tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-11-21:/A general blog of a variety of topics.Entertainment,information, amusement etcMokoFeed2009-11-21T09:27:39+01:00tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-11-11:/2009/11/11/russian-baby-has-koranic-verses-on-his-body-7348723/huttriver2009-11-11T03:32:49+01:002009-11-11T03:32:49+01:00 <p>Russian baby has koranic verses on his body..</p> <p>A Russian baby is attracting crowds of pilgrims after claims that verses from the Koran appear on his body.</p> <p>Thousands of people are lining up every day to catch a glimpse of nine-month-old Ali Yakubov.</p> <p>Religious leaders say the Koranic verse "Be thankful or grateful to Allah" was printed on the baby's leg in clear Arabic script this week. Apparently the script appears and fades every few days.</p> <p>However visiting foreign journalists later saw a single letter, according to Reuters India. </p> <p>But in Russia's mostly Muslim Kizlyar region, in the south of the country, many are convinced this is a miracle.</p> <p>Sagid Murtazaliyev, head of the region, told Reuters: "The fact that this miracle happened here is a signal to us to take the lead and help our brothers and sisters find peace."</p> <p>People are seizing on the "miracle" as a symbol of hope in an area which has been troubled by suicide bombs and attacks on police and security services.</p> <p>The baby's home has now been turned into a shrine and imams have been putting up photographs of the baby's arms and legs covered in the Arabic script for the crowd to admire.</p> <p>Vladimir Zakharov, deputy director of the Caucasus Research Centre at the Moscow State University of International Relations, told Reuters: "Islam and fear of terrorism now totally dominate the North Caucasus, and they are perhaps using this to escape from a certain reality."</p> <p>But Yakubov's 26-year-old mother Madina told Reuters the script was a message from Allah. She said: "Allah is great and he sent me my miracle child to keep our people safe."</p> <p>I just hope the baby doesn't mind being prodded and poked because presumably he's in for quite a lot of that.</p> <p>Do you believe in miracles? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/11/11/russian-baby-has-koranic-verses-on-his-body-7348723/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-11-01:/2009/11/02/is-dec-21-2012-the-end-of-the-world-7288879/huttriver2009-11-02T00:16:09+01:002009-11-02T00:16:09+01:00 <p> Is December 21 2012 - The End of The World?</p> <p>Until a couple of years ago there were not that many people who were acquainted with the end of the world 2012 prophecy that was put forward by many scholars who studied the end of the Mayan long calendar. This Long Count calendar has lasted for five thousand one hundred and twenty five years, and although the end of the calendar leads to many different interpretations, one of the most popular is the belief that at the end of this cycle the world (or humanity’s existence) will come to an abrupt end on December 12th, 2012.</p> <p>Get a Professional View of The Processes of The 2012 Countdown Scientists Do Not Want You to Know</p> <p>In order to fully understand the 2012 end of the world predications, then you should first understand the calendar that is at the center of this controversy. The current cycle, or baktun, of this calendar began on August 13th, 3114 B.C. This marked the end of the last period and the beginning of the current one. The baktun that we are currently living in is the thirteenth, and the end of this cycle is one that has been considered to have a large level of importance to the Mayan people, which is why so many people have come to the conclusion that this cycle’s end is one that will mean the end of the world as we know it.</p> <p>While there is no definite proclamation of how the end of the world 2012 will happen, those who have studied this calendar claim that the long calendar was created in order to correspond with a long term astronomical prediction by the Mayan people. This has led some to believe that this end of the world scenario will play out in a manner that has something to do with something from beyond this world. While this correlation to something that is going on in outer space is not a definite thing, for some it comes from a basic understanding of Mayan culture and their unique understanding of astronomical phenomena and planetary alignments.</p> <p>The Truth About Planet X - Nibiru<br> Something else that has been considered is the belief that the 2012 end of the world will come to Earth not through some planetary force outside of our galaxy, but through the power of our own sun. Some who have studied the timing of the 2012 prophesy and combined this knowledge with an understanding of the solar system believe that the end will come via a large solar flare. This flare will come about because of the infiltration of the orbits of the planets in our solar system by an outside orbiting planet that the Sumerians and the Babylonians referred to as Nibiru, and is sometimes referred to by modern scientists as Planet X. Those who subscribe to this theory believe that this planet only orbits through our system once every three thousand six hundred years. </p> <p>In addition to this, these cultures believed that there were a race of people who lived on Nibiru that were known as the Anunnaki. According to their creation mythology this superior race of beings came to Earth and genetically engineered human beings. They did this because they needed to get gold ore from our planet in order to help save their own environment. The humans that they created helped them by mining the gold from Africa. The basis for this mythology was found in ancient writings that were recently uncovered in relation to the ancient Sumerians, and they documented this creation in detail in their writings. If they are correct, then the end of the world 2012 that is depicted in the Mayan calendar will also coincide with the return of the Anunnaki. In essence, it would be the return of our creators, and this is also something that is closely linked in with the belief that the Mayan calendar signals the forthcoming Apocalypse.</p> <p>According to this 2012 end of the world philosophy, when this planetary body re-enters our system it will cause massive disruptions in the orbits of Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, and Earth. When Nibiru crosses our orbit they believe that it will cause the gases in Jupiter to ignite because it will get too close to the sun and the precarious balance that keeps its gas structure in check will be lost, therefore causing Jupiter to turn into a secondary sun. In combination with this, the solar flares that are released from the sun on a naturally reoccurring cycle are set to peak during the year 2012. It is believed that this occurrence in combination with the cycle of Nibiru will cause a massive amount of damage to the planet on a level that has never been seen before.