Kids these days

Apparently more than half kids who start school cannot count to 20, do not know the alphabet, cannot hold a pencil correctly, cannot write their own name or recognise colours. A quarter cannot tell the difference between a number and a letter. Given my daughter - who can do all the above with ease - counted to 130 today before she got bored, it looks like she’ll do well at school once she turns five then.

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Do you think a person who is taken to court for drunk driving should be let off if they say they were drinking coke?

Updated
Most people understand the above question and will say that a person should not be let off for drunk driving if they say they were drinking coke.

This survey, released by Barnardos, asks kids what researchers think is a similar question, in th hope that most people will give a no answer. Do you think adults who are taken to court for hitting a child should be let off if they say they were disciplining the child? The kid had to make up his or her own mind whether the question implied an excuse for abuse, or whether they think the question meant that the person was conducting reasonable discipline but was charged with assault of a kind that should attract sanctions.In short, bad question that unlike the drinking question, can be interpreted in multiple ways.

If they were disciplining someone else's child they never had a legal defence before the old section 59 law.If they were not disciplining at all they shouldn't be either. Nearly 52 percent of kids who were asked that question thought parents should not be let off. Fair enough. They probably didn't see it as a physical discipline implication without probing, which was probably the intention of the interviewers.

But in an attempt to twist the research further, they took comments from 0.6 percent of callers, who expressed a range of opinions. Those writing up the survey results did not specify the proportion of the 48, who thought hitting parents should not be let off court charges and those who should be. They asked questioned about whether kids thought they should be hit and reported them as to whether kids thought they should be disciplined. They reported that some kids explicitly said that some parents who hit children should themselves be disciplined. Note the language. No examples were given. Perhaps there weren't any and they made it up.

One kid answered the question and then tried to turn the question around to the discipline angle. She was then asked if she thought it was OK to smack. She said yes.Then the leading questions started. The surveyor said, what if something (perhaps a weapon?) was used to smack the kids with - was that okay? The child refused to answer that question so the interviewer then asked what she thought of smacks that cause bruises. The child wasn't happy about bruises. If she was happy about bruises one wondered what the next question would have been - a punch in the head? I guess she was one of the 52% recorded as believing adults should not be let off in court for hitting kids - even though she was OK with parental smacking.

One wonders why these surveys are actually done. They are unreliable, unrepresentative, and invalid. Pointless. One wonders why they go to all this bother to hook up kids, solicit them, and treat them like research prostitutes for political purposes.

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CYF boss apologies after parents go public - not for wrongdoing, but because those his department hassled were "upset".

A parent tells how he smacked his child

"I grabbed hold of her ankle and smacked her bottom" Two of his fingers went above the line of her belt, leaving red marks on her back.The smack worked. She stopped kicking and was soon apologetic.But the mental health service was about to give her a full medical examination. Lisa told a nurse about the red marks and the smack.A few days later, at 3pm on a Friday, CYFS staff rang. They had received a claim of abuse and they wanted the children out of the house while they investigated.

The question is, was CYFS right in doing that. How did it know the red marks were caused by a smack?

It didn't.

The social worker described the situation at the time as "critical". Family First has this case up on its website - ['case 5] noting that the family were interviewed by the police for for five hours. The kids were removed, even though she was told that the marks were caused by the child falling on a vaccuum cleaner. On the Monday, CYFS spoke to the older daughter at school to find out how abusive her parents were and left her in tears. One wondered why they didn't speak to her on the Friday before she was told to get alternative accomodation.

But it took involvement from the media to get an apology from CYFS bosses. CYFS boss Ray Smith said CYFS could have done a better job of talking through other options". Like hell they could have. He didn't say what those other options might entail.

"I want to stress that removing children from a home is a last resort and that is not what happened in this case... I am sorry that the girls were upset and unsettled by our involvement with their family. I acknowledge that, in this case, we could have given [the parents] better advice on how to explain to their children what was happening." He said the parents were "good parents", but the agency had been "asked to get involved simply to see whether a family that appeared to be struggling needed our help".

What a load of crap. That is an outright lie. The parent said that the agency got involved not to offer help but to investigate the allegation of abuse and kick the children out as a first resort after a complaint, thus interfering with the lives of good Kiwi parents. Then he has the audacity to say in a column today that:

This does not mean that CYFS is interfering in the lives of good Kiwi parents.

But he has admitted CYFS did just that in the above case. The parents had no option but to accede to CYFS demands.

Since when is CYFS there to "help" parents on how to "explain what was happening" when they don't even listen to explanations as to what did happen?

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How the referendum question should be interpreted

"Do I want to go to jail if I smack as part of good parental correction in New Zealand?"

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Lobbying on the training incentive allowance

Trudy Basire is a frequenter of the TradeMe message boards frequented by Natasha Fuller, who gets $715 as a beneficiary. Basire is leading the campaign to reinstate full access to the Training Incentive Allowance (TIA). Although Fuller is one Basire's Facebook friends, Fuller has "removed herself from public discussion" in the campaign according to this media release on the campaign website.

However it is good to see that Jennifer Johnston - the other beneficiary mentioned on this blog - has been constructive in her suggestions in discussions with the Minister. Such an approach can only lead to better outcomes.

Listen to her here on checkpoint . She has some good suggestions.

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‘Life Partner’ is a comedy based on love and marriage

Produced by Abbas Mastaan and directed by Rumy Jaffrey, the forthcoming flick ‘Life Partner’ is all about love and marriage. The film stars Govinda, Fardeen Khan, Genelia D’Souza, Tusshar Kapoor, and Prachi Desai. The music for the film is by Pritam and the lyrics have been penned down by Javed Akhtar.

‘Life Partner’ is about the struggle in marriage where Karan (Fardeen Khan) and Sanjana (Genelia D’Souza) go in for love marriage and Bhavesh (Tusshar Kapoor), and his life partner, Prachi (Prachi Desai) struggle to make their arranged marriage successful.

Govinda plays Jeet who is an accomplished divorce lawyer who does not believe in the institution of marriage and is often responsible for his getting his clients divorced. The movie promises to give a rib tickling three hour entertainment.

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Get geared up for the desi version of ‘Hangover’

The recent Hollywood flick ‘Hangover’ was a bit hit and the story of the film involved four guys who attend a 24 hour stag party in LA. When they wake up they realize that the groom has gone missing and this happens to be the worst hangover of their life.

Now, the flick will be made in Hindi by Firoz Nadiadwala who has bought the rights of the movie for its desi version. The movie will be directed by Anees Bazmee. Abhishek Bachchan will play the role played by Bradley Cooper and Paresh Rawal will enact the character played by Zach Galifianakis. Katrina Kaif will play the role of the fiancée. The film will start early next year in the locales of South Africa.

Riteish Deshmukh and Sanjay Dutt are also being considered for the roles. Firoz will start on the script as soon as he wraps up ‘No Problem’.

