Postscript (Defining Issues of our Times): So What's Up, Folk? No, I mean, really?

That's about all I can 'say', peoples, having just now (over half an hour ago) - a week on - re-connected with my main (i.e. this) blogsite. After clicking onto 'Comments', and then the subsection, 'Comments - Awaiting Moderation', guess what appeared - to my 'nonplussed expectation' (if you get my contradiction-in-terms)?

Yep, ya guessed it (if, doubtless, not the precise words therein): There are no pending comments.

That about says it all, doesn't it? Indeed!

Nuff said!

Be[ing] [Quite] Sure, Your [my] Sins Will Find You [me] Out: Vis-a-vis well-known Christian singer-songwriter Cliff Richards...At long last the chickens are all well and truly coming home to roost: for his foes and enemies, that is...

Having written profusely about this many months (or moons) ago now, I intend only to make a few - to me - pertinent comments thereupon.

First, through simply inexplicable and extraordinary personal circumstances of recent months, there's a big part of (little) me that can actually completely relate to Mr (or is it these days, Sir?) Richards' predicament - conceding however that my own respective 'matter' is as a gnat to his camel, a molehill to his mountain. And hence there's various 'stuff' that I've since 'accumulated' (chiefly through media and reading) that strongly 'relates' and which, given the time, I'll someday - hopefully sooner than later - share (with y'all).

Two, and three, I believe both the BBC and the British Police (Scotland Yard) have used CR - and various, high-profile 'others' - to indulge in a great big face-saving exercise, something that says a heckuva lot more about them than it does or ever could about Cliff Richards. More later upon this too.

Fourth, that these days - especially if you're a 'fundamentalist', Bible-believing Christian, you're '*easy pickings - and are pretty well 'guilty till proven innocent'. But since 'where there's (even just a teeny-weeny bit of) smoke (in the air), there's (inevitably a great big) fire' ragin' underneath...well, you go figure...and no, it ain't a pretty picture, folks, but yes, it's entirely predictable, that's for sure...

*My original title for this piece, incidentally.

...Though that's not denying - for even one instant - the very large 'grain of truth' in JFK's famous declaration: "Better Dead than Red"; I'd simply qualify that in this way: it's ultimately far, far better to die - if such is required - than to compromise upon eternal values (of right and wrong)...Yes, every single time!

Addendum (to my Independence Day, 2018, blogpost): to (attempt to) cover for my extreme tardiness and negligence in following this up as and when promised

Due to serious time considerations tonight, may I briefly say here: it is possible, indeed extremely so, to simultaneously consider a certain major world figure presently lumbering across the international landscape (like the animal/'beast of burden' his political party has ever been closely associated with) as among the most, nay, the most (technically and emotionally) unintelligent and incompetent to lead his particular nation - let alone any even minor nation elsewhere across the globe - in its or world history...

whilst declaring/asserting/supporting the obvious superiority of diplomacy over nuclear confrontation...the right of sovereign nations worldwide to protect and defend their legal borders...and the sanctity of the (world-renowned) American Constitution, to wit, its careful delineation of the 'separate powers' of executive, legislature and judiciary, and thus the right of any and every President to appoint people of his (or her) own, considered choosing to the U S Supreme Court.

Hey, folks, I dunno about you, but far as I'm concerned, it's far preferable to deal with certain global thugs and criminals in a half-decent, respectful fashion and maintain the life of the human species than, on the other hand, to have a person, however eminently qualified by lifetime experience and generally admirable personal attributes who's effectively a hawk on all matters of foreign policy and collectively be - as homo sapiens - six feet (and all the rest) way under...el permanente!  

The Defining Issue/s of Our Day: Part Three: Reviewing All the Options/Possibilities, Adding Thereto, then Beginning an up-close Investigation/Consideration

As per usual I've since realized I've well and truly bitten off way more than I can possibly chew, regurgitate, let alone spit out this time...but having begun said process, let me now continue on - however tentatively, or rather, initially...