</p> <p>Planetary Alignment 2012<br> However, there are others who contend that the end of the world 2012 prophesy actually refers to a very rare planetary alignment that will occur during the winter solstice in the year 2012. At this time the entire Milky Way (including the earth and the sun) will align at a point that is known as the galactic equator. This alignment is so rare that it only happens every twenty five thousand years. It is thought that this rare planetary alignment could signal a shift in the magnetic poles. This polar shift has happened before in the distant past, and if it were to happen now it would cause massive destruction across the globe. Some claim that the reason the Mayan long calendar ends on this exact date is that something is going to happen in combination with this alignment, the introduction of Nibiru, and the solar flares. It can’t be a coincidence that all of these things are scheduled to happen at the same time that the Mayan calendar is set to come to its conclusion, can it?</p> <p>If nothing else the 2012 end of the world prophesy that is brought about by the Mayan calendar does bring with it several questions about this culture’s knowledge of celestial events and happenings that they could not have possibly understood, let alone have mapped out to the extent that they did. Their understanding of the solar system, the planetary alignments, and other important events is something that cannot be easily explained or understood by most people who have studied this rare Mayan philosophy. </p> <p>The end of the world 2012 scenario is one that frightens many people, but this does not have to be the case. If you are interested in finding out more about the theories and philosophies that the 2012 doomsday prophesy is founded on, then you visit the link below to find out more about the end of the world and what you can do to help your family survive any number of disasters. On top of this you can get a complete three hundred and sixty degree view of the processes of the 2012 countdown, including a special bulletin that will keep you up to date on everything that is related to this upcoming date and the disastrous implications it brings with it. So, if you are someone who is looking to make sure that they stay ahead of the danger and keep on top of new developments on the end of the world 2012, then this site is the perfect thing to keep you informed and prepared.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/11/02/is-dec-21-2012-the-end-of-the-world-7288879/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-10-27:/2009/10/27/balloon-boy-story-a-hoax-7256791/huttriver2009-10-27T23:24:22+01:002009-10-27T23:24:22+01:00 <p>Balloon boy story a hoax...</p> <p>The mother of the so-called 'balloon boy' admited it was all a hoax - they just wanted their own reality TV show. But the boy blew it! The parents may well have made a fortune out of such a show.</p> <p>There are 200 children on reality and other TV shows right now. If they are being exploited as some claim, it is despicable!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/10/27/balloon-boy-story-a-hoax-7256791/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-10-19:/2009/10/19/out-of-every-tragedy-comes-sunlight-7197582/huttriver2009-10-19T04:01:09+02:002009-10-19T04:01:09+02:00 <p>Out of every tragedy comes sunlight...</p> <p>Out of every tragedy comes sunlight. A little hero emerges from the shambles of disaster.</p> <p>A ten year old New Zealand girl on holiday in Samoa when the deadly tsunami struck the southern coast beach a few weeks back, received a special award in NZ last week.</p> <p>Remembering her primary school teacher's lesson on tsunamis, she recognised the characteristics of the tsunami. When she saw the water receding rapidly, she ran up and down the beach screaming, "tsunami', and undoubtably saved many, many lives.</p> <p>What a clever and resourceful young girl. And she didn't go to school just to eat her lunch either. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/10/19/out-of-every-tragedy-comes-sunlight-7197582/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-10-05:/2009/10/05/nz-anti-smacking-legislation-may-be-vindicated-by-american-research-7100070/huttriver2009-10-05T02:05:14+02:002009-10-05T02:05:14+02:00 <p>NZ anti-smacking legislation may be vindicated by American research...</p> <p>I sometimes turn some of my more controversial letters to the editor in Wellington into posts on my local blogs. I will find a link to the legislation for your interest. This legislation caused a lot of controversy because some groups, fundamentalist churches amongst them, claimed it was interference by a nanny state into the rights of parents.</p> <p>I never took a public stand on this issue, preferring to sit on the fence and wait for some reaction. Sadly this issue had some affect on the NZ parliamentary elections and subsequent defeat for the three term Labour led Government last November.</p> <p>At a time when the ultra rightwing Act Party New Zealand is seeking to overturn and revoke the so-called "anti-smacking legislation" in New Zealand, new research has emerged from the United States that the smacking of young children by their low income minority group mothers has set off a few explosions within American society.</p> <p>The research from Duke University which has been published in the journal of CHILD DEVELOPMENT revealed the study of 2573 toddlers and has found that for poor children, early and frequent smacking by the age of one year, is not only common, but made these children more aggressive by the age of two years, and by the age of three years their socio- emotional development had slowed dramatically.</p> <p>They also found that low socio-economic mothers are more likely to have started smacking a fussy and irritable baby by the age of one year if the mothers are depressed. Boys were yelled at and smacked more often than girls, and the poorer the family, the greater the likelyhood children would be punished at an earlier age.</p> <p>The collective results suggest that the causes and effects of smacking are bound tightly together, making it very difficult to interpret the particular influences of poverty, genetics, gender differences and culteral expectations.</p> <p>The American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommends against corporal punishment.