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The smacking debate on Campbell Live

Campbell Live had an excellent programme on the smacking debate tonight. You can watch it here. Anton Blank (Te Kahui Mana Ririki) and Murray Edridge (Barnardos) represented The Yes Vote, and Sheryll Savill and Bob McCoskrie spoke for the Vote No lobby.

Everyone put their point across well. It was a well balanced progamme.

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I support an allowance as an incentive for training

In the past day or two I have written about people on benefits who want an allowance from the Government to undertake tertiary training. It may appear from those posts that I do not support assistance for training purposes.

This is not the case. I support the retention of the training incentive allowance (TIA) with some amendments. The Massey University Extramural Students' Society said this in a recent media release:

National’s cutting of the Training Incentive Allowance will hit those who are motivated to improve their lives. Midwives, nurses and teachers are among the professions that solo mothers will struggle to afford training in. The TIA paid for up to $3,862.00 of actual course costs per year. Without this support many once-eligible students will not be able to make ends meet. Childcare becomes unaffordable if all spare cash is spent on course fees so potential success stories become shattered dreams

The key thing is that students should undertake study to improve their lives, and the allowance should be an incentive to do that. The recent case where a dpb recipient was doing just three papers a year on the TIA is hardly going to improve her life in the short term. A three year degree would take eight years to complete, a four year one even longer.

The problem is that, for those studying part time - meaning fewer than five or six papers - the TIA is treated like a beefed up allowance for course - and books - and childcare costs, when it should be treated like a student allowance for course and book costs only, for dpb, invalids and widows beneficiaries. No students can get the taxed student allowance if they do fewer than six papers in the two semesters. Nearly all students who do not work do more than six papers a year and collect the allowance. Those with kids can get a small WINZ childcare subsidy if they are not entitled to 20 hours free. But under the non-taxed TIA, you can do fewer papers and get the full allowance as well as a benefit, and use the balance over course costs for whatever you want to, as it is paid into your bank account much the same way as the money for additional course costs is with a normal student allowance. Some keep the money and get friends to mind kids or study at night so they can afford to get CDs or other consumables. If costs are over the allowance, you can borrow to pay for the balance with an interest -free student loan.

Personally I can't see, instead of canning the TIA, why the allowance can't be for those who take perhaps a mandatory number of papers, with perhaps an abated rate for those who take fewer. This would encourage beneficiaries to complete their qualifications at a faster rate and discourage slackers, while taking account of the fact that, as a sole parent, a primary responsibility is the care of their children. Some courses require block training and field work so I'd support 20 hours free being available for students on the TIA - not just 3-4 year olds - for these block courses and field work. After all, if they were able to apply for a childcare subsidy from WINZ - [can they?] - they'd get roughly the same amount.

Thoughts?

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TEAM HONDA STAR AT MANFIELD

Press Release: Team Honda Star at Actrix Series

Team Honda Racing’s road race squad were more than happy with their results at the third round of the Victoria Motorcycle Club’s Actrix Winter Series, last Saturday (July 25) at Manfeild Raceway, Feilding.

The weather was kinder than it had been at previous rounds; the day started looking like the sun was going to shine, but things cooled off as the day wore on.

New Plymouth’s Hayden Fitzgerald took his Team Honda Racing-Castrol CBR1000RR to a win and a third in the combined F1 Superbike class and a victory in the Superbike only race.
Feilding’s Craig Shirriffs took his Team Honda Racing - Red Black Beauty, to a win and a second in the combined F1 Superbike class, then finished third in the Superbike only race.

The race team are using the Winter Series to continue their development of the CBR1000RR and have been trying different suspension settings as the team searches for improvements for faster lap times.

‘’Our development is going well” said Fitzgerald from his New Plymouth base this week, “It was great to come away with the win for the day,” he added.

"Hayden and I had a pretty good day on Saturday with Honda finishing 1st and 2nd overall in F1. "We both tried a new rear suspension" added Shirriffs.

Both riders are looking forward to Round 4 which will take place 22 August at Manfeild Raceway, Feilding.

Provisional Results
Round Three Actrix 2009 Winter Series
Manfeild Raceway 25 July 2009.

Superbikes only:
Hayden Fitzgerald (New Plymouth) Honda, 1; Sloan Frost (Auckland) Suzuki, 2; Craig Shirriffs (Feilding) Honda 3.

Combined F1 Superbikes:
Race One:
1, Shirriffs; 2, Frost; 3, Fitzgerald.

Race Two:
1, Fitzgerald; 2, Shirriffs; 3, Frost.

More about → TEAM HONDA STAR AT MANFIELD

Natasha Fuller admits she may have been getting WINZ payments she was not entitled to

post is updated
Natasha Fuller is the gift that keeps on giving. This is the latest in a series of five posts on the women who protested National's decision to can the training incentive allowance relating to degree courses.

Fuller gets $715 per week from WINZ to surf the Internet and buy consumables but can't afford to study,had access to her partners bank account, and apparently posts under three four different names on message boards. One, bee35, from a mates place, where she says on 5 Jan this year, just after she broke up with her partner and used his money - via a credit card to pay for a rented place without his knowledge.

ok used his credit card and got myself into a rental he is going to spit tacks....We have lived together for 4 years but in that house 3.i do have mail cause at the start i had to get a benifit for awhile as he would not support me and my children and i spent more time in hospital than home so could not work, i no its wrong but i didn't no what to do it was for 3 months.

Terrible spelling aside, this looks like an admission of wrongdoing - or a lie in an attempt to get 50% of his stuff after a break-up.

Work and Income should be interested in this. I'm not saying that she was defrauding WINZ, but they could raise a debt if it could be shown that he was supporting her to a degree while she received state support, given her other admissions that he paid the mortgage and main bills, and her apparent ability to access his money via a credit card. She would have got Working for Families for the kids if IRD was unaware of her partners apparent high income. Even if she was living with her partner for three years only it means that she appears to be working on her business thanks to a 10K WINZ grant during that time. Would she be entitled to that grant? Furthermore, it was the same time as Labour revealed her income in Parliament.

No wonder Fuller doesn't want to speak to the minister. Something stinks. Her story is hardly consistent. Perhaps she's got something to hide?

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Why couldn't Jennifer Johnston go to SIT - they have no fees

Jennifer Johnston wants to be a nurse and is moaning she can't get a training incentive allowance. She lives in Invercargill and started training two year's ago.

Jennifer is passing with an A-average and was expecting to embark on the nursing degree next year. But with the allowance discontinued and childcare, course materials, uniforms, transport and other costs not covered by a student loan, Jennifer has no idea if she can continue.

Some may not know that the Southern Institute of Technology in Invercargill now has a zero fees scheme. Is there any reason, given that she lives in Invercargill, why Jennifer Johnston cannot go to SIT and study a batchelor of nursing there, and get a child care subsidy and an interest free loan for books and transport costs?

