Outdoor Recreation abandons United Future

Outdoor Recreation has abandoned its agreement with United Future, because of concerns of its religious overtones. Clearly in denial, Dunne denies this! Claiming it was not unexpected, but he must be gutted. Outdoor Recreation now includes former United Future MP, Marc Alexander, who was one of the more sensible ones who lost in 2005 as United Future voters went back to National. Outdoor Recreation got over 2% at the 2002 election and Dunne would have hoped some of that went to United Future, now as No Right Turn observes, United Future will remain small.

.

However, he panders to homophobia and his whole opposition to civil unions was never one of substance, but simply claiming they were a cover up for gay marriage - he never expressed a view on gay marriage himself - but the implication was that he didn't like it. Statements like this from this speech:

.

Now while New Zealand society has progressed to a stage whereby we are tolerant of alternative lifestyles, and will willingly respect them as a private affair, many will baulk at the idea that the nature of marriage, an institution that also exists outside narrow legal definitions, is being altered in this way without their consent.

.

Well Peter, it was a private member's bill - and if you believe in democracy you'll accept that the people elected by voters chose as they saw fit to represent the views of their voters. If you're upset about government doing things without people's consent, then there is a lot more you can get distressed about Peter - like the taxes of the Labour government you have kept going for two terms now. Many baulked at legalising homosexual acts but you voted FOR it Peter. Snake! Unlike DPF, I don't think Peter Dunne is a good guy at all, but a reasonably sensible man who has been swaying across the political spectrum to stroke his ego - centrist, pro-immigrant, religious right. hmmm.
.
United Future has kept Labour in government for two terms now, so why gun enthusiasts would want to support it is beyond me. The United Future website continues to refer to Outdoor Recreation. ACT is now inviting Outdoor Recreation on board, which means ACT will need to be clear on its gun policy. I'd say Libertarianz has a lot to offer them too, with its belief in the right of peaceful people to own firearms.

Dunne the sports socialist

Peter Dunne is bemoaning claims by Trevor Mallard that sports that didn't do as well as predicted in the Commonwealth Games would have funds cut from the state for the Beijing Olympics.

.

Well tough Peter - it is not the role of the state to fund athletes. They ought to fund themselves or seek it from sponsorship. This is not east germany or some other old fashioned Cold War battle - it is about people choosing to commit to being their best, and the public shouldn't be force to pay for a particular career in athletics.

.

The best way to encourage athletes would be a cut in tax - then there would be more of what they earn, and what their supporters earn to help them on their way.

Sue Bradford hates Chinese workers

Sue Bradford slams Air New Zealand for buying - horror of horrors - foreign uniforms for its cabin crew (made with New Zealand wool). See it is ok for jobs to be created, just not those foreign people who don't look like us - who are more grateful for the work and charge far less for it. She says they are made in China, then says that most of them are being made overseas.

.

Well Sue, get ready - so is the fuel, so are the planes, so are the seats on the planes, most of the entertainment on the planes - and half the passengers too. Presumably you'd prefer them all to be locally made.

.

Outrageous - Air NZ should buy NZ made planes, using NZ made fuel, seats and only show NZ movies and TV shows and only carry NZ passengers - it can then aspire to be just like Air Koryo.

.

More seriously - if locally sourced uniforms were bought, it would cost more - less money for dividends (which go mostly to the government) and fares may increase - but then again, socialists have never cared much for running businesses efficiently.

Commonwealth Games

Good on Melbourne for hosting an exceptionally well run games.

.

One question though (I know the answer and it's childish) - why does the United Kingdom get to send seven teams, whereas every other Commonwealth country sends one?

.

I've had this argument with Brits - the United Kingdom is ONE country, the capital is London, only the UK can sign treaties with other countries, have diplomatic and trade relations, and sit in the UN and the EU. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (and the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey) are all regions - with substantial autonomy, but still regions. No different in essence from Tasmania or Quebec.

.

It's all very quaint for the English, Scots, Welsh, Ulsterites and the rest to feel some historic nationalism - but Wales hasn't been even nominally independent since 1284, Scotland since 1707 and Northern Ireland since 1800.

.

Of course, if the other Commonwealth countries don't mind it, then fine. Korea can send a united team to the Olympics, and it comes from two states which are more different than any of the British nationalities - why can't Britain? Unless it is a privilege of Empire.

BBC public service parties

The BBC spent £238 a head on a party at the Criterion in Piccadilly according to the Daily Telegraph.

.

Given the TV licence fee is half that, this is utterly outrageous. I emailed the BBC last week with a question for the head of the BBC as to whether it should be subscription only - with people paying the subscription getting a digital box with a card to watch BBC channels, and if you don't want it - you only get commercial channels. Then a socialist programme director rang me up asking me to clarify my question and argued with me - HELLO I pay your wages you arrogant toad. I'm forced to. I get inane questions like "what about the documentaries people wouldn't pay for" - um yes exactly my point - you make programmes people don't want. Besides commercial TV often produces the same quality or better.

.

I like a lot the BBC does - I would pay for it - but I object being forced to pay.