</p> <p>This research put into a New Zealand perspective would suggest the so-called anti-smacking legislation in this country should not in any circumstance be revoked or even amended. It has also been reported that very few so-called good parents have been prosecuted. So why would you want to break something that is actually working?</p> <p><a href="http://blogevolve.com/blog/huttriver12">http://blogevolve.com/blog/huttriver12</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/10/05/nz-anti-smacking-legislation-may-be-vindicated-by-american-research-7100070/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-09-27:/2009/09/27/i-have-a-new-email-address-7046659/huttriver2009-09-27T02:46:59+02:002009-09-27T02:46:59+02:00 <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" alt=":D" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Hey, I have a new email address: </p> <p><a href="mailto:peterofnewzealand@myspace.com">peterofnewzealand@myspace.com</a></p> <p>Drop me a line!<br> -peter</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/09/27/i-have-a-new-email-address-7046659/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-08-23:/2009/08/23/good-morning-u-k-6797859/huttriver2009-08-23T04:48:02+02:002009-08-23T04:48:02+02:00 <p> I just posted this on the new site, "SideTick" and had to re-circulate it to UK blog:</p> <p>Do you know I almost wrote, "Good morning Vietnam" here. Wonder why I wrote that? I remember the film well with Robin Williams acting the role of DJ on the forces radio in Vietnam. Good morning, Vietnam!</p> <p>I had a brother and a brother -in-law in the conflict - the are both dead now. They were both still young when they died of heart failure - thats when your heart stops, you know? Funny that!</p> <p>My bro was a military policeman and died of a massive heart attack at the age of 33 years. He died in camp at Burnham, just outside Christchurch, NZ. He had problems getting over what he experienced in Vietnam. He spent a lot of time in the city (Saigon) and out on patrol outside the city. Do you know the Vietcong never attacked his jeep because he was a Kiwi. Yes, thats true, they had a lot of respect for our troops and country. Thats not to say they wouldn' try to kill them in battle, though!</p> <p>My bro in law came back to NZ after service as a rifleman. Some years later he developed nerve problems, had to have many operations, deterioated physically, wasted away and died. He was a big strapping young man when he went to Vietnam. Heard of Agent Orange? I have, but he didn't. But by Jesus I know what killed him!</p> <p>Why do I write of Vietnam? I just thought about it, probably have Afghanistan on my mind, thinking just how dangerous this could be for our Kiwi troops, even if they are special forces, but we do have engineers and medics there too. I think of the wasted lives in Iraq! So many American boys, and girls too these days, who won't be walking back home!</p> <p>Oh well, old morbid me. See you all later!</p> <p>Peter</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/08/23/good-morning-u-k-6797859/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-08-15:/2009/08/15/somali-pirates-get-their-own-treatment-6733177/huttriver2009-08-15T23:40:37+02:002009-08-15T23:40:37+02:00 <p>A new report out just a couple of hours ago would suggest that Somali pirates are getting some of their own treatment:</p> <p>BOSSASO, Somalia (Reuters) – Somali pirates found seven dead colleagues floating in the ocean on Saturday and vowed to take revenge against Egyptian fishermen they say killed them during an escape, an associate of the pirates said.</p> <p>The 34 fishermen had been held hostage by the pirates since April, but they managed to overpower their guards on Thursday and fled in their two fishing vessels after a gun battle.</p> <p>Two of their captors were killed during that shoot-out, and the pirates said the Egyptians took several others with them.</p> <p>"We have found seven of our dead colleagues floating in the sea," said the associate, who gave his name as Farah, by telephone from one of the gangs' strongholds, Las Qoray.</p> <p>"The Egyptian crew members killed them ... we used to welcome them and treat the Egyptians better than other hostages, but if we capture more of them we shall get our revenge."</p> <p>Sea gangs from the failed Horn of Africa state have made tens of millions of dollars in ransoms targeting shipping using the strategic Gulf of Aden that links Europe to Asia.</p> <p>Acknowledgements: NZ City</p> <p><a href="http://blogevolve.com/blog/huttriver12">http://blogevolve.com/blog/huttriver12</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/08/15/somali-pirates-get-their-own-treatment-6733177/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-08-05:/2009/08/05/where-i-want-my-body-to-rest-6654164/huttriver2009-08-05T04:12:50+02:002009-08-05T04:12:50+02:00 <p>Where I want my body to rest...</p> <p>A group of us Kiwis were discussing where we would like our bodies taken to before our respective funerals.</p> <p>One was definately in favour of being at home. Another at the chapel, and a Maori bloke wanted to be on view at the marae. One other said just leave me in the morgue!</p> <p>But I said to him,"Hey Mike, you'll be lonely there; you won't have anybody to talk to." He looked at me, and laughed!</p> <p><a href="http://blogevolve.com.blog/huttriver12">http://blogevolve.com.blog/huttriver12</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/08/05/where-i-want-my-body-to-rest-6654164/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-07-21:/2009/07/21/nz-police-assist-indonesian-police-hunt-down-suicide-bombers-6557861/huttriver2009-07-21T06:47:12+02:002009-07-21T06:47:12+02:00 <p>New Zealand police based in Jakarta are assisting Indonesian police to hunt down suicide bombers who killed nine people including a NZ born businessman.</p> <p>Suspected Islamist terrorists blew up the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott luxury hotels in the upmarket business district of Jakarta on Friday, also injuring another 50 people.</p> <p>Kiwi Mr Tim Mackay, aged 62 years was the president director of Swiss owned cement maker, Holcim Indonesia; two Australian businessmen were part of the number of nine killed as well.</p> <p><a href="http://blogevolve.com/blog/huttriver12">http://blogevolve.com/blog/huttriver12</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/07/21/nz-police-assist-indonesian-police-hunt-down-suicide-bombers-6557861/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-07-16:/2009/07/16/family-suspect-foul-play-nz-man-found-dead-in-wheelie-bin-in-england-6524167/huttriver2009-07-16T05:29:21+02:002009-07-16T05:29:21+02:00 <p>Family suspect foul play - NZ man found dead in wheelie bin in England...