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Labour's hypocrisy

Nobody has seemed to have pointed out the hypocrisy of Labour going to the Privacy Commissioner because National released details of the income of two beneficiaries on the Domestic Purposes Benefit. Turns out that Labour - well David Benson-Pope - did exactly the same thing in April 2007, when he detailed the benefits Ms Fuller was receiving and compared them with the pittance she would have received under Nationals tax cuts.The story was on Prime News tonight.

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Claims that Fuller was getting WINZ assistance illegally

Natasha Fuller is the beneficiary who is getting $715.00 a week on the dpb to spend most of her day on message boards complaining she cant get the Training Incentive Allowance, despite boasting as being a fully trained private investigator..

She posts as the happy hocker – surely a spelling mistake – on message boards, as well as justyns.

There are claims on the message boards that Fuller was unlawfully collecting a benefit while living with her partner. If so, she should be taken to task for it because she would not have been entitled to it. Her high income partner didn’t give her much money. It is claimed that Fuller was on the benefit while living with her partner. I have not been able to verify that claim, as WINZ won't tell me (I didn't ask either). She got pregnant in June 2007, around about the time she was described as a sole mother who used a WINZ enterprise allowance to run a small business that failed. She also allegedly got a 10K WINZ grant to buy a car and have it signwritten for her business before crashing it and getting another one.

In addition she was given $200 a week to buy food when she lived with a partner. Her partner [ whom you can see here just before they split up ] paid for the mortgage because it was under his and his mums name. Now Fuller says she is “ over men so over being hurt and have decided that u just can’t beat a good vibrator:)”

One poster warned

You have stated on the forum board that you have been living with someone and collecting DPB, that is FRAUD. All of us that are paying taxes are paying for you to live the high life and boast about it.

She told the media she got $400 hair extensions around three months after her daughter was born. Apprently her daughter was born 3 February 2008. But on 4 February 2009, on a message board where she writes up to 10 messages a day, she said she had hair extensions for more than a year - if so, she may have been pregnant when she got the extensions.

Fuller says her partner left in December 2008 and that was when she said she applied for the dpb again. She says she doesn't want to work more than 20 hours. That’s because she may lose the benefit and the In Work Payment is less than the benefit, and you can't get both.

You can see Fuller on You Tube right here living the high life doing karaoke. She’s drunk. On her Facebook site she gloats that she spent more than $200 on CDs last month.

It is clear that on the dpb you can get up to $1000 a week: Domestic purposes benefit of $272,an accommodation supplement of $225 – ( Fuller gets $110 and a disability allowance of around $35 a week) , tax credits of $200, childcare assistance of up to $181 for one child, and out-of-school care and recreation assistance of $72 a week.

Fuller doesn’t deserve a training incentive allowance. But she should be able to lobby on government policies without ministerial meddling. However Labour shouldn't moan about it as it released Fuller's benefit details in Parliament in 2007. Hypocrites. **Further updates here**

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I have no sympathy for rich beneficiaries who lose their Training Incentive Allowance

post has been updated
I do have a problem with Social Development minister Paula Bennett releasing private details of beneficiaries to a newspaper purely because they criticised National’s policy to remove the Training Incentive Allowance (TIA) for those who are taking graduate courses. Bennett said she looked at the Privacy Commissioners website for guidance on whether to release private information. Perhaps the first time she looked at that website was shortly after 11:24am yesterday. She obviously didn’t look at the Cabinet Manual.

Mind you I also have a problem with a beneficiary Natasha Fuller who has three kids and more weekly income than our entire family. She has enough to pay for hair extensions ( which she may or may not have got when getting state assistance) but moans about how she can’t afford to study without the TIA. I am also a student with three other mouths to feed and I can’t afford $400.00 for hair extensions. But unlike Fuller I probably get 5-6 hours sleep a night and spend more hours studying than she does because I do a lot of it when the kids are school or asleep.

Natasha Fuller criticised National for removing the Training Incentive Allowance from degree courses, adding that National wanted people like her to aspire to working in a supermarket. Except that she is a trained private investigator and has done a small business course. Perhaps people working in supermarkets would aspire to be in her situation. The never-married Fuller has three kids to two different men and has been on and off the dpb for about three years. She currently gets $715.00 per week – way more than those on the average wage - but that does not include child support or any money from IRD – or food grants. I was told by the NZ Herald that the income probably doesn’t include Working for Families, either. That's questionable. So if you are working for 40 hours a week and you get less than $17.88 an hour, you are worse off than Fuller, and she doesn't even work. Fuller should go and get a partner called Bill S*it and link up surnames – Fuller-s*it.

And this from Jennifer Johnston, whose details were also made public.

But with the allowance discontinued and childcare, course materials, uniforms, transport and other costs not covered by a student loan, Jennifer has no idea if she can continue.

She can do what other people do. Go off the benefit, onto a student allowance, study a full year instead of just three papers, get a student loan for course costs, borrow $1000 for course related expenses like books, transport, and computer gear, get a grant from WINZ for second hand school uniforms. And get a part time job, and a childcare subsidy from WINZ.

Why should student allowances be taxed, whereas TIA’s are not? The only reason a university student is on the dpb is to save up to $3620 on course costs every year - and study part time to ensure course costs aren't over the allowance amount each year - and to live in the manner to which they are accustomed to. Why should they when others get student allowances?

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Kareena in a neta avtar in her next

For Kareena Kapoor playing a female politician for Sudhir Mishra’s Dhruv won’t be the same as Katrina playing the politician in Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti where the director has dressed her up in severe cotton and khadi to look the part.


But Sudhir feels the khadi-dressed politician is obsolete and also unwarranted. “That stereotypical look goes against the young dynamic honest and incorruptible image of the new Indian politician. Kareena in Dhruv will be dressed how you’d expect a beautiful and glamorous people’s representative to be. Look at today’s young smart politicians. They wear what they’re comfortable in.”

Apparently the three generations of Gandhi women Indira, Sonia and Priyanka are being taken into sartorial consideration to model Kareena’s natty neta’s look.

Says Sudhir, “If you remember Kareena’s printed-sari look for Chameli was a craze. I feel Kareena’s politician’s look will also be a craze.”


Reacting to Pritish Nandy’s great sense of betrayal over the apparent translocation of the Devdas script from Pritish Nandy Communications to Excel Films Sudhir says, “All I’ll say is, Mr Nandy is like my elder brother. And if my brother is angry with me I apologize.”

Sudhir has offered to make another film for PNC is lieu of the Devdas project. “We’re yet to work out the details. But the offer is unconditional. Any time he wants me to I’ll make a film for him.”

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Beware girls! Shahid Kapoor gets dangerous this season!