And yes, I am still awaiting your feedback - especially those of you who regularly read my posts: again, all you need to do is go to the bottom of each blogpost and click upon that little tab 'Post a Comment'. 

So how about it, folks, if you do indeed really care about this blogsite? It's not like I'm asking some kind of financial contribution, after all, though that'd be perfectly legitimate if I did do so.

In fact, from my need for an early shuteye tonight following a far too late one last night...I'm gonna temporarily suspend proceedings...in mid-stream (as I occasionally do), awaiting with eager, patient anticipation what I consider my rightful due - having provided this free service for such a long time (I believe a good six years all up, pretty well (last or next month)) - that 'rightful due' being the very least I should surely be able to expect...i.e. your own carefully-considered, thoughtful response/s and interaction - if for no other reason than simply to re-assure me that I'm not simply 'whistlin' dixie', so to speak, into thin air, or rather the cybersphere...

So please - pretty please - respond...and sooner rather than later, y'hear...

To Be Continued...pending sufficient (on-line) viewer response

Important Postscript: Having earlier reviewed those 24 'defining issues of our day', I'm aware of a number of things. Firstly, they're way from comprehensive, though at the same time I'd wager they're a pretty good start. Secondly, I'd possibly re-define and/or clarify a number of them - given heaps more time - as well as add such additional two categories as *Extinction of Species (Flora & Fauna) Worldwide, especially  the bees; and *Tampering with our DNA: Cloning - Genetic Modification/ Engineering - Mind Control.

Modifying and adjusting some of the original 24, I might naturally merge/morph a few of them (where sensible to do so), and/or split a couple into multiple sub-categories where necessary. It's no doubt also salutary here to point out that over the past six years I've already dealt - in depth - with a number of said categories, in particular (#3:) terrorism, (#6:) 'when in Rome', (#7:) Pushback against the Establishment/s...aka Brexit & Trump; alongside a little vis-a-vis (#11:) GLBT 'rights', as with (#13:) Political Correctness, and (#16:) The Intolerance of the Super-tolerant. Plus perhaps I've touched just once in a while upon some of the other 18, but not substantially far as I'm aware, anyhow... 

One Punter's View of What Constitute the Defining Issues Of Our Times: Up to two dozen 'Major Deals' - upon which Western Civilization, and with it our Present-day World overall, will arguably stand or fall

Somewhat sooner than usual, I'm returning to yesterday's topic/query: i.e. what actually constitute the real 'defining issue/s' of our time - when all the palava and political posturing and grandstanding are over? Of course, as I suggested, that's entirely something 'in the eyes' of the particular beholder. So, since my view/s are as valid, presumably, as the next fellow's or gal's...here's what a little/lot of brainstorming overnight/today has turned up...

Comprising 'stuff'/matters from some well-known and regularly canvassed issues of a highly concrete nature and 'definability' through rhetorical questions of a fairly contentious character and over onto some philosophically-oriented dichotomies pertaining to fundamental, diametrically-polar opposite world views, I believe I've cottoned onto at least a few of the more momentous and critical issues of our day.

But hey, perhaps I'm way off base - in your own esteemed view - and even 'off my rocker', and so, I look forward to some feedback - for a change! - by your taking the time and effort to 'push' (and thus activate) that little 'Comments' 'button'/feature (at the bottom of each and every blogpost, last I recall).

In quite-extremely general terms - for today's purposes (and so's I maintain my daily shuteye regime as best I can) - these are (apart from the first two/three items) not in hierarchical order, though I've nevertheless tended to juxtapose 'like with like' and similar-ish categories in succession:

*The nuclear question

*Climate Change/Global Warming

*Modern-day Terrorism

*Migration/Refugees/National Borders

*Multiculturalism in the West

*The Entitlement Syndrome: When in Rome, Do Whatever takes Your Fancy

*Pushback Against Elites aka British Brexit and The USA's Donald J Trump

*Black Lives Matter: Pushback (in America) Against Systemic Injustice

*The Me Too Movement: Backlash Against High-Profile Abuse(rs)