</p> <p>His sister, Jolene, 34, also of Hamilton, also does not believe her brother climbed into the bin.</p> <p>The shock of his death was still sinking in.</p> <p>"We just can't believe it," she said. "It's a huge shock to us and want to have him home so we can put closure to it really."</p> <p>Mr Williams, a former Waikato swimming champion and student at Hamilton's Fraser High School, had been living and working as a teacher in London since 2000.</p> <p>Sussex police told the Waikato Times this morning they were treating Mr Williams' death as "unexplained rather than suspicious".</p> <p>Acknowledgements: NZPA </p> <p><a href="http://peter-petterson.blogspot.com">http://peter-petterson.blogspot.com</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/07/16/family-suspect-foul-play-nz-man-found-dead-in-wheelie-bin-in-england-6524167/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-06-30:/2009/06/30/a-parable-on-how-we-got-into-this-economic-mess-in-the-first-place-6423445/huttriver2009-06-30T05:42:51+02:002009-06-30T05:42:51+02:00 <p>A parable on how we got into this economic mess in the first place".</p> <p>As the stockbroker, dressed in his pinstriped suit, stepped out of his BMW in Queen Street, Auckland, (it could well have been Sydney, London or New York) another car slammed into his door, shearing it right off! </p> <p>When the police arrived the stockbroker was apopleptic."Did you see what that idiot did to my car, my beautiful BMW," he screamed."Have you any idea how much this car cost?" </p> <p>"Sir!", the officer said, "You're so concerned about your car you haven't noticed your arm has been ripped off too!" </p> <p>The stokebroker took one look at where his arm used to be, and screamed,"Where's my Rolex?</p> <p>Some would suggest this is the capitalist value system in action? </p> <p><a href="http://blogevolve.com/blog/huttriver12">http://blogevolve.com/blog/huttriver12</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/06/30/a-parable-on-how-we-got-into-this-economic-mess-in-the-first-place-6423445/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-06-19:/2009/06/19/to-an-ecosystemic-hell-in-a-handcart-maybe-not-6339721/huttriver2009-06-19T05:21:44+02:002009-06-19T05:21:44+02:00 <p>To an ecosystemic hell in a handcart, maybe not...</p> <p>First published at Qassia:</p> <p>Many Greenies claim we are all going to an ecosystemic hell in a handcart. Maybe and maybe not! It all depends on who you are talking to at the time.</p> <p>Some claim we are irreparably damaging or even ruining our world's fragile ecosystems, and the losers will be our grandchildren who will inherit degraded landscapes and empty seas. Maybe and maybe not! </p> <p>Some claim humankind has ruined the earth in 200,000 years that has taken four billion years to develop. Maybe and maybe not! I don't believe the point of no return has yet been passed - we are listening, watching and beginning to give cognisance to the problems that are not all humankind's. Cyclical weather patterns have caused nature to run rampant as well. We are now making decisions to plan schemes to stop the damage that has occurred. We are becoming green and aware! That in itself is a start! </p> <p>Some claim it would take centuries or even millenia to rectify the damage to ecosystems and earth itself. There is already evidence that nature, given time, can rectify many of humankind's follies. Jungles can grow back in a few years to where rainforests were destroyed through clear-felling. There is proof of this in areas such as the Amazon in South America. </p> <p>This has been confirmed by a couple of researching American scientists from Yale University, Holly Jones and Oswald Schmitz, who have reportedly spent years studying attempts at repairing ecosystems that have been damaged by farming, burning, hurricanes, logging, mining,oil spills,overfishing, building power plants, trawling and polluting waterways(including half a dozen successful examples in my country of New Zealand). </p> <p>Researchers such as this duo are heartened that things have gone extremely well in some instances. They have found that many ecosystems are not as fragile as some would claim; many are extremely resilient and have been successfully repaired. </p> <p>About 5% of the 240 ecosystems examined have been irretrievably ruined, but many if not most have been successfully returned to their original state. </p> <p>It was farming and logging ecosystems that took the longest to recover, averaging about 42 years, but aquatic ecosystems took about half that time. </p> <p>Dr Jones' and Schmitz' unfashionable takehome message is reportedly that although humans will continue to screw up their environment, most of the damage can be repaired quite quickly, giving hope to humankind to transition to substainable management of global ecosystems. This does, in my opinion, give more time to deal with natural eco-systemic damage through weather and sun effects. </p> <p>Acknowledgements: Bob Brockie, World of Science, NZ.</p> <p><a href="http://worldofcae.blogspot.com">http://worldofcae.blogspot.com</a> 'Green Planet blog' </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/06/19/to-an-ecosystemic-hell-in-a-handcart-maybe-not-6339721/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-05-31:/2009/05/31/mils-muliaina-to-lead-ab-s-in-first-three-tests-mccaw-injured-and-rested-6205325/huttriver2009-05-31T04:44:30+02:002009-05-31T04:44:30+02:00 <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_smile.gif" alt=":)" class="middle" border="0"><br> Mils Muliaina will become only the second fullback to captain the All Blacks in Test rugby after the first New Zealand squad of the season was named in Auckland on Sunday.</p> <p>Muliaina, the captain of the beaten Super 14 finalists the Chiefs, will follow 1913 fullback Joe O'Leary who captained the All Blacks in two Tests against Australia.</p> <p>All Blacks coach Graham Henry said he had spoken with Muliaina after the final in Pretoria earlier on Sunday, and while he had been disappointed with the outcome of that game, he was delighted to be named as captain and felt very privileged.</p> <p>Missing from the squad is No.8 Rodney So'oialo who Henry was emphatic had not been dropped.</p> <p>So'oialo had a neck problem that needed rehabilitation after a busy Super 14 season and he would be selected for the Tri Nations Series, Henry said.</p> <p>New caps in the side are prop Wyatt Crockett, lock Isaac Ross and loose forward Tanerau Latimer.</p> <p>Henry said the selection panel was looking forward to getting back to work after six months out of coaching and they were delighted that France and Italy had picked strong teams for the forthcoming matches in New Zealand.