With ‘Kaminey’ about to hit the screens, Shahid Kapoor seems to be everywhere at the moment. Also the dangerous and negative look that he portrays in this film has given an all new push to his career because all those who have seen promos of this film have liked the new image of this chocolate boy.

However, this dangerously handsome boy seems to be quite down to eart when it comes to showing respect and adoration to others and this incident proves so. Shahid recently organised a sudden press meet for ‘Kaminey’ in his vanity van. As the journalists poured in large numbers, there was hardly any place left in the van. There was a chair reserved inside the van for Shahid in advance, but Shahid, seeing the scarcity of space, offered his chair to an elderly journalist and himself sat on the floor instead. He even requested other young people to offer their chairs to the elders and sit on the floor.

Now, this handsome hunk with commendable mannerisms comes with a dangerous tag on the covers of ‘Filmfare’ this month. Check out dangerous Shahid oozing loads of appeal on the glossy covers of ‘Filmfare’!!

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Natasha Takia to step into Bollywood

With Ayesha Takia getting married off, there is a gap in the tinsel town for a cute babydoll actress. Now, the sister of Ayesha, Natasha Takia, is all geared up to make a space for herself in Bollywood. She has recently released a hot, sizzling yet cute photoshoot of hers and talks to A Gnaesh Nadar about her career plans. Though she has not yet bagged in any offers, but this 21-year-old girl has already sent the message that she is ready to get going. All she is waiting for is a promising role and a promising producer to give a knock at her doors. Is anyone interested out there?

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HARLEY & BUELL WEBSITES UPDATED

Harley & Buell have their 2010 model ranges online now.

Both sites have added a degree of functionality and some funky features.
Causing some early Big Dave drooling are the XR1200X in a great looking Matte black.

Also getting the black heart treatment is the Fat Boy Lo.

Nothing new on the model front from Buell apart from some new colours. They are also featuring a fairing lowers kit that gives the 1125R a more conventional appearance.



Details are at www.h-d.com & www.buell.com

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McCoskrie and Savill on Q+A today

Bob McCoskrie, and Sheryl Savill in particular, did pretty well against Paul Holmes on Q + A today. You can see both the interview and the transcript here. I wish TVNZ would start spelling their guests' names correctly, his name is not McCroskie, its McCoskrie, and her name is not Cheryl, it's Sheryl Savill.

The interview clearly spells out their position on corrective discipline. Both clearly do not believe that parents have the right to smack their kids. They simply believe parents should have the option of whether to use that light corrective smack in certain circumstances without it being considered criminal.

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Herald poll reveals parents are afraid to admit to smacking kids

The Herald has done a poll on how often people smack their kids. They interviewed parents of four year olds and compared this to surveys of parents of four year olds in decades past. Of course its probably irrelevant to the Herald that that parents of four year olds are now predominately in their 30s and 40s, and as they are both working, have less time with the kids, now in 20 hours "free" childcare. Parents of four year olds were initially in their 20s, with just one breadwinner.

In 1997, 54% of parents of four year olds smacked their kids at least once a week - the same as in 1977. In 2009 it had dropped to 8.5% The survey tells us one thing: People are afraid to reveal that they break the law.

If 39% of mothers and 33% of fathers never smack, how can 66% of mothers and fathers smack occasionally? Furthermore why are 85.5% going to vote No in the referendum?

I`ll tell you. It is because some people smack their kids but will tell pollsters they don't, because they are too scared to.And even more of those who tell pollsters they don't smack their kids don't want smacking to be a criminal offence and will indicate this if they vote in the smacking referendum. Those that do smack will no doubt vote No.

Surveys should reveal that parents smack their kids less frequently.Of course they would, for three reasons. Older parents smack their children less frequently. Mothers now go to work and have fewer hours of contact with their children.Perhaps some that have the courage to declare at least weekly smacks are stay-at-home mums. If others just see their kids in the evenings and weekends and smack their kids once every three weeks in stead of every week like they did when they weren't working, the frequency, based on contact time, has actually increased. Also, why would you smack your kid in public,risking police attention.

Some parents are effectively saying they don't smack their kids at all, except occasionally, and furthermore they don't want it to be a criminal offence, attracting police attention, in case they occasionally have to break the law. Most of the rest want to continue to do so without breaking the law.They simply believe parents should have the option of whether to use a light corrective smack in certain circumstances without it being considered criminal.

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The launch of ‘luck’ based game site by Imran and Shruti

The entire cine goers clan, the Bollywood fraternity along with Kamal Hassan wait with baited breath as newbie Shruti Hassan makes her grand debut with ‘Luck’ opposite Imran Khan. The on-screen chemistry between the couple as seen in the trailers and in the promotional events looks promising. Also, Shruti get to show some of her versatility as she does some karate and martial arts rounds in the flick with veterans like Sanjay Dutt and Danny Denzongpa.

The makers of the film are leaving no stones unturned in promoting their venture. Apart from appearances in TV shows and radio station, Imran and Shruti were seen launching the luck based game site at JW Marriot, Juhu, Mumbai on Wednesday. Check out some clicks from the event.

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‘Love Aaj Kal’ runs into problems with Sikh community

These days it has become a routine for some sort of controversy to crop up with some religious community just before the release of a much awaited film. The same has happened with Saif Ali Khan’s home production, ‘Love Aaj Kal’ set to release of July 31.

Charanjeet Sapra, President, Punjabi Cultural and Heritage Board, said that the members of the Sikh community are raising an objection to the trimmed beard that Saif sports in the film along with a few romantic scenes set in the Gurudwara. But Saif is not the one to turn away his face to the problems. He, along with his production team, held a special screening of the film for members of the Sikh community.

“We decided to have this special screening for them because we feel that they are representatives of a larger community. We didn’t want to offend anybody,” said Imtiaz Ali, Director.

Sapra has said that they would inform the filmmakers about their view by Friday over the issue, but Saif feels that he already has won their hearts. He says, “I think they liked the film. They will let us know by Friday.”

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How would you feel if you lost $1.3m every day?

This guy did last year, and he doesn't seem to mind all that much.

The amount he lost on average every week is equal to the cost of the smacking referendum.

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How did Katrina Kaif overtake Aishwariya Rai

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2 NEW MODELS IN 2010 VICTORY LINEUP

The Cross Roads

The Cross Country

2 New Touring Models Announced for the American market.

Motorcycle Daily has the story here:
2010 Victory Lineup Includes Two New Touring Bikes

Pics: Victory

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Number one Progressive Party policy: Supporting Jim Anderton financially until he retires

Jim Anderton, who has turned 70, has told his Progressive Party supporters that they can join Labour and retain their Progressive membership. That is discriminatory against Green and National Party supporters who are members of the Progressives. So Progressives have two policies: supporting Jim Anderton until he retires and setting up a progression of membership to Labour for when he does.

Perhaps this progressive nature of the progression of party membership to Labour is why the party is called the Progressives.

