POLITICAL COMMISSAR

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is reporting that there is the possibility of a Springbok Player's strike on the eve of their departure to Europe for thr Autumn Internationals against Ireland and England after the appointment of Zola Yeye as their manager.
It is well known that Jake White wanted former Springbok player Naas Botha as manager and has been very unhappy about the possibility that the political nominee Yeye would be appointed.

SA Rugby has denied that the Springbok team has declared a dispute on the possible appointment of Zola Yeye, the SABC Eastern Cape regional manager, as manager of the Springbok touring team to the UK and Ireland.Earlier, it was reported that the Springbok management; team and coach were unhappy about reports that Yeye was about to be appointed. Two other short-listed candidates, Songezo Nayo, the former SA Rugby CEO, and Liston Ntshongwana, a former Springbok, were not accepted by the board of SA Rugby.Basil Haddad, the acting CEO of SA Rugby, says although there have been rumours of a dispute, no such action has been taken by any party.Meanwhile, a possible strike is looming within the Springbok rugby camp as the team prepares for their end-of-the-year tour to Ireland and England. There is upheaval in the camp because of the imminent appointment of Yeye as the Boks manager. The players are apparently demanding that Nayo, be appointed, while the board of SA Rugby favours Yeye.

This does not auger well for their tour to Europe. The once mighty Springboks have been reduced to an unhappy rabble by their new politacl masters.

So, Did Saddam Have Weapons of Mass Destruction?

The NY Times is reporting on papers captured in Iraq that have been posted on the internet that contain detailed accounts on how to build a nuclear device. See more details on Captain's Quarters http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/008423.php and commentary by Michelle Malkin http://michellemalkin.com/archives/006265.htm

Apparently this was all released now to embarrass Bush and help the Democrats, but has backfired. The interesting part is the note that the necessary materials and chemicals were shipped off to Syria in the weeks leading up to Gulf War II. For a long time the Israelis have been saying that this happened. They most probably have the best human intelligence on the ground in the ME.

All is not as it seems. There must be loads more information that we are not privy to

Waterfront Sports Stadium in Auckland

This is the act of a desperate government. It is the kind of thing that an African Dictator would do to divert the attention of a disaffected population. Viva Bob!

Rugby would be poorer without the landmark stadia such as Twickenham, Ellis Park, Murrayfield and Eden Park. Foreign tourists coming to the RWC in New Zealand want to see a match played at Eden Park, not a souless waterfront venue.

The difference in the costs of developing a new stadium or upgrading the old is so huge that nobody in their right mind would choose the new stadium. There is also the secondary consideration of wasting prime waterfront real estate for an inward-looking development when we have a wonderful opportunity to create an iconic world class venue for all the public to use.

It is time for us to say "NO! STOP WASTING OUR MONEY".

Rates Enquiry

We all know that this rates inquiry is a government snow-job and it's going to cost us $1.5 million. However a great line from Rodney Hide on the Breakfast show about Mark Burton.

"It took him 10 weeks to come up with the terms of reference for the rates inquiry and 10 minutes to decide to validate election misspending with legislation."

Halloween

Halloween or, more correctly, Hallowe'en, celebrated on October 31st, marks the last day of the year on the ancient Celtic calendar, its night being the time when all witches and warlocks walked abroad and engaged in wicked revelry. With the coming of Christianity, the feast was transformed into the Eve of All Hallows, or All Saints. The following poem by Robert Burns is a good indication of how pre-Christian Halloween beliefs and traditions survived well into the Christian era.

HALLOWEEN
by Robert Burns

Upon that night, when fairies light

On Cassilis Downans dance,

Or owre the lays, in splendid blaze,

On sprightly coursers prance;

Or for Colean the route is ta'en,

Beneath the moon's pale beams;

There, up the cove, to stray and rove,

Among the rocks and streams

To sport that night.

Among the bonny winding banks,

Where Doon rins, wimplin' clear,

Where Bruce ance ruled the martial ranks,

And shook his Carrick spear,

Some merry, friendly, country-folks,

Together did convene,

To burn their nits, and pou their stocks,

And haud their Halloween

Fu' blithe that night.

Go to http://www.djmcadam.com/halloween.htm for the complete poem

More On Labour's Unlawful Spending

On the blog site 'Public Address', Jim Evans, Emeritus Professor of Law at Auckland University, comments on the ruling of the Auditor General on Labour's and other political parties' election spending.

http://www.publicaddress.net/default,3639.sm#post

In Praise of the Auditor-General

"Not only did the Auditor-General get the law right, he acted with sense and courage in a difficult situation.

Let me return briefly to the retrospective legislation. If any Member of Parliament or party disagreed with the Auditor-General's report it was open to them to test the issue in the courts. That the Labour Party promoted, and other parties supported, retrospective legislation to validate expenditure the Auditor-General had held unlawful was appalling."

Enough said.

Upgrading My Boat

Just finished putting in a holding tank. Works a treat.

Now I am getting set up to put in an auto-helm. I bought a Raymarine ST4000+ at the Sailor's Corner sale and saved $300. This might be able to cope with the 'barn door' rudder and the weather helm at higher wind speeds that the H28 has. Just a couple of problems tho' -
- where does one put the fluxgate compass? They recommend it is sited near the roll and pitch centre in the aft half of the boat. My ballast is made of iron punchings so I have to have it raised and there is no suitable bulkhead in the aft half to attach it to. Does it have to be in mid line? Does it have to be orientated facing either for' or aft, or can it face the beam as long as it is vertical? - the instruction manual says that it can face in any direction not either direction.
- the rudder is raked forward and transom mounted. This creates a problem as to finding the centre of rotation and to measure the distance along the tiller to attach the helm.

I'm sure that I'll come up with a solution. It certainly keeps me out of trouble. I hope to have it completed soon so that I have a trouble free summer cruising.