</p> <p>"There's a wee bit of history with the French, as you know," Henry said.</p> <p>Injured players, halfback Brendon Leonard and lock Ali Williams, were included in the side and were most likely to be considered for the second Test against France, the second of the three Tests in the series.</p> <p>Forwards coach Steve Hansen said Wyatt Crockett had moved ahead of other contenders, notably Jamie Mackintosh, as a result of his improved scrimmaging.</p> <p>"We sat down and talked with him last year and said he needed to do some extra work, especially around his core area. And he has got stronger and is scrummaging better," he said.</p> <p>Henry said it was likely that Liam Messam would be the preferred choice at No.8 in place of So'oialo while it was a position that Kieran Read could also play.</p> <p>Backs coach Wayne Smith said he felt utility back Isaia Toeava's best position was fullback and that was where the selectors would like to see him develop.</p> <p>The All Blacks squad is: John Afoa, Jimmy Cowan, Wyatt Crockett, Stephen Donald, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Richard Kahui, Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer, Brendon Leonard, Keven Mealamu, Liam Messam, Mils Muliaina (captain), Ma'a Nonu, Kieran Read, Josevata Rokocoko, Isaac Ross, Conrad Smith, Adam Thomson, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Isaia Toeava, Piri Weepu, Ali Williams, Tony Woodcock, Rudi Wulf.</p> <p>The Junior All Blacks side is: Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Aled de Malmanche, Tom Donnelly, Jason Eaton, Hikawera Elliot, Jacob Ellison, Tamati Ellison, Bryn Evans, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Robert Fruean, Hosea Gear, Sione Lauaki, Karl Lowe, Luke McAlister, Jamie Mackintosh, Lelia Masaga, Alby Mathewson, Rene Ranger, Colin Slade, Chris Smylie, Jeremy Thrush, Anthony Tuitavake, George Whitelock, Victor Vito.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/05/31/mils-muliaina-to-lead-ab-s-in-first-three-tests-mccaw-injured-and-rested-6205325/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-05-29:/2009/05/29/three-hours-in-a-bog-6195688/huttriver2009-05-29T04:20:40+02:002009-05-29T04:20:40+02:00 <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0">Its off to Germany today: A 34 year old woman slipped on a toilet floor and endured three hours in a squat toilet in the German town of Offenburg.</p> <p>She lost her balance as she was leaving the toilet and got her foot stuck in the floor-level lavatory opening. The Fire Service unsealed the toilet from beneath in an attempt to push her leg up, but every attempt to dislodge her was met with a cry of pain, even after partial anaesthesia.</p> <p>The officers eventually ripped out the entire lavatory unit and cut her free with a saw. The woman was then taken to hospital with minor injuries, and extremely hurt pride!</p> <p> <a href="http://huttriver.blogster.com">http://huttriver.blogster.com</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/05/29/three-hours-in-a-bog-6195688/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-05-10:/2009/05/10/to-mexico-with-love-a-date-with-a-miracle-cure-6089268/huttriver2009-05-10T01:43:28+02:002009-05-10T01:48:03+02:00 <p> To Mexico with love - a date with a miracle cure…</p> <p>This story emanating from the Wellington daily, Dominion Post yesterday, tugged at my heartstrings; I’m really an old softie, but this was different.</p> <p>The Mexican Swine flu outbreak has reportedly delayed a Levin ( near Wellington) family’s hunt for a miracle cure for their young daughter.</p> <p>Young Jaide Pearson is just eight years old, the age of one of my own granddaughters. She is a blind quadriplegic who also suffers from cerebal palsy. What on earth did she do to someone in a previous life? Her mother, Jayne, and granddad Norm, had planned to take her to a pioneering clinic in Tijuana, Mexico, next month after she was accepted for experimental stem cell therapy.</p> <p>Then along came the Swine flu outbreak in Mexico, with its much debated figures concerning infected people and those who have died - and in the process forced this family to delay the trip until September of this year, 2009.</p> <p>Jaide had apparently suffered a haemorrhage in the womb, and was subsequently born with severe brain damage. The FernandoRamirez clinic in Tijuana can hopefully provide a miracle cure for little Jaide, who is also mute!</p> <p>Her mother, Jayne, wants her to have a better quality of life, but they couldn’t risk taking her to Mexico during the flu epidemic and had to wait until the risk had been contained.</p> <p>Granddad Norm said the therapy which involves inserting stem cells into Jaide’s brain from the umbilical cords of healthy full-term babies, had the potential to cure her. “We would be delighted if she could see, it would be wonderful if she could walk. I would love her to be able to put her arms around me to give me a cuddle.” he said.</p> <p>I have a granddaughter of the same age and fully understand just how Norm feels, but through the grace of god our family has never had to deal with such health problems that he and his family has had to endure.</p> <p>The family has been told to expect improvements within the 180 days after the procedure - which is not medically approved in many countries, including New Zealand.</p> <p>These hopes were sparked by a TV documentary last February, reportedly showing a 2 year old Dunedin, NZ, cerebral palsy sufferer, Caleb Turner’s, remarkable improvement after undergoing treatment in Mexico. An 8 year old legally blind boy who also featured in the documentary was reported to have recovered almost perfect vision as a result of the therapy as well. While she is severely handicapped, there have been some reportedly good results from stem cell therapy.</p> <p>Who wouldn’t try the therapy just on the off-chance it will work, even if it has been disclaimed by mainstream medical authorities and experts? If I was in the same situation as Jaide’s family, I’m sure I would be pushing to try this treatment and becoming involved in various fundraising schemes to get my granddaughter to Mexico as well. Kiaora.</p> <p>Acknowledgements: Kay Blundell, Dompost, Wellington, NZ.</p> <p><a href="http://www.huttriverofnz.today.com">http://www.huttriverofnz.today.com</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/05/10/to-mexico-with-love-a-date-with-a-miracle-cure-6089268/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-04-30:/2009/04/30/ozone-hole-could-be-holding-back-antarctic-thaw-6032999/huttriver2009-04-30T05:18:23+02:002009-04-30T05:19:02+02:00 <p>The Ozone hole in the Southern Pacific area encompassing New Zealand and Australia, long blamed for increased skin cancers in these countries, could actually be holding back an Antarctic thaw, according to British research.