Perhaps Anderton is doing this because should the Progressive membership go below 500, Anderton will not be a leader of a registered political party and his funding as a Parliamentary party leader could lapse as well. Surely it wouldn’t have anything to do with certain members in the Progressive Party who are seeking positions within Labour and have to be Labour members to do so.

The Progressive Party is sitting at 0% in the polls at the moment and is in reality a front so Anderton can get more funding as a party leader. Anderton is collecting National Super as well.

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2010 YZ250F NZ PRESS RELEASE

Early Wednesday morning I blogged a leak from America regarding the release of information surrounding the much anticipated 2010 Yamaha YZ250F. I jumped the gun, a little maybe, but I promise it was only in the interest of my keen attitude to the off road world!

So after an email in the afternoon and a call from Peter Payne of Yamaha NZ everything was revealed in an official release of the brand new machine.

I won’t divulge much on what the release details regarding the machine so as to reserve some important refinements for the when the September issue goes to print in several weeks time.

It’s truly exciting times and I just can’t wait to, with all hope and fingers crossed, swing a leg over one of these beasts next week at a little MX track located in Cessnock, NSW, Australia. If I get time I will even blog the day and upload some images!

If you scroll down below you will begin to appreciate the mammoth task Yamaha has been involved in over the last couple of years as they set out to completely redesign the fabled YZ250F. It would make a very interesting timeline expose now wouldn’t it!

Some initial key modifications to note:

1) New bilateral frame



2) All new valve design



3) New engine with refined character



4) New carburettor settings and funnel shape



5) New modified exhaust port


6) New NZ and AUS specific silencers


7) And both the YZ Blue and YZ White NZ and AUS models now come with black anodised rims.




As for theYZ450F.....who knows Yamaha has been extremely tight lipped but you really can’t help but wonder what’s in store for the official release and unveiling next week in Australia – its headed as the “Yamaha Motocross Launch” – that alone can really only mean one thing, brand new models.



(As with any KR blog simply click the image for a large version)

P.S. If you look around kiwirider.co.nz you may find some competitions or more specifically find a blog on how to win an Olympic Bonneville Watch or a double pass to Christchurch's Boys Day Out gig happening in early September. Dont miss out on the opportunity!!

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White Lies: Not a bad band

Driving back from Palmy a few hours ago I was listing to NatRad and they had a special on a London band that sound's like a cross between Joy Division and The Editors, with a bit of OMD, Cure etc. They are playing at a K Road venue in Auckland next Saturday.

The band is White Lies. Nice bass, nice drums, nice band. Here's their single called To Lose My Life. About 100 new bands form in London every day. This is one of the better ones. Have a listen. Here's another of their songs. Don't take the lyrics too seriously.

Oh, and on the subject of good music, to cheer you up after listening to White Lies, make sure you download Coldplay's latest album Left Right Left Right Left because it is the best album of the year to date.

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Aamir Khan shares the dias with Hillary Clinton

During her visit to India, Mrs. Clinton, attended a special interactive session with the students of Xavier College in Mumbai on Saturday and shared the dias with Bollywood star Aamir Khan, who’s also the brand ambassador of the education campaign Teach India.

During this interactive session, Aamir emphasized the need for changes in the education. He said, “Today, students are mostly focusing on memorizing their subjects because they have to face questions like ‘Did you come first?’, ‘How much did you score in mathematics?’”

“I would like to hear teachers telling students: ‘Hey, your friend is weak in this subject, would you help him?’”

“This will incorporate the feeling of sharing and caring among students and will help in making them good individuals. We should teach our kids to be caring.”

“Sadly, more emphasis is given to report cards and less on exploring minds.”

“Teaching should be a high paying job so that youngsters should aim at becoming teachers. I would like to see that one day in India, teaching is the most highly paid job.”

Hillary was quite impressed with the star and praised him saying, “It is a great delight to be here with Aamir Khan, who is not only a Bollywood icon but also the great advocate for education….I am here to see how US and India can work for the common cause of education, which is the great equalizer and gateway to opportunities,” Mrs. Clinton said.

Clinton supported Aamir’s view and said, “I think the actual requirement to become successful in the world is cooperation and collaboration among people and among countries.”

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Goffs gaffe

Yesterday I covered the story of Bruce Burgess and how he has threee properties, no job and was turned away from WINZ because his wife earned $21k. I broke the news yesterday that Burgess is entitled to some benefit from WINZ - and not just temporary access.

It could well be that Labour - who leaked the story - knew all along that Burgess was entitled to WINZ support. Perhaps that is why yesterday's media release said:

It appears his wife’s income, under $30,000, disqualifies the couple from any temporary access to the unemployment benefit.

Even if the Burgess' income was $28k they would not have been entitled to an abated benefit, Thats why they used the $30k figure and the word " appears" in the media release - to decieve, when the real reported figure was $21k.

What dorks Phil Goff and his staff are. What's the point of having researchers and media people, Phil Goff, when you make Gaffes like this?

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US: WIMMER TAKES ATV POINTS LEAD

One for the ATV enthusiasts.

Rockstar Makita Suzuki Racing's Dustin Wimmer celebrated an outstanding AMA ATV Motocross victory at the Suzuki Summer Nationals at Pleasure Valley Raceway in Armagh, Pennsylvania at the weekend.

Wimmer not only captured one-one moto finishes to take the overall victory, the defending AMA ATV Motocross Champion also moved into the championship points lead with this result. This victory marks Wimmer's fifth win of the season, which is even more impressive considering he was injured mid-season and had to miss a round.

Adding to the excitement of the weekend, Rockstar Makita Suzuki's Doug Gust followed his team mate home in an impressive second place. Gust carded third- and second-place moto finishes to take second-place overall and is Gust's fourth visit to the podium this year.

Dustin Wimmer:

"It feels good to take the win and be back in the points lead. I just need to put in three more solid motos to have the championship wrapped up. There was definitely some good racing going on this weekend. I think this round was the most exciting so far. There was a lot of back-and-forth, so I had to stay focused and fast on my Rockstar Makita Suzuki QuadRacer R450. I'm going to do some extra training for the next round at Red Bud because it can get really rough and I want to be ready for it."

Doug Gust:

"This was definitely one of the best races of the year. My Rockstar Makita Suzuki QuadRacer R450 had plenty of power and got me to the front and there was some really good racing going on. I really like the changes they made to the facility and the track. It's a technical track and requires a lot of throttle control. I've been training hard, I'm still in it and it's not over until the last race."