*Modern-day Western Feminism

*GLBT 'Rights'

*Identity Politics

*Political Correctness

*Virtue Signalling

*Watch(ing) Your Ps & Qs: Making a man an offender for a word

*Ideological Double-Standards: The Intolerance of the Super-Tolerant

*1984 Revisited: All Views/Religions are Equal, But Some are more Equal/Acceptable than Others

*It's Only 'democracy' if I get my way, or it's my way or the highway

*Your News is Fake News, Mine is the Real Quid

*Redefining Reality ('Evil is Good, and Good is Evil' - if I say so, understood?): Whoever has Control of the Mainstream Media, Rules - Okay?

*Euthanasia, Abortion, Capital Punishment & War: How Sacred is Life Really?

*Technology Run Riot: How Humanity Is Being Taken Over By Machines

*The Triumph of Science and Technology Over Faith & Spirituality

*'Health and Safety' Gone Berserk: Legislating for Every Conceivable Contingency

Tomorrow (in Part Three) I'll be much more 'elucidatory' and explain in much greater detail precisely what these 'defining issues' are...i.e. how I broadly see them (and their various essential component parts). At least I'll start along said process, and also - separately - survey 'Primary Exhibit #1' (a high-profile celebrity for whom I have immense sympathy/empathy...and whom the U.K. Media's 'shining jewel' and its Law Enforcement Agencies Have Treated Shamefully over recent years).

So What Would You Say Really Constitutes the oft-cited 'Defining Issue of Our Times'?

Naturally enough there are innumerable answers and responses possible to such a question...pretty much as many as the number of individuals queried, I'd imagine...however many people that might include. My own 'excuse' for now raising such a query is manyfold: firstly, and primarily, I've just finished listening in to a BBC-hosted 'Heart and Soul' discussion introduced in such terms, on RNZ National's regular Sunday afternoon 'Spiritual outlook' radio show; secondly, my own bad conscience at having metaphorically 'taken forever' in getting back to a long-promised (and hopefully much-anticipated) rundown of a number of just such matters (in an uncharacteristically short blogpost timed to coincide with America's annual Independence Day commemorations).

So what are my own conclusions thereupon, and moreover how do these compare (and contrast) with others' own thoughts? Who the heck would know, or even care?- no, really. Still, that's never stopped folk like myself expostulating to one and all, like el usual all-knowing talkback radio hosts (and other self-opinionated pundits, commentators and prognosticators, whether so-called 'experts' or just ye average Joe or Jane Bloggs in the street or on the web). Has it... .

Yet once again, I'm gonna leave y'all - temporarily - in suspense...while you yourselves reflect upon the same, mentally chewing and mulling the matter over along your own well-worn mental pathways...

See ya soon!

Despite Constant (Morning Report) Media Attempts to Bait/Trip him up, the Acting Prime Minister Continues to Acquit himself Admirably

Yes, four weeks into and two-thirds of the way through his six-week stand-in for Jacinda Ardern, the Deputy P.M., the Right Honourable Winston Peters, seems to be managing his spell at the top with notable aplomb. Avoiding 'scaring the horses' as some would put it, while maintaining the requisite degree of gravitas, conscious dignity and self-possession such a position necessarily demands. "Good one, Winnie!" as my Stepmum might've put it in days gone by - when she and my Dad were fast followers of the one-time 'Member for Hunua'.

Refusing to opportunistically 'dis' and discredit, much less criticize and condemn and publicly bully, New Zealand's longsuffering nursing work force either before or after their recent, extremely rare - though reasonably publicly-supported - strike action, Peters nevertheless made the reasonable enough point that there's ultimately only so much money in the governmental kitty - for all the various 'comers'; other employee 'collectives' meanwhile desiring and seeking their own share of the perceived governmental largesse and so themselves also already publicly chafing at the bit.