</p> <p>This reduces the effects of greenhouse gases in the southern ocean. It is causing more storms and extreme winds, but cooling down the Antarctic in the process.</p> <p>But here is a dilemma for humankind - repair the Ozone hole, or let nature do the job for them over the next fifty years, but with the side effect of losing one third of sea ice in the Antarctic area.</p> <p>Please visit the Green Planet Blog:</p> <p><a href="http://worldofcae.blogspot.com">http://worldofcae.blogspot.com</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/04/30/ozone-hole-could-be-holding-back-antarctic-thaw-6032999/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-04-21:/2009/04/21/god-and-agency-in-the-mind-5984433/huttriver2009-04-21T22:02:15+02:002009-04-21T22:02:15+02:00 <p> God and Agency in the Mind:</p> <p>An interesting article on why religion may be a byproduct of the way our brain attributes agency to objects and persons, starting very early in childhood:</p> <p>So how does the brain conjure up gods? One of the key factors, says Bloom, is the fact that our brains have separate cognitive systems for dealing with living things - things with minds, or at least volition - and inanimate objects.</p> <p>This separation happens very early in life. Bloom and colleagues have shown that babies as young as five months make a distinction between inanimate objects and people. Shown a box moving in a stop-start way, babies show surprise. But a person moving in the same way elicits no surprise. To babies, objects ought to obey the laws of physics and move in a predictable way. People, on the other hand, have their own intentions and goals, and move however they choose.</p> <p>Bloom says the two systems are autonomous, leaving us with two viewpoints on the world: one that deals with minds, and one that handles physical aspects of the world. He calls this innate assumption that mind and matter are distinct "common-sense dualism". The body is for physical processes, like eating and moving, while the mind carries our consciousness in a separate - and separable - package. "We very naturally accept you can leave your body in a dream, or in astral projection or some sort of magic," Bloom says. "These are universal views."</p> <p>There is plenty of evidence that thinking about disembodied minds comes naturally. People readily form relationships with non-existent others: roughly half of all 4-year-olds have had an imaginary friend, and adults often form and maintain relationships with dead relatives, fictional characters and fantasy partners. As Barrett points out, this is an evolutionarily useful skill. Without it we would be unable to maintain large social hierarchies and alliances or anticipate what an unseen enemy might be planning. "Requiring a body around to think about its mind would be a great liability," he says.</p> <p>This leads to beliefs that the world is constructed "for" agents with minds:</p> <p>Again, experiments on young children reveal this default state of the mind. Children as young as three readily attribute design and purpose to inanimate objects. When Deborah Kelemen of the University of Arizona in Tucson asked 7 and 8-year-old children questions about inanimate objects and animals, she found that most believed they were created for a specific purpose. Pointy rocks are there for animals to scratch themselves on. Birds exist "to make nice music", while rivers exist so boats have something to float on. "It was extraordinary to hear children saying that things like mountains and clouds were 'for' a purpose and appearing highly resistant to any counter-suggestion," says Kelemen.</p> <p><a href="http://blogevolve.com/blog/huttriver12">http://blogevolve.com/blog/huttriver12</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/04/21/god-and-agency-in-the-mind-5984433/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-04-04:/2009/04/04/big-brother-is-alive-and-well-trawling-social-network-sites-5886538/huttriver2009-04-04T03:27:10+02:002009-04-04T03:27:10+02:00 <p>Big Brother is alive and well, and trawling social network sites... </p> <p>I was just reading a weekend paper here in Wellington, New Zealand, where an article reveals how "Big Brother" is alive and kicking and trawling social network sites to gain possible information on their members.</p> <p>The article discussed how NZ government departments are trawling these sites for information that can be used against people on social welfare benefits for fraud purposes. One woman had been caught, redhanded you might say, because she admitted a relationship on the social networking site, and the department took a fraud case against her.</p> <p>Even employers are in on the act looking for information to use against employees: In one case an employee was caught bragging on the site that he was taking a "sickie" from work because he still had a massive hangover.</p> <p>If this is happening in a little country like NZ, just imagine on what scale it is being used in larger countries like Australia, Britain or in North America and Europe?</p> <p>In my opinion they are just a pathetic and despicable bunch of Sebastians! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/04/04/big-brother-is-alive-and-well-trawling-social-network-sites-5886538/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-03-23:/2009/03/23/whatdo-you-think-of-those-despicable-islamic-honour-killings-5812034/huttriver2009-03-23T08:18:30+01:002009-03-23T08:18:30+01:00 <p> What do you think of those despicable Islamic honour killings?</p> <p>Jordanian officials stated a man beat his 19 year old daughter to death with his son's help, because she wore makeup outside the house and spoke to a strange man.</p> <p>The father took his daughter to hospital and admitted his guilt - saying he had to cleanse the family honour. What honour would that excuse for a family have?</p> <p>The more I read about such things concerning Islamics, the more I want to vomit!</p> <p>Some would excuse Islam from these animal acts, saying it was just part of the local culture, the way North Africans treat their women and female relatives - but do you ever read about criticism of such acts by Islamic leaders? No way, Jose!</p> <p>The guilty should be beheaded with an Islamic sword? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/03/23/whatdo-you-think-of-those-despicable-islamic-honour-killings-5812034/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-03-17:/2009/03/17/a-tsunami-could-have-been-resonsible-for-britain-s-worst-ever-natural-disaster-5770133/huttriver2009-03-17T01:17:49+01:002009-03-17T01:17:49+01:00 <p>A tsunami could have been responsible for Britains greatest natural disaster...