AMA Pro ATV Motocross Top 10 Finishers:

1. Dustin Wimmer (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
2. Doug Gust (Rockstar Makita Suzuki)
3. Josh Upperman (Honda)
4. John Natalie Jr. (Can-Am)
5. Josh Creamer (Kawasaki)
6. Joe Byrd (Honda)
7. Thomas Brown (Yamaha)
8. Cody Miller (Can-Am)
9. Jeremy Lawson (Can-Am)
10. Greg Gee (Honda)

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Kareena Kapoor apprehensive about her bare back scene

After giving some steamy scenes in ‘Kambakth Ishq’, Kareena Kapoor has also shot some intimate scenes in director Rensil D’Silva’s film ‘Qurbaan’ where she stars opposite Saif Ali Khan. Apparently, there is one scene in the film where she makes passionate love to Chhote Nawab and has loads of exposing including her bare back. But now, Kareena is apprehensive about the scene as she is nervous what her parents and would be in-laws might think about it. So the actress hopes to bring it up with director Rensil D’Silva and producer Karan Johar before the film’s final print is ready and get it chopped off.

Kareena says, “We are actors and can’t be coy after accepting a film on a bold subject like Qurbaan. I’ve done kissing scenes earlier. But the love-making scene is explicit by my yardstick. It comes at a crucial stage in the narration. And Saif made sure I was comfortable.”
Sorry guys! No more bare back scenes from Kareena Kapoor!

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Imran Khan’s special gesture for his lady love

Our tinsel town is one place where loyalty and long term relationships do not find a place for themselves, but there are exceptions too. There have been superstars like Big B and SRK himself who have been loyal to their life partners even after touching the highest heights of success.

Among the new generation kids, the new comer chocolate boy Imran Khan, has so far been loyal to his girlfriend who prefers to stay away from limelight though. Imran is really emotional about his ordinary girlfriend Avantika Malik, and continued his seven year long relationship with her even after giving quite a few hits on silver screen.

The little birdie has it that the lad has gone a step ahead in making his lady love feel special on his birthday and has taken time off to head to a secret destination for a romantic getaway far from the maddening public glare.
This is indeed a touching gesture from a busy actor!

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Kat wishes to see her dad

Katrina Kaif turned 25 recently. Katrina went to an undisclosed location in Italy with her family for her birthday celebration. She must have doodled over a very fine B’day cake for the occasion. Was it a mum’s home-made pound cake or the best chocolate cake available there.
She has come a long way since she forayed into Bollywood a few years ago. She is perhaps the most-sought for actress today.

The success of her latest release New York has strengthen her position even further. Apart from her booming career, she has a steady boyfriend in Salman Khan. But this lovely lady misses one thing badly. She misses her dad.

Katrina, who was raised by her mom Suzzane, a Harvard graduate and a lawyer, confessed that she misses her dad whenever she sees fathers of her friends. She is not complaining though.

Kats mom did a fine job in raising her seven kids. She added that she should be grateful for all the other things she has.

Mohammed Kaif parted ways with Suzzane when Katrina was very young. So, is Katrina planning to get in touch with her dad now that she has become a big star? She said that her parents went their own ways due to personal issues. She added her father is very decent and affluent person. She knows that he won’t come back just because she is famous.

Katrina will be seen in Dan Dana Dan, a Priyadarshan film next.

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Why does Phil Goff ask such dumb questions?

Hon Phil Goff: Why did the Prime Minister answer in the House yesterday that a person who has been made redundant and who has a spouse earning $26,000 a year is eligible for financial support for job search or retraining when he or she is not?

Hon JOHN KEY: Because it is correct.

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I worked hard, but I may lose my home

*** what do Labour's researchers do? ***
updated
Bruce Burgess lost his $750 per week job in the recession and was turned away from WINZ because his partner worked part time. She earns $21,000 a year. WINZ turned them away,and so they wrote to their MP who so happens to be the Prime Minister.

When he got the letter he reportedly flicked it off to Paula Bennett's office who did nothing.Then the Labour Party found out about it. Instead of checking the Burgess' entitlements and assisting them, Labour told the NZ Herald who wrote this story. On the surface, it needs to be fixed up because it is appalling.I spoke with the reporter early this afternoon and told him that the family is entitled to a partial benefit.

If they are earning just $21,000, WINZ was wrong to turn them away. They are entitled to register as job seekers through WINZ and are entitled to $91.20 a week in an unemployment benefit as well as possibly an accommodation supplement to assist them with their mortgage. Couldn't the Herald find that out? Depending on their mortgage they may be entitled to further assistance. I've relayed that info on to Keys office.

Given that Labour leaked this story, I'm wondering if its pixie researchers do any research. It's latest media release says that Burgess' wife's income disqualifies the couple from any temporary access to the unemployment benefit.

That's false. And Labour now know it.

update Burgess claims to own several properties, but is not receiving income from them. And I see that John Key has relayed the above in Parliament, and while I was doing this post the Herald updated its story. I spoke with the journalist and requested he do so because the facts of the story were incorrect given entitlement of a benefit on $21k.

update2 And Labour knew all along that the Burgesses owned multiple properties but apparently never told the Herald.

more here.

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2009 Neil and Anoushka Sharma set the ramp afire with their chemistry

She is just one film old in the tinsel town, but before she stepped into the Bollywood zone she was and is still a well-known name in the world of modeling and ramps. Talking about Anoushka Sharma, who had a dream debut opposite SRK in ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’, the gal meets her first love again and walks the ramp for a dazzles on ramp for Jack and Jones, an International clothing brand, which held a fashion show for launch of its store in Bangalore.

Giving her company is the rising star Neil Nitin Mukesh. Where Anoushka looks like an angel in very short white dress, Neil Nitin Mukesh, who is still basking in the success of ‘New York’, just looks perfect with his cool dude look. Check out Neil and Anoushka Sharma as they set the ramp afire for jack and jones in Bangalore.

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Dia Mirza graces two magazine covers this month

Though Dia Mirza’s career is not really going through the best of its phase, there is no denying the fact that she is one of those rare Bollywood beauties who have a perfect face, perfect complexion and a perfect figure. This month Dia exudes her beauty on the covers of two magazines. One is the cover of Jade Magazine - Run way to life for the month of July 2009 and the other one is for Marie Clarie where she appears wearing a green Roberto Cavalli on the cover. Dia tells Marie Claire that she’s doing some half a dozen movies with a plethora of offbeat roles. She reveals that that there’s Kaun Bola with Arshad Warsi, Acid Factory, Kisaan, Johnny Mastana with Rensil D’Silva, Alibaug and Fruit & Nut with Cyrus Brocha & Boman Irani.

Dia has all her hopes pinned on her upcoming releases and we wish too that the gal gets what she deserves!

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Priyanka Chopra spends a quiet birthday

One of the most sought after Bollywood actress, Priyanka Chopra turned 27 this Saturday but there not no birthday bash for this girl who has always had a quiet birthday with friends and family since the age of 12.

“It’s always been a home celebration. My family brings in surprises for me and I like it that way because I really get worried when it comes to organizing parties,” she laughs.