Though myself a lifelong pacifist, and bearing in mind RNZ National Panelist, the comedian and talkback host Gary McCormack's remarking the other day upon the sheer lunacy of anyone in God's Own seriously believing that our Government's planned purchasing of a few major ships for our navy, however many millions involved, could possibly deter any major potential aggressor such as China, much less send shivers down their spine or scare them ....-less, if they ever did decide to attack/invade our little South Pacific idyll, I'll say this much for Winston and Co: though shunting a few billion dollars in that sort of direction is undoubtedly a terrific waste of Governmental monies at any time, it's nevertheless quite understandable in one major respect.

That is, until and unless Aotearoa-New Zealand adopts either a purely pacifist approach to its defence - or, preferably (or rather, at least much more realistically 'in the real world' wherein we all presently live) a Swiss-style of 'positive' self-defence (predicated entirely upon self-defence, that is, than ever engaging in any other types of wars), we ought to surely either (thus) quit the semblance of mere pretence or 'adequately' fund and resource our nation's defence capabilities.

And anyhow - as already alluded to - there are other forthcoming desires and demands from seemingly every last man and woman and their dog, cat and guinea-pig for their own respective shares in taxpayer monies and desire to 'share the booty' and reap the dividend of their own long wait for adequate recompense thereabout. Noting, as P.M. Peters himself well put matters, people only line up at a bus-stop when they know a bus is due; but on the other hand, a bus can't possibly - at its first 'pickup', anyhow - take more than it's fitted out to carry at that time.

Otherwise, whether it's going in to bat upon an individual kiwi's behalf before the intransigent Aussie authorities (presently giving the el usual runaround to New Zealanders' rights to fair and reasonable treatment by said authorities), cautiously refraining from putting his foot in his mouth and needlessly slagging off foreign leaders whom we might need at a later date, or standing up to the Chinese Dragon - whom veteran activist and digital privacy campaigner (upon the extreme left-wing weekday American broadcaster Democracy Now) Glenn Greenwald even believes may be behind some of the intelligence espionage currently being universally sheeted home to the Russian authorities alone - I'd say Mr Peters has things pretty well spot on (in his assessments thereabouts and determinations thereupon). Far as any individual politician does these days.

I reckon on a scorecard a 7.5-8 out of 10 is thus due Prime Minister Peters et al, the only real docking of points being his and fellow NZ First Minister Tracey Martin's refusal to reconsider the ill-advised and problematic decision to - effectively - close down (by withholding needing funding) the Stand Children's Service Roxburgh Children's Village. At least pending any suitable replacement and the proper roll-out of the proposed new model of caring for kids in their own homes instead - however legitimate that new 'trajectory' for PTSD children may well ultimately prove to be.

Whatever his innumerable faults, failings, foibles... exasperating idiosyncrasies, iconoclasms and outright idiocies...and unmentionable sins and outrages and even criminalities...

...yet one has to give it to 'the Donald' (that is, the 45th, I believe, leader of the 'Free World', i.e. President Donald J Trump): he certainly has a way with words. And never pulls his punches.

So I simply couldn't resist cracking up, couldn't contain myself earlier today - and especially around an hour ago - as I listened in to RNZ National (Radio's) weekday 'World Watch' programme.

Capping a week which (at least one member of) the UK newsprint media has headlined 'Mayhem'...it was a sheer 'beauty to behold' DJT unable to resist putting his not inconsiderable boot (figuratively-speaking, you understand) into his host, British Prime Minister T(h)eresa May, effectively damning her with faint praise, thereby revealing his poorly-kept secret of preferring Boris Brexit Johnson. A piece of inimitable political theatre worthy of a genius playwright, I'm sure...

Addendum: Overnight Afterthoughts & Necessary Explication

Having said all of that, I happen to like T(h)eresa May as a political personage, however 'ineffective' her (and her Government's) Brexit policies are presently progressing - or aren't (depending on one's perspective: whether that of a '*hard brexiter or an implacable 'remainer'.) And though I happen to agree with the current American President as to his initial arrival comments vis-a-vis the United Kingdom's Brexit negotiations et al - and moreover, regarding the 'usefulness' of Boris Johnson's stepping up to the plate of the prime ministership, and his undoubted qualifications thereabouts - his incredibly **ill-judged, ill-timed, unwanted and uncalled-for intervention in Johnson's behalf will doubtless thereby prove to be the very deathknell, the nail in the coffin, of Boris' chances therein.