</p> <p>A tsunami in the Bristol Channel off the English coast could have caused 2000 deaths in Britain's greatest natural disaster. For centuries it was thought the 'great flood' of Jan 1607 was caused by high tides and floods.</p> <p>It was estimated that 200sq miles(520 sq km) of land in south Wales and SW England were covered in water.</p> <p>Now two climate experts have come forward and argued in favour of the tsunami theory.</p> <p>It is not only the pacific and asia where tsunamis are present.</p> <p><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4397679.stm">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4397679.stm</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/03/17/a-tsunami-could-have-been-resonsible-for-britain-s-worst-ever-natural-disaster-5770133/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-03-05:/2009/03/05/clean-and-green-new-zealand-wind-power-wind-turbines-and-wind-farms-5696058/huttriver2009-03-05T03:12:41+01:002009-03-05T03:12:41+01:00 <p>Clean and green New Zealand wind power - wind turbines and wind farms...</p> <p>First published at Qassia:</p> <p>Wind power - wind turbines and wind power. What better product can be produced in our own countries, than pure, unadulterated wind energy? The answer is, of course, none! </p> <p>China now, and Japan all those decades ago, could copy and produce just about anything - a variety of products, machines and mechanical tools, musical equipment, computers, motor vehicles, boats and planes, clothing and accessories - and food too! </p> <p>But pure, clean and green, unadulterated New Zealand wind power can never be emulated by China or anybody else for that matter. They may create or buy a New Zealand company to generate windpower here, but it will always be "New Zealand" energy. We will always be buying New Zealand energy products. </p> <p>Wind power is undoubtably the energy of the future in New Zealand, with its mountainous and hilly terrain, and its reasonable closeness to coastal areas and wind and sea currents. And the sea too, is another enegy alternative - using the power of the sea and tidal currents to generate electricity. </p> <p>In New Zealand the modern wind turbine is a far cry from the old windmills associated with countries like Holland and the other low countries, in ages past. The modern symmetrical and clean lines of the modern wind turbine are appearing in clusters of "wind farms" up and down the country, with many applications to planning committees to create even more of these wind turbine generators. </p> <p>The majority of New Zealand power is generated in our rivers by hydro electric plants, supplemented by coal fired turbines, geothermal plants, solar energy, wind turbines; and the futuristically planned tidal generators off the coast of the country. </p> <p>Nuclear energy has never been considered as an option in a country that has actually had a proud and determined anti- nuclear policy for just on a quarter of a century. </p> <p>What could you expect, I wonder, in another quarter of a century; urban houses with rows of solar panels and a small wind turbine or two attached to their chimneys? </p> <p>In rural towns and on hundreds of farms around the country rows of solar panels and a small windfarm could be utilised to make them self sufficient in energy. Perhaps in time the bulk of our hydro electric and coal fired plants could be used for industry, schools, universities and hospitals - all of which could have some form of alternative energy generators as well. </p> <p>Wherever, and however, this energy will be clean and green, pure unadulterated New Zealand energy that cannot be emulated anywhere else on the globe. We will buy New Zealand without a doubt!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/03/05/clean-and-green-new-zealand-wind-power-wind-turbines-and-wind-farms-5696058/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-02-26:/2009/02/26/aussie-was-settled-by-convicts-they-say-but-5651501/huttriver2009-02-26T05:19:23+01:002009-02-26T05:19:23+01:00 <p>Aussie was settled by convicts they say but...their descendants leave a lot to be desired!</p> <p>A bumbling, bungling would be car thief was arrested by South Australian police in Adelaide when he accidently locked himself in the stolen car and couldn't get out!</p> <p>When the local cops arrived after being called to a house they found the man hiding inside the car he wanted to thieve. Crime doesn't pay here. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/02/26/aussie-was-settled-by-convicts-they-say-but-5651501/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-02-16:/2009/02/16/kiwi-firefighters-have-arrived-in-victoria-australia-and-have-been-rushed-into-work-5582880/huttriver2009-02-16T06:35:11+01:002009-02-16T06:38:23+01:00 <p>Over 50 Kiwi firefighters have arrived in Victoria, Australia and have been rushed into work  doing backburning in the high country; their job is involved in using tools not hoses and water to ensure the fires don't spread.</p> <p>The Kiwis will do a 20 day tour of duty and then will be replaced by another team immediately. Other international firefighters are also heading for Australia.</p> <p>Many Kiwis were involved in fighting  Victorian bushfires in 2007, eleven being involved in a flash fire which hospitalised a number. Some will be in this present team. They regard 2007 as being a learning curve for them because we do not get such fires on a regular basis in NZ.</p> <p>The spirit of Anzac remains! In NZ we are acutely aware that in such an earthquake prone country a catastrophe is inevitable some time in the future, and we will need immediate help from our Aussie cousins who can be there in a few hours or more.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/02/16/kiwi-firefighters-have-arrived-in-victoria-australia-and-have-been-rushed-into-work-5582880/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-02-08:/2009/02/08/not-such-a-great-party-for-nz-at-wellington-sevens-5528297/huttriver2009-02-08T02:50:12+01:002009-02-16T06:39:41+01:00 <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/02/08/not-such-a-great-party-for-nz-at-wellington-sevens-5528297/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-02-04:/2009/02/04/if-you-are-an-affiliate-this-might-interest-you-5503241/huttriver2009-02-04T03:40:02+01:002009-02-04T03:40:02+01:00 <p>If you are an affiliate this might interest you!</p> <p>This is claimed to be a revolutionary new advertising service. It won't cost you anything to check out, sign-up or consider. Just use the link provided. Have a great day!