Wed 4th July 2007

I knew that my defense of a politician a few weeks back would bite me in the bum. Maybe they do deserve the lack of respect they get from newspaper Editors and everyone else for that matter.

Whether the irony was puposeful or coincidental, but on the 2pm National news today were two items. The first was that despite urgent recommendation from health advisors, the government has chosen not to fund an immunisation programme for the prevention of cervical cancer due to "monetary considerations". The item that followed it reported that the government is to give $10 million to the NZ Americas Cup syndicate in order for it to mount a new campaign whenever that will be. I don't think any further comment is needed, I leave you to make up your mind about the priorities of Helen Clark's government.

And what a precious bunch they are up there in the Beehive! The new rules of the debating chamber just passed with very few dissenters (which makes the rest of them a bunch of tossers) prevents photographers from taking photos of members sleeping, yawning, making rude gestures and anything else that could show them in a bad light or be used for satire. People have been sacked for sleeping in the workplace and the augument presented that most of those present in the chamber are just there to make up the numbers for voting purposes and should be able to do what they like without being observed just doesn't hold water. If they behaved like grown-ups rather than petulant children we might give them some of the respect they crave. I won't hold my breath.............