No, 'the Donald', ***blundering his buffoon-laden way about the scene - as unprecedented protests utilize a blimp-sized balloon to 'get through' to him, el typical blunderbuss schoolyard bully as he is, in the only way such folk ever understand, i.e. unbridled, humiliating as ridicule and mockery - has single-handedly put paid to - blown out of the water (into the political stratosphere and well beyond) for good and for time and memorial - any (admittedly fast-disappearing) lingering hopes Mr Johnson might have happened to still be clinging to (vis-a-vis one day acceding to the United Kingdom's most senior formal leadership position).

For once - or at least in a very long time (possibly a decade-and-a-half) - much-disgraced and regularly-maligned and ridiculed former P. M. Tony Blair must be licking his chops vis-a-vis Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party's unenviable dilemma (concerning Brexit in particular). For 'with friends like these' - i.e. a certain 'leader of the free world' currently visiting the country - quite frankly 'who needs enemies?' Who indeed! 

No, Mr Blair, as a strident and highly vocal and unreconstructed supporter of the 'bremain' campaign (both before and after the June 23rd referendum - back in 2016, I believe), hardly surprising in that he was often touted as a future leader of the European Parliament (and consequently also possible one day head of the rapidly-approaching, ****long forecast United States of Europe - though I'd pick the (understandably popular and deeply-respected - but N.B.: first Jesuit pope ever) Pope Frances instead), comes to mind at this time for an odd-sounding reason, I'm sure you'll agree. But let me explain...

I simply believe, if his unspoken thoughts were revealed (for one and all to see/read our loud) - in the fashion that rapidly-progressing AI would make us think is soon to be possible - they would for once be reflective and representative of his fellow countrymen and women-at-large, and would read pretty much...

"Come back, (President) George (W): all is forgiven. Yes, we all greatly mis-underestimated you!"

Meanwhile This Comedy of Errors and Unprogrammable Entertainment Enters Another Day

Having already 'stuffed up' big-time, and arguably way beyond the reasonable limits of repair or amends, much less rationalization, justification or the pleading of extenuating circumstances... President *****Donald J Trump began today ******attempting the impossible - and concluded by effectively giving the metaphorical fingers to Great Britain's longstanding Monarch (in a three-way dis-salute (as it were)).

Though the British Prime Minister has herself come out of proceedings not looking altogether untarnished either, the general sentiment (concerning Trump's initial *******'slamdunk' slapdown of  May after disembarking at Heathrow Airport) across the UK apparently being, whilst many, perhaps even most, simply felt extremely sorry for her (shameful mistreatment by him), others understandably felt that she ought to have shown some backbone and stood up to him, as arguably any leader worth their salt surely would have.

Moreover, though Johnson's at times ascendant political star has doubtless now been hobbled for good, it's equally hard to see how May's fellow Conservatives won't - on the other hand - see her seemingly grovelling before President Trump as unforgivable and cringeworthy weakness...and consequently seek to be rid of them both (i.e. May and Johnson) lickety-split...

*And yes, I'd doubtless fall into this category if a British citizen.

**That is, assuming Trump ever has a reflective moment to begin with...- obviously a highly contentious idea in itself...

***Even tonight (NZ-time) engaging in three notable 'faux pas' towards her Royal Highness herself!

****See especially 'the Apocalypse' (of John the Revelator), also known as 'the Book of Revelation', the final book in the 66- (or ********70-) book Holy Bible. In particular Rev. 17: 1-18.

*****Long since having given his equally famous namesake, the inimitable Donald Duck himself, an entirely new lease on life...making DD look an epitome of class and taste in comparison and contrast!