</p> <p>Gateway2Hits</p> <p><a href="http://gateway2hits.com/default.php?id=12469">http://gateway2hits.com/default.php?id=12469</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/02/04/if-you-are-an-affiliate-this-might-interest-you-5503241/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-01-31:/2009/02/01/you-are-never-too-old-to-cut-the-mustard-5483619/huttriver2009-02-01T00:09:55+01:002009-02-01T00:09:55+01:00 <p> You are never too old to cut the mustard...</p> <p>First published at Qassia;</p> <p>You are never too old to cut the mustard - never too old for love.</p> <p>Oldies relish online romance too! </p> <p>They say that because you are getting older, it doesn't mean you have lost your appetite for online romance, cybersex or even cyber-cheating. </p> <p>These are the early findings of a study from doctoral student, Sue Malta of Swinburne University in Australia, who has been studying the nature of the romantic internet relationships of 50 people aged between 61 and 86. No reason was given for that particular age group. </p> <p>All the study subjects are in romantic relationships that began online and described as meaningful, intimate and longlasting. "The research is reportedly being conducted to test two prevailing stereotypes that older people don't use computers and don't have intimate relationships," said Sue Malta, and also "to look at how online relationships in this age range are being formed." </p> <p>The results of this research will certainly being most interesting. You are never too old to cut the mustard! </p> <p>RD</p> <p><a href="http://peter-petterson.blogspot.com">http://peter-petterson.blogspot.com</a> "Down by the HuttRiver"</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/02/01/you-are-never-too-old-to-cut-the-mustard-5483619/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-01-20:/2009/01/21/new-us-president-barack-obama-inaugurated-this-morning-nz-time-5415534/huttriver2009-01-21T00:19:20+01:002009-01-21T00:19:20+01:00 <p> New US president Barack Obama was inaugurated this morning NZ time...</p> <p> New US president, Barack Obama, was inaugurated this morning, New Zealand time. The future of America and the West, and the rest of the world as well, will be influenced by his future policies, actions and his leadership.</p> <p>He has given America a new start after eight negative years of the George W Bush administration. After 200 years all American citizens can say, "We have a future, now!"</p> <p>It will not be easy for President Barack Obama or for America itself. The economic problems that beset the world, as well as America, are a huge task on their own, let alone those concerning leadership, existing military conflicts and America's future role in world affairs.</p> <p>The West needs a strong America in every way. The smaller nations need to look at America and feel secure about their future. Radical Islam needs to be given a strong message that they should not continue their negative policies and actions of the past or they will get it where the chicken got the axe!</p> <p>There is much for President Obama and America to do. They must rebuild America! The Western world awaits and will offer their support where it's needed.</p> <p><a href="http://xomba.com/user/huttriver">http://xomba.com/user/huttriver</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/01/21/new-us-president-barack-obama-inaugurated-this-morning-nz-time-5415534/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-01-19:/2009/01/19/a-nz-woman-thought-she-was-still-married-but-was-she-5403294/huttriver2009-01-19T01:40:04+01:002009-01-19T01:40:04+01:00 <p><img src="/img/smilies/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" class="middle" border="0">A New Zealand woman thought she was still married, but...was she? </p> <p>A Levin, North Island, man forged his estranged wife's details for a divorce she knew nothing about. He pleaded guilty in the Levin District Court to giving a false oath more than two years ago. </p> <p>The man and his wife seperated in September 2002. Four years later he sought a divorce, but failed to tell her. The Judge told him he was supposed to serve his wife the dissolution forms. New Zealand does not have an actual divorce procedure any more, but dissolution of marriage after two years living apart. </p> <p>She only discovered the divorce when she went to file a marriage dissolution on her own accord. In similar forgery cases peole had been sent to prison, the judge told him. </p> <p>But because it was his first dishonesty offence the judge was prepared to show him some mercy. Instead of imprisonment he received 125 community service; he could have received up to 200 hours. </p> <p>Outside of court the man said the divorce had finally been approved, and he was moving on with his life. He made no mention of his former wife and how badly he had treated her. His new partner and stepdaughter were present in the court. </p> <p>Acknowledgement to Manawatu Standard:</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/01/19/a-nz-woman-thought-she-was-still-married-but-was-she-5403294/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>tag:huttriver.blog.co.uk,2009-01-03:/2009/01/03/a-little-blue-pill-for-the-afghan-warlord-5314845/huttriver2009-01-03T06:14:15+01:002009-01-03T06:14:15+01:00 <p> A little blue pill for the Afghan warlord...</p> <p>First published at Qassia:</p> <p>While the CIA has reportedly a long reputation in winning over fickle Afghan warlords, chieftains and other leaders with the usual variety of inducements: food, pocket knives, tools, mirrors, medicine and surgeries for family members, toys and school equipment, tooth extractions and, even pharmaceutical enhancement for an ailing patriarch with a limp libido - there is always the little blue Viagra pill! </p> <p>In recent times an aging chieftain reportedly appearing even older than his 60 plus years, with a very well used look and bearded face of a tribal patriarch and husband to four much younger women, gave a regional CIA officer the opportunity to glean some vital local information regarding the possible whereabouts of Taleban, drug dealers, and agents infiltrating from Iran. </p> <p>On returning to the area four days the CIA man gained the required information from a now fully rejuvenated patriarch who looked like he was literally jumping out of his skin, and also a request for more of those little blue pills! The newest weapon in the CIA arsenal?</p> <p>This is not a paid advertisement!</p> <p><a href="http://huttriver8.blogspot.com">http://huttriver8.blogspot.com</a></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://huttriver.blog.co.uk/2009/01/03/a-little-blue-pill-for-the-afghan-warlord-5314845/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>