New Zealand terror threat no hoax

New Zealand is against war with Iraq.

Guess you can run (they did), but you can't hide (didn't work).

Be very careful.

The socialistist trend is true. Fewer and fewer people working to support more and more people on the dole, while the infrastructure of transportation, education and health care borders on third world quality. It's a shame as the people are wonderful and the country beautiful, but potentially tough times ahead.

I believe it's Elmo's shrill like vocals that are analogious of an air raid siren that got him the job. But I could be wrong. I'd have went with the psyco drummer (name ?) for the top spot myself.

Stay Safe !!

I think that character was Animal from the Muppet Show. Clearly the Muppet code terror threat level meter needs some thought.

Remember the Kiwi woman who offered to let President Bush nail her to a cross in hopes that her "sacrifice" would stave off a war? Perhaps she needs to make the same offer to those who would commit acts of terror in her own country.

Of course, the terrorists would be happy to take her up on that one, so she'll never do it.

We would appreciate your help but if it doesn't come, so be it. Even if it was only the UK and us going into this, or even if it was ourselves alone, it wouldn't make a damn bit of difference. But the fact is a few dozen countries are assisting and supporting us in this effort. If New Zealand opts out, fine. It is not as if you're needed.

I doubt many in your country understand this, but we are not about to start a war, we have been at war for a year and a half now and we are going to do what we think best for our own long term safety and security.

Now, regarding my memory, it's quite long, thank you, and having made regular visits to New Zealand over more than twenty years, I have nothing but genuine regard for your country and its people. But during a recent visit I had the chance to listen to Mrs. Clarke and read the papers in Auckland (I was there a few weeks ago). It struck me that your country has moved noticably to the left.

While I have to admit that your Prime Minister Lange in the 80's was worse, and that Mrs. Clarke is less overt (maybe she's pursuing a Kiwi version of the "third way"), but I got the strong feeling that New Zealand has caught the Canadian disease, that is a nearly complete disregard for your own security and safety, and that no matter how much we are cursed and despised by your government and press, a big brother in the form of the Australians or we will always come through to save you.

I hope you're right that New Zealand will continue to punch above its weight class and I may have been a bit harsh in what I wrote. If so, I apologise. But I honestly see parallels between your current government's attitude and that of the government in Canada.

I love New Zealand, but the country has become a socialist breeding ground

Only as long as the current Labour Government remains in power. Seems that the US had the same problem for 8 years back in the 90's.

They resemble Canadians in that having someone else care for their security for the past twenty years has made them lazy, complacent, and ungrateful to those who have been covering their backs all this time.

Uh, don't think so. Lazy?- speak for yourself. New Zealand has supplied troops and peacekeepers around the world, helping to cover others backs. Australia has been a prime recipient of New Zealand help by rotating troops through East Timor, suffering one combat casualty in the process. Australia was very concerned about Indonesia's intentions at the time. NZ shared that concern, helping to cover off Australia's Northern border for three years. New Zealand's permanent combat aircraft detachment at Nowra in Australia (before decommission) assisted with Australian forces training. Throw in all the World wars, numerous regional conflicts, and I'd say New Zealand has historically more than pulled its own weight. New Zealand is the most remote country in the world, so a degree of feeling safe, compared with most other parts of the world, goes with the territory. No nations on its borders either.

Fewer and fewer people working to support more and more people on the dole..

Don't think so. New Zealand's unemployment rate is lower than that of the USA.

while the infrastructure of transportation, education and health care borders on third world quality

Take the blinkers off.

The "Program for International Student Assessment" (PISA) was commissioned by the OECD in 2000 to assess 15yr old students in 32 countries, 28 of them members of OECD.

- New Zealand has the third highest mean score for reading literacy- beaten out by only Finland and Canada (and actual highest proportion at the top level)

- New Zealand has the third highest mean score for mathematical literacy (beaten out by only Japan and Korea)

- New Zealand has the sixth highest mean score for scientific literacy, the USA fourteenth.

Australia and the USA are consistently below NZ in the rankings, the USA woefully so.

Don't let emotion get in the way of the facts.

Some Skyhawk nostalgia, for anyone interested.

Seems that the US had the same problem for 8 years back in the 90's.

Yes, we did. It wasn't easy but we took care of it a couple years ago. What are the prospects of a conservative comeback in Wellington?

The "lazy" remark was uncalled for and I apologise. Heat of the moment. And I do appreciate the clarification on the government's policy regarding a UN resolution. Many if not most Americans (well, nearly everybody who posts at this site) feel anything the UN does beyond 1441 is a waste of time and an intentional obstruction. We are going to do what we feel necessary with or without the UN.

I know NZ forces have an extremely proud history from WWI and WWII, but the elimination of your air force and the seeming conversion of your military to peace-keepers-R-us gives the impression that you've all gone pacifist.

Finally, I can't argue with the academic comparisons. One problem we have here, among many, is the militancy of the teachers unions and the prevalence of "self esteem" as a substitute for knowledge. I'd have to presume your teachers still try to teach.

Finally, on a lighter note, sorry you lost the Cup, especially to a pack of compatriot merceneries.

Thanks, Katana, appreciate your reply.

We are against going to war without United Nations backing. We all agree that Sadam must be removed from power.

The United Nations will never back war against Saddam.

Saddam cannot be removed from power without war.

Therefore one or the other of your above statements cannot be true. Which one is it?

Yes the US defininitely had that problem for 8 years, and still does in many quarters. I made no comment about Canada. Regarding health care, I work in that sector and while the individual docs are top notch, the facilities, waitlists, bureaucracy, etc are appalling. Hernia operations will no longer be done in the public hospital, at least in Auckland. Schools vary from area to area and public vesus private. The public schools in the US especially in big cities are far behind NZ schools on average. Transportation is a huge problem in Auckland, but everywhere else it is probably fine. The US has steadily become socialistic and even with a conservative president, the trend continues.

Thanks also for your reply, Joonbug.