******And for once the understandably extremely tired-looking P.M. May looked, while listening to and responding in countenance to Trump's latest verbal theatrics, not only as if she could see right through him, but even as if she no longer regards him as remotely credible...as hard as she sought - for purely inter-geo-political reasons, surely - to continue to just 'look the other way'; rather than treat him as the imbecile that she (alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and pretty well every other last international head-of-state - barring North Korea's Kim Jong Un and Russia's Vladimir Putin - and countless multitudes around the world, whether 'lefties', conservatives, 'right-wingers', liberals, 'religious' or irreligious, and/or the politically uninitiated and uninterested) doubtless regards him as...

*******Entirely my own carefully-chosen terminology.

********Depending on whether one includes the 150-odd 'Psalms' as one book or five.

Butt Out, Aunty Helen: In Case you hadn't noticed, your Empress-ship of God's Own has long since Elapsed...

In response to the recently-running feud between long-serving former Prime Minister Helen Clark and the self-educated innovator extraordinaire Ray, or rather Sir, Ray Avery, in the memorable, inimitable *words of actor Clark Gable to the character Scarlett O'Hara in the interminable Gone with the Wind: "(quite) frankly, dear(ies), I don't give a damn." But that's hardly the point.

This morning (and Saturday, since Newshub Nation regularly is shown both days) New Zealanders were greeted to and with a rare spectacle indeed: for one thing, if of passing note only, the normally inquisitorial Lisa Owen becoming unusually relaxed (and even positively **beaming) as the interview went on; for another, and much more importantly, we saw a new version of the old truism of how 'power' and then 'absolute power' can ****'corrupt' one; in this case, despite the loss thereof, in other words the feeling that one has such status pretty well for a lifetime...and thus feels able to 'throw one's weight around' for the rest of one's days.

Suffice to say that Sir Ray Avery - while meticulously careful not to slag Helen Clark off in any way or fashion, and neither abusing her personally much less criticizing her considerable legacy in any way - nevertheless revealed just that (aforementioned point): i.e. that Ms Clark felt she had the perfect (as in God-given) right (as it were) to up the ante by going public (and semi-ballistic) - in Avery's own words, 'go[ing] to the top of the parapet'. Choosing that manner of response as opposed to simply making a regular written submission like everyone else - that is, privately like any other citizen, without any public fanfare or palava, much less evident sense of personal entitlement (sort of as the 'elder stateswoman of NZ Inc', or Ex-Senior Public Citizen #1).

No, that isn't - arguably wasn't ever - Helen Clark's personal style. No way, Jose. Indeed I am involuntarily reminded of an old pal...with whom a parting of the ways has long since occurred...who, like me a political junkie (and worse), once told me how he - long a big fan of Ms Clark, that much was patently obvious, loath as he was to admit as much ever since her deposing from power - reacted with near incredulity to an item that once appeared on the front page of the ODT (he always called the Odious Daily Slime). Although sadly my memory's a little challenged on this front now, Clark'd essentially given herself such tremendous airs and graces that her self-conceit and arrogance and pride evidently knew neither normal bound nor reasonable limit.

While everything about Sir Ray simply oozed endless integrity and sincerity and decency, and, yes, humility...when any of the aforementioned (traits ascribed to Ms Clark) would've been 'fair enough' for him to entertain - except that the truly great have no need, much less care for such shameless self-promotion. No indeed.

Before signing off, and after essentially affirming - in response to host Lisa Owen - that if a particular project doesn't have a social conscience, yes, it *****doesn't tick his boxes (and therefore doesn't excite him to get involved and throw his considerable support behind it) - whereas ones 'that support the sick, and the halt, and the lame' do - Avery declared:

The only way I can [now, ******post-his, was it twelve years all up, of childhood 'brutalization'?]  justify my [spared] life/existence is to make an animal that is fearless...and to do something extraordinary.

Sir Ray, take a well-earned bow, you've proven your own quality...especially on this public occasion. You've not only shown true resilience, you've proven the possibility of redeeming a past that had every likelihood of going the way so many others in such a situation invariably have...and moreover, could only have been expected to end up. But moreover for doing so with due panache and grace.

*In my paraphrased version, thereof, anyway!