“I’m not a big party person and I don’t like throwing parties at all. So this time a lot of my family members have decided to fly down to be with me. It’s likely to be a day spent doing nothing in particular - just hanging out with the people who love me and want to be around me to make my day special. That’s all,” she added.

Talking about her birthday resolutions, Piggy Chops said, “I don’t have any specific plan, but hope for peace of mind and well being. This year has been extremely good for me, and I would like to thank God for it.”

With many awaited films at present, viz., Vishal Bharadwaj’s “Kaminey” with Shahid Kapoor, Ashutosh Gowariker’s “What’s Your Rashee?”, and Yash Raj Films’ “Pyaar Impossible” along with Uday Chopra and Dino Morea, Priynaka Chopra says that she does not believe much in setting goals.

“I’ve never set any goals for myself. I’ve always been destiny’s child and destiny has always looked after me. I think someone up there always manages my life and does what’s best for me. So I just leave it up to Him. I just work hard at what he sends my way,” she said.

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Stuff stuffs up more stuff

The mainstream media think blogs are bad for discussing the Weatherston case.

But the above story was pulled from Stuff today. The cache is here.The jury members have been allowed to return to their homes for the night to check out the Internet.

hattip WhaleOil.

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HUSQVARNA WINS IN MEXICO

Double E1 class victory for Meo at GP of Mexico

CH Racing Husqvarna Factory Enduro Team 2009
World Enduro Championship '09 - Round 6, Valle de Bravo, Mexico, 18-19.7.2009

Frenchman Antoine Meo has given Husqvarna its first TE 250 powered World Enduro Championship race victory with a sensational double Enduro 1 class winning result at the GP of Mexico, round six of the '09 WEC series. Agonisingly close to claiming his first WEC victory at the recent GP of Slovakia, Antoine continued his good form in Valle de Bravo to stand on top of the E1 class podium ahead of Mika Ahola on both days. Joining Antoine in enjoying success in the '09 World Enduro Championship's only non-European event was Seb Guillaume. Topping the Enduro 3 class on day one Seb returned to form having struggled to perform at his best in recent events following a crash at the GP of Finland.

Giving himself and the CH Racing Husqvarna team much to be pleased about Meo did on day one what he had been threatening to do at the last two GPs - finish at the very top of the Enduro 1 class. Although winning just five of the first full day's 11 special tests Meo placed no lower than third in class on any test, which ensured he remained in the hunt for victory. In winning the final test of day one by three seconds he secured his first ever WEC victory. On day two Meo found things difficult. Sick for three days prior to the start of the race Antoine became tired soon after the start but knowing that a second race win was within his grasp gave his all to ensure he again arrived at the end of the day fighting for the win. Although not winning any of the special tests on the final lap, Meo's hard work early in the day ensured he claimed his second ever WEC victory.

Competing as the CH Racing Husqvarna team's lone Enduro 2 class rider due to Finn Matti Seistola having to undergo knee surgery, Bartosz Oblucki's GP of Mexico didn't go exactly to plan as a big crash early on day one spoiled his event. Riding extremely well prior to his crash, Bartosz was forced to fight his way through the two days with the help of pain killing injections. Fourth on day one, on day two things got really hard for Bart' but he fought his way to the end of the day and finished eighth.

Finally putting the crash he sustained at the GP of Finland firmly behind him Seb Guillaume enjoyed a near perfect opening day as he piloted his WR 300 to a well-deserved Enduro 3 class win. Enjoying the Mexican event, and the long motocross test in particular, Seb took an early class lead and maintained his position at the front of the throughout the day. Seb's eventual winning margin was 11 seconds. On day two Seb was one of many riders to feel less than 100 per cent. After a long, hard first day Seb was unable to start day two as he'd finished day one but upped his pace as the day wore on and claimed third, ensuring a second, deserved, visit to the podium.

Antoine Meo - Enduro 1: “It's been a fantastic weekend for me. Winning on day one was really special because it was my first ever WEC victory. The Husqvarna team and myself have worked really hard this season and to finally win is really great. I had a really good day on day one. Mika had some problems in the morning and lost 10 seconds but I won by 12 seconds. I rode well all day and felt good. Day two was also good. I was sick for three days before the race and I started to feel really tired half way through the second day. Mika was pushing really hard but I managed to stay ahead of him and win again. I am really happy for Husqvarna and the team. I'm also pleased to give the TE 250 its first WEC victory.”

Bartosz Oblucki - Enduro 2: “I crashed really heavily on the motocross test on lap two of the first day and badly injured my right thumb. It was really difficult after that. I had a good opening lap so I was pushing hard to try and win the day. After my crash I was in fourth, and I had a good lead ahead of the riders behind me, so I am pleased that I was able to finish in that position. Day two was much harder. I had four different pain killing injections during the day, but it was still really hard to hold on because the track was so rough. I just wanted to try and score some points, which I managed to do. I'm happy with fourth and eight place results because it could have easily been a no-point weekend after the crash. I'd really like to thank the event organiser Sergio Diaz and his family and Husqvarna Mexico for their support and help.”

Seb Guillaume - Enduro 3: “The first day was really good for me. I decided just to take things easy on the Super Test and then eased my way into the first day's competition. The motocross test was perfect for me so I pushed really hard and I finished 10 seconds ahead of the other riders. I knew then that I could do well. I pushed hard but I stayed within my limits and although it was close at the end of the day it was great to win. I didn't have any problems or crashes on day one. After the disappointing results in Finland and Slovakia it was good to have a podium result again. Day two was really hard. I didn't have a great opening lap but after that I got stronger. I had a good fight with Samuli Aro on the last lap and managed to finish on the podium again in third.”

Results - 2009 World Enduro Championship
Grand Prix of Mexico - Day 1

Enduro 1
1. Antoine Meo (CH Racing Husqvarna) 1.17:22.14; 2. Mika Ahola (Honda) 1.17:35.11; 3. Julien Gauthier (Honda) 1.17:46.83; 4. Thomas Oldrati (KTM) 1.18:19.50; 5. Simone Albergoni (KTM) 1.18:31.89; 6. Eero Remes (KTM) 1.20:40.73; 7. Michael Goeters (KTM) 1.33:00.51; 8. Jose Rubio (Yamaha) 1.42:21.46; 9. Luis Wahn (Yamaha) 1.45:06.96; 10. Jose Vivanco (KTM) 1.45:09.63; 11. Daniel Vega (KTM) 1.51:30.30

Enduro 2
1. Johnny Aubert (KTM) 1.17:25.96; 2. Juha Salminen (BMW) 1.17:58.68; 3. Rodrig Thain (TM) 1.18:29.14; 4. Bartosz Oblucki (CH Racing Husqvarna) 1.18:59.46; 5. Alessandro Belometti (KTM) 1.19:42.20; 6. Cristobal Guerrero (Yamaha) 1.20:12.93; 7. Homero Diaz (KTM) 1.20:24.94; 8. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 1.21:01.49: 9. Valtteri Salonen (Husaberg) 1.21:34.29; 10. Chris Birch (KTM) 1.22:08.77

