morning. Photo / NZPA

• Police killed on duty

A plainclothes police officer was disturbed during an operation early this morning, chased in a car and then shot dead. The officer's colleague was also shot and is in hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The two officers were attempting…More