**Avery even had Owen - oftentimes, as the riveting interview progressed, and while achieving the rare distinction of beating her at her own 'art' of rapid-fire, arguably spitfire-style  'hold no prisoners' speech - breaking out in unconscious, unrestrainable joy and ***smiles.

***Something Yours Truly should admittedly be cautious about emphasizing, seeing as I was mercilessly ribbed as a kid by family for not smiling (sufficiently, or at all) for our never-ending family photo pics; and even once - in my final (or penultimate) year at high school - similarly by a popular English teacher... or rather he embarrassed me in front of the entire class because I did so for the very first time apparently!

****No, not technically, but certainly in spirit.

*****Again, entirely my own words.

******As he discussed with Lisa Owen earlier in the interview, of his life growing up as an orphan/in an orphanage in (the then) Great Britain.

Once to Every Man and Nation...Comes the Moment to Decide: As Independence Day Rolls Around Once Again, America - just like the post-Brexit United Kingdom - Stands at a Decisive Crossroads in its temporal and eternal Destiny: Everything Depends Upon the Outcome.

Part One: General introductory comments

Yes, *after sufficient shut-eye...I'll reveal all...pertaining to: President D J Trump (vis-a-vis North Korea, border refugees/illegal immigrants, the U S Supreme Court et al); the response of many Americans (to him and his presidency, aka mass protests and related activities of recent weeks); and one/two rather significant Supreme Court (would-be) decisions/judgments of late/the near future.

And as I intimated in no uncertain terms just a few short weeks ago, 'the Left' does not have all the best music, or in more understandable parlance, they are not necessarily the paragons of unassailable virtue the media (acolytes and influencers of) oftentimes paint them. No, not by a country mile... .

But that the United States of America is thus approaching a very real crisis, and arguably the greatest of its relatively brief existence, is without doubt, and rapidly hastening like a meteorite towards them. No kidding whatsoever - and make no mistake about it... .

Yes, our contemporary world is rapidly hurtling headlong toward, and into, the long-foretold 'crisis of the ages', about which 'the good book' has more to say than about almost anything else... .

And, sadly for the great, the vast majority, both there and globally, it'll take 'em totally by surprise... and moreover, completely unprepared...

*In days to come; sorry, folks, this'll be a few days later than first intended, but trust me, worth the wait.

Yes, Mr Peters is showing his quality as (Acting) Prime Minister...

Whether it's in his general statesmanlike approach to the media scrum - however much derided or held in contempt by some members of this exclusive fraternity (especially its broadcasting arm, and -surprise, surprise - TV3 in particular, apparently).

Whether it's in his simple unwillingness to 'pull finger' and resort to typical Muldoonesque-style bullying tactics of spitting the dummy by railing against imminent strikes by nurses (especially) and inciting popular antipathy towards them, on the contrary insisting that they do indeed have some legitimate grievances, which moreover were completely ignored by the last crowd (of politicians).

Or whether it's in his refreshing preparedness to stand up to the Aussies, or more accurately their current Government, which, following in the train of previous ones admittedly, caved in to populist dogma and prejudices against migrants and refugees one and all; at least defending a kiwi youth thereabouts.

Keep it up, Winston...we're right behind ya!

Yes, Let the Self-Obsessed, Self-Opinionated Media Elites...Just Occasionally give a little credit - Where(ver) Credit is Surely Due

Remaining - for just a millisecond, or several, longer - upon matters NZ Inc and political, how refreshing to see NZ First keeping a manifesto commitment (and/or implicit past election promise/undertaking), to wit the '3 Strikes and You're Out' legislation (passed early on during the last National Government's three-term tenure in office). Yes, good on ya's, folk, for standing up - if, like Custer, at the proverbial last minute - and being counted on the need and (deep, heartfelt) desire of ordinary, everyday (read: non-elitist) kiwis to retain said (Act NZ-sponsored) serious offenders' and offences' law indefinitely, at least for the forseeable... . Yes, you've shown your quality, sirs and ladies.

