25 Oct: Daily Homily and Tweets

by | Oct 25, 2017 | Tweets | 12 comments

Most of those I follow on Twitter are of a similar mindset to me. As a result, most of the tweets from the US I see agree that Trump is a bad president and the country would be better off without him. However, I’m aware that I’m not seeing a representative cross-section of the country.

That came home to me on of 8 November last year. That night I found out something was wrong with the political judgement of many USians. Tens of millions gave their vote, without compunction, to one of the worst examples of humanity in the OECD. And, most of them don’t regret it.

There are plenty of polls showing that Donald Trump has historically low approval ratings. However, most Republicans don’t regret their vote. In fact, the likelihood is that if he’s still president in 2020, he will win the election.

Now we’ve just had an election here too. As you know, I don’t think the result is ideal. There are things that will happen that I won’t like. However, there will also be good things that come out of the new government. We would have got some of them whichever party was government, but others are positive moves we wouldn’t get without the current coalition configuration.

For example, the new government is going to increase the minimum wage from $15.75 hr to $16.50 hr on 1 April 2018. More increases are planned so that it will be $20 by 2020. Currently all children under 13 get free GP visits; that age will increase to 14. The first year of tertiary education or training will be paid for by the government from next year. There will be a whole range of new benefits available to superannunitants and the poor. And, there is a much stronger commitment to the environment including moving to 100% renewable energy sources by 2035.

We’ll also probably get referenda on Voluntary Euthanasia and the Legalization of Marijuana.

So when my nephew sent me the link to a story in today’s New Zealand Herald, the poor judgement of USians in relation to politics struck me. USA Today has compared our new left-wing prime minister Jacinda Ardern with Donald Trump, Marine Le Pen, Geert Wilders, Boris Johnson, Veselin Mareshki (Bulgaria), and even Rodrigo Duterte of the Phillipines.

Ardern is planning to stop overseas speculators buying existing houses (Note – NOT new ones!) in New Zealand, and is making it harder to buy properties bigger than five hectares. She is also going to review current immigration numbers. The reason she’s doing that is because the NZ First party is anti-immigration – his policies in regards to immigration are very Trump-like. However, it seems that immigration is what got her on this list.

Jacinda Ardern should not even be mentioned in the same breath as Donald Trump or the others in USA Today‘s list. They need to do better research in future.

Political Tweets

People buy these. They pay US$30 (NZ$43.53) for a ceramic mug with, “I ❤️ waking up and remembering that Donald Trump is president.” Excuse me while I’m sick.
(Via Ann German.)

 

In truth, Trump is destroying the institution of the US presidency.

 

Many of you will be following the debacle created by Trump that has resulted in him tweeting that a grieving gold star wife was lying.
(Via Ann German.)

 

Senator Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) has announced he will not seek reelection when his term ends. Unfortunately it’s mostly those with nothing left to lose who are speaking out like this.

His fellow Arizona senator John McCain has spoken up in support of him. It’s good to see there are still politicians of principle in the US.
(Via Ann German.)

 

Senator Bob Corker (R-Tennessee) is also standing up against Trump now that he is not seeking re-election.

 

Just sayin’
(Via Ann German.)

 

Human Rights Tweets

This is the sort of speech a president should be making in the current climate.
(Via Ann German.)

 

I’ve really had enough of all the people who are trying to blame the women for the actions of these a$$hole$!

 

Economics Tweets

The US President’s press secretary, Sarah Sanders, sent out this tweet:

 

To which this reply was sent. It explains a lot of the problems with the president’s tax plan.
(Via Ann German.)

 

Religion Tweets

On a previous tweets post, there was extensive discussion in the comments about being forgiven by God when we get it wrong. This is a pretty good example of where that sort of mentality gets you. Bill O’Reilly, by getting mad at God for “putting him through” this, is failing completely to take responsibility for his actions.
(Via Ann German.)

 

And you thought that all that Greek religious stuff was just myth!
(Via Ann German.)

 

The truth about Jesus …
(Via Ann German.)

 

Environment Tweets

I hadn’t even heard about this until Ann German sent me this tweet! Why isn’t it more prominent in the media? People need to know about it! Thank goodness for Twitter!

 

Scenic Tweets

Go to Japan. This could be your hotel receptionist!
(Via Ann German.)

 

Absolutely stunning California!

 

Entertainment Tweets

Back in the day!

Art Tweets

This is very cool!

 

Science Tweets

More on ISOLDE.

 

 

Marine Tweets

This Sun fish hasn’t seen the sea in a long time!

 

Another beautiful and amazing marine creature, the Feather duster worm (Sabellidae).

 

Other Animals Tweets

Meet the Tardigrade, a water-dwelling micro-animal.
(Via Ann German.)

 

Can you see why I’m posting this pic of a perfectly ordinary cow? Think pareidolia. Once seen, you can’t un-see it!
(Via Ann German.)

 

Keep watching through the first two minutes – the last bit is the best.

 

Someone likes their belly rubs! ????

 

Dog Tweets

That’s nice!

 

I’m sorry, but I laughed. Just a little bit, but the noise escaped my mouth.

Cat Tweets

Aren’t these gorgeous animals! What a pic! And even better, Ann German has adopted a snow leopard in my name. Isn’t that a wonderful gift? Her name is Anu. I’ll write a short post about her in the next few days.

 

Cute overload!!!
(Via Ann German.)

 

Now that’s a cat!

 

This cat has found the right spot for its nap!