Enduro 3
1. Seb Guillaume (CH Racing Husqvarna) 1.16:21.57; 2. Ivan Cervantes (KTM) 1.16:32.73; 3. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) 1.16:46.83; 4. Samuli Aro (KTM) 1.17:26.24; 5. Fabio Mossini (Honda) 1.18:18.01; 6. Nathan Kanney (KTM) 1.20:15.21; 7. Bjorne Carlsson (Husaberg) 1.20:29.71; 8. Marcus Kehr (KTM) 1.20:41.44; 9. Alberto Quijano (KTM) 1.26:26.43; 10. Rayner Caballeros (KTM) 1.20:15.29; 11. Jarkko Vainio (KTM) 1.35:54.50; 12. Oscar Assmar (KTM) 1.41:02.59

Results - 2009 World Enduro Championship
Grand Prix of Mexico - Day 2

Enduro 1
1. Antoine Meo (CH Racing Husqvarna) 1.21:05.12; 2. Mika Ahola (Honda) 1.21:05.27; 3. Simone Albergoni (KTM) 1.23:02.12; 4. Julien Gauthier (Honda) 1.23:27.11; 5. Thomas Oldrati (KTM) 1.23:33.00; 6. Eero Remes (KTM) 1.23:44.69; 7. Luis Wahn (Yamaha) 1.38:55.30; 8. Jorge Aguilar (KTM) 1.39:23.52; 9. Jose Robio (Yamaha) 1.39:25.73; 10. Jose Vivanco (KTM) 1.45:41.94

Enduro 2
1.Johnny Aubert (KTM) 1.21:29.11; 2. Juha Salminen (BMW) 1.22:12.33; 3. Cristobal Guerrero (Yamaha) 1.22:58.05; 4. Rodrig Thain (TM) 1.23:16.51; 5. Joakim Ljunggren (Husaberg) 1.23:28.48; 6. Valtteri Salonen (Husaberg) 1.24:01.26; 7. Alessandro Belometti (KTM) 1.24:03.83; 8. Bartosz Oblucki (CH Racing Husqvarna) 1.25:18.84; 9. Homero Diaz (KTM) 1.25:37.59; 10. Chris Birch (KTM) 1.28:40.71; 11. Erwin Plekkenpol (Honda) 1.28:57.29; 12. Mike Hartman (Husaberg) 1.29:33.87; 13. Patrick Garrahan (KTM) 1.31:17.57; 14. Jaime Garcia (KTM) 1.32:48.20; 15. Juan Reyes (KTM) 1.33:34.41; 16. Anuar Ruiz (Kawasaki) 1.34:22.58; 17. Jose Vanzzini (KTM) 1.35:15.89; 18. Javier Araya (BMW) 1.36:34.43; 19. Cusi Sanchez (BMW) 1.36:58.61; 20. Patrick Reyes (KTM) 1.38:23.88

Enduro 3
1. Ivan Cervantes (KTM) 1.20:40.74; 2. Christophe Nambotin (Gas Gas) 1.20:59.22; 3. Seb Guillaume (CH Racing Husqvarna) 1.21:34.08; 4. Samuli Aro (KTM) 1.21:35.19; 5. Fabio Mossini (Honda) 1.22:34.60; 6. Nate Kanney (KTM) 1.28:30.11; 7. Alberto Quijano (KTM) 1.32:18.12; 8. Rayner Caballeros (KTM) 1.37:12.56; 9. Jarkko Vainio (KTM) 1.37:37.18; 10. Antonio Guillen (KTM) 1.47:48.43

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Phil Goff's idiotic idea

Phil Goff wants the dole paid to people made redundant due to the recession even if their partners are working. He wants partners income to be disregarded in means testing.

To pay the full unemployment benefit to partnered redundant workers, the whole benefit system would need to be revamped as when an unemployed person with a non-earning partner gets the benefit, half the benefit is paid to the partner, and half to the unemployed person.

Here's what could happen within the current system: A person is made redundant. She earned $35,000 a year - about $670 a week - and does not live with her partner, who has the four children and earns $80,000. Both have separate bank accounts. Instead of getting the dole as at present, the couple move in together. Both get the dole, as the benefit payment is split between partners and into each bank account, and the newly unemployed woman no longer has to pay child support. Good idea, they think. As she is unemployed, Working for Families payments are paid through WINZ. If WINZ do not note the partner's income - because that will abate the benefit instead of waiving it - WINZ would also pay Working for Families payments - as she now has the kids - and the accommodation supplement to pay for the high mortgage.

They'd get about $500.00 extra each week. On top of that, if the unemployed person's bank balance went below a certain threshold, she could get food grants and advances to pay power bills as WINZ disregard the income of her partner.

A nice little earner to ride over the recession. And no childcare to pay too as the unemployed man can look after the kids while his wife works and collects the benefit.

But there's a downside to this arrangement. Guess what it is.

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Punter loses $43k on Warriors game

Last week the NZ Herald reported that last week an Australian punter bet A$35,000 ($43,260) on a Sydney Roosters victory at $1.85 against the Warriors in the weekend.

The Warriors won 30-24.

Ouch. I wonder if he put a bet on a Wallabies win as well. If so the letter W is not his favourite letter of the alphabet, is it.

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Sizzling Deepika Padukone in item number once again

Not many have forgotten the spicy item number done by Deepika Padukone in SRK’s flick ‘Billu Barber’. The song was a rage and Deepika will now again be seen in an item number. Only this time it would be a Telugu flick.

The movie which will feature this item number is titled ‘Love 4 Ever’ and is being directed and produced by Jayant C. Paranji under Laughing Waters Entertainment banner. Set in the backdrop of a grape garden, the film is a love story though with a uniqueness and has Ranadeep and Mridula in the lead roles. ‘Love 4 Ever’ will be made in Telugu as well as Hindi.

Check out Deepika as she sizzles in the shoot for this item number!!

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Priyanka Chopra launches the men’s line of clothing

Pretty and glamorous Priyanka Chopra is definitely one of the most popular Bollywood actresses in this tinsel town. So, it did not come as a surprise when the lady was chosen to promote a men’s wear brand – J. Hampstead that was earlier promoted by sportsmen like Leander Paes, MS Dhoni…

“I think a woman’s opinion is very important when a man dresses and I would definitely give my opinion whether it’s my dad, my friends or anyone. So I think having a female brand ambassador for a male brand was a genius idea,” explained Priyanka Chopra as to why she was chosen to promote a men’s brand.

Recently, Priyanka launched international line of premium shirts of global brand J Hampstead and on this occasion, models walked the ramp showcasing the latest collections of the premium clothing line.

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