Admittedly, I've learnt over recent weeks how it was initially, originally, Winston's own pet project/proposal way back in the 1990s - though I've intuitively known such law has ever been part and parcel of NZ First's 'get tough' approach on crime (conforming so closely to their basic, long-term philosophy and principles). Granted, they were outside Parliament at the decisive time said law was put on the order paper and progressed through all its parliamentary stages at the outset of the Key Government, but let's just say it was passed into law with the moral (if not actual parliamentary) support of NZ First, being so much part and parcel of their basic approach to law and order as to be indistinguishable from much of their basic policy.

And of course, NZ First writhes in its sleep, no doubt, at any legislation progressed by its political arch-rivals, Act NZ, Winston Peters holding an inveterate antipathy to the party's essentially pro-neo liberal, Rogernomics' and Ruthanasian ideology - but at least he's been consistent therein for the past thirty some years, unlike some of his past Labour Party contemporaries. So all credit to him and his colleagues for - belatedly, if eventually - coming out publicly and declaring they were unable to support such a rollback of popular, Key Government legislation; thus putting on the record that NZ First's support cannot simply be taken for granted by the new Government, and especially its justice-reforming/crusading former leader, Justice Minister Andrew Little.

But credit too to Mr Little for seeing fit to launch a deep, wide-ranging review of how to deal with NZers' penchant for 'locking up and throwing away the key', as PM Peters put it during Parliament's Question Time the other week. Just continuing with things as the last Government had left them was not an option, was no acceptable solution to NZ Justice in the long-term. That is, simply building more and more prisons and locking up more and more lower-level offenders in *some mad scheme to follow in the steps of incarceration-mad America is no answer, as New Zealand's ever-burgeoning prison population makes increasingly only too apparent.

And it will not do, either, for the newfangled National Party and its justice spokespeople - Judith Collins and Mark Mitchell in particular - and even its deputy, Paula Bennett, in this particular instance - to seek to turn even Mr Little's well-intentioned goal of dealing to NZ's exploding imprisonment rate into an essential falsehood by appealing to entrenched and understandable popular fears; somehow - and quite erroneously - suggesting he (or more correctly his Government) intends releasing dangerous crims willy-nilly back into the community with neither proper plan nor procedure to reintegrate them successfully.

But I don't deny National perhaps does have some credibility in suggesting this new Government - or rather its Labour party rump (and especially its Green party component) - is indeed **congenitally soft on crime, such congenital wishy-washiness no doubt arising from the fact that so few politicians seem to ever have had any even indirect association with serious crimes and'/or criminals let alone the victims thereof; much less any direct personal experience thereof. Which was undoubtedly how the 'ole line about liberals being conservatives who haven't yet been mugged originally came about.

As one who experienced ***just such while on a three-year sojourn in the U S of A 25-some years ago, I can assure readers that it wakes one up to reality and can indeed have a quite a sobering effect upon any previously highly academic political theorizing. Indeed, can it what.

*/**My characterization (or paraphrases) of their respective thoughts as expressed in speeches, I grant; with some elaboration into my own characteristic thoughts and expressions.

***Admittedly, if such is possible, without the physical component of such (i.e. mugging). Though that undoubtedly sounds like an utter contradiction-in-terms, let's just say that I was ****accosted in a very physical (if un-'violent') fashion, which - all things being equal - could've well seen me forthwith assigned six feet under, I kid you not. Yes, entirely sufficient to quickly *****'............ the mind'.

****'To approach and address', according to my trusty Chambers Concise Dictionary, and 'to greet and approach, often offensively', in the words of my Heinemann New Zealand Dictionary. So you indeed 'learn something new every day', as they say, as this fellow did far worse, he grabbed me and held me firm by throwing his arms across my waist and gripping me firmly in his powerful 'embrace'. Before proceeding to lead me into an open alleyway and demanding I spill all my worldly monies out of my pockets or I'd be in some pretty deep doggy doo-doo, not to put too fine a point upon it.

*****Sorry, the appropriate term temporarily escapes my recollection.