 

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12 Comments

  1. Diane G.
    Diane G. on 25th October 2017 at 9:50 pm

    I really look forward to these compilations, Heather! Like the way you start with the ominous political posts, then end with a little animal sweetness for the soul.

    Reply
    • Heather Hastie
      Heather Hastie on 26th October 2017 at 9:15 am

      Thanks Diane. I used to do it the other way around. It was Mark R’s idea to change it, and I’m glad I did.

      Reply
      • Mark R.
        Mark R. on 27th October 2017 at 4:17 pm

        I’m happy that many (including you and me) like the sweet-endings. 🙂 Cheers.

        Reply
  2. David Andrews
    David Andrews on 26th October 2017 at 4:46 am

    Heather , I’ve been following @PredatorFreeNZ and I wonder whether you support their view. It seems like a lofty goal, and I LOVE their logo.

    Reply
    • Heather Hastie
      Heather Hastie on 26th October 2017 at 9:12 am

      Yes, I do support the goal. I must admit, I haven’t actually seen their logo or looked them up.

      I worked for MAF back in the 80s and one of the most important things we did in the part of the country I worked was possum control. We often did joint operations with the Pest Board as well. When I first went to that area most of the properties were on “movement control” for their cattle because their was so much bovine TB. The cattle were originally infected by possums. If a house cow had TB, it was possible for humans to become infected too. The TB status of those farms severely affected the incomes of those farmers too. Because of the work done by MAF and others in that area getting rid of possums, it’s now TB free.

      There’s also the obvious benefit of an increase in the native bird population.

      Almost all our possum operations, both big and small, were done with 1080. It is by far the best way to kill the possums. I have no time for those who are anti-1080. Most of them get their facts from the same sort of people who brought us the anti-vaccination and anti-fluoride lobbies.

      Anyway, I’ve been a strong supporter of predator-free NZ since long before it was a thing.

      Reply
  3. Lee Knuth
    Lee Knuth on 26th October 2017 at 5:19 am

    NZ choices in an election may not be perfect but they sure were better than ours. The resignation of those 2 GOP senators may not be good. We need reasonable legislators and with gerrymandering and large contributors who knows if reasonable people will replace them.

    Reply
    • Heather Hastie
      Heather Hastie on 26th October 2017 at 9:24 am

      Yeah. I think the problem on both sides is the way candidates are chosen. It tends to be people who are more extreme on both the left and right who are active in parties in some places and they select candidates who are more extreme. If the area is solid red or blue, which is more common in the US, those extreme candidates make it into government. Those extremist candidates don’t make it onto the ballot here because people are pragmatic enough to realize no one will vote for them and fewer electorates are solid for any party.

      Reply
    • j.a.m.
      j.a.m. on 26th October 2017 at 2:34 pm

      Corker and Flake did not resign, they just decided not to stand for re-election. It’s unlikely they will be succeeded by “reasonable” people, if by “reasonable” you mean Democrat. Tennessee last elected a Democrat senator in 1990, and Arizona in 1988. In any case we can rule out gerrymandering as an excuse, since senators are elected at large.

      Reply
      • Mark R.
        Mark R. on 27th October 2017 at 5:19 pm

        Yeah, we can rule out gerrymandering. We’ll just stick to straight-out voter suppression. Many red-states don’t run fair elections, haven’t you heard? Pretty simple to do your due-diligence and learn the truth. As an American citizen, you should be outraged at the Republican party’s overt efforts to suppress the vote…or manipulate it by gerrymandering. “Cross-check” is the latest and most sophisticated iteration. On and on it goes with your party. I live in a blue state (by choice). Our ballots are sent to us in the mail, along with a brochure explaining all the initiatives, candidate bios, etc. You can either send the ballots in via mail or drop them off at the library or post office or school or other convenient locations. Adding to our blue-state fairness is the fact that it’s analog (no voting machines to be hacked here), no lines (many of the long lines are purposely exasperated in red-states), no extra fees and hassles incurred by mandatory special id’s, no thugs (always republicans) to harass people at voting locations. In other words, in my state, the state government encourages its citizens to participate and vote. Unfortunately, a large majority of red states’ governments discourage their citizens from participating and voting. If you live in one of these voter-suppressed states, I charge you to call your anti-vote representatives and assert your disapproval; consider it your democratic duty.

        Reply
        • j.a.m.
          j.a.m. on 27th October 2017 at 6:59 pm

          Vote early and often, say the Dems. No reason to disenfranchise our companion animals, favorite cartoon characters, or the dearly departed.

          FWIW, I participate in the electoral process of a hopelessly blue state with one of the worst voting rights records, as well as the most archaic laws and corrupt procedures — closed primaries, draconian ballot access, no early voting, early deadlines, antiquated registration and cumbersome absentee voting. The incumbent Democrat politicians (when they aren’t in jail) are quite happy with the status quo.

          Reply
          • Steven in Tokyo
            Steven in Tokyo on 28th October 2017 at 1:05 am

            Are you going to tell us which state it is? Let us check the voting records, the archaic laws, and the corrupt procedures. Telling us which state you live in isn’t going to ‘out’ you. Or are you too shy to say?

          • Heather Hastie
            Heather Hastie on 28th October 2017 at 7:11 am

            Have you ever done anything about this except moan to your friends? How about, as a minimum, writing to your state government to register your disapproval? I’d recommend giving some suggestions for change too, and ask them to at least look into them. How do you know the incumbents are happy with the current situation in reality otherwise? Or is it just your assumption?

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