I should be writing about North Korea. I haven’t even included any tweets about that. Maybe tomorrow. Today I’m going into homily mode. It’ll probably piss some of you off.

There’s a tweet in today’s Political Tweets section about the blow-back GOP politicians are facing in relation to healthcare when they go home. My comment asks why politicians can’t get together for the good of the people they represent. Many say that’s not possible. I disagree. All you have to do is get rid of the people who are creating the poisonous atmosphere. Donald Trump. Mitch McConnell. There are several others in both parties. However, a huge proportion of USians vote for whoever their party puts up as candidate, no matter what. What’s happening is the fault of voters and the system as much the politicians themselves. The politicians are never really held to account because of it.

In New Zealand, politics is pretty boring. And you know what? I’m proud of that. We have an election coming up on 23 September. There have been scandals involving most of the leaders of our leading political parties, and except in the notable case of the dreadful Winston Peters (leader, NZ First), politicians haven’t tried to take advantage of them. They rarely do for good reason – it doesn’t work here.

One of the Greens co-leaders had to resign over a major fraud case. None of the other parties talk about it. The leader of the Labour Party had to resign just weeks before the election. The other parties refer to it as an “internal matter for them to sort out”. The current prime minister (Bill English, National Party) was being hassled by the press about a cover-up and his supporters booed the press. English stuck up for the press, and the other parties haven’t taken advantage of the situation. It was discovered that Winston Peters had been over-paid his superannuation for seven years. None of the other parties have used it against him. He is trying to attack others by changing the focus to who leaked the information. It’s not working – his poll results are falling.

There’s a saying in politics that everyone hates dirty politics, but it works. Well, it doesn’t work here. Whenever any party uses dirty tactics, the public turns against them. As a NZer, I’m proud of that. There’s a lesson to be learned from this I think.

 

Cat Tweets

Don’t you just want to hug them? ????

 

Oh my goodness!

 

Remember that Star Trek episode where the aliens had half their faces a different colour?

 

That look that makes them so irresistible …

 

Well, it’s obvious. There’s snow on the ground, and a sheep’s back is warm! Smart kitteh!

Dog Tweets

A helping paw …

Other Animals Tweets

In real life I’m not a fan of goats. When I was working at the Ministry of Agriculture I once spent a day in a woolshed that had just had rutting goats in it for the previous few days. If you’ve ever been around that smell, you’ll know what I mean!

I also killed a kid in a car accident about thirty years ago. It wasn’t my fault but I still feel guilty every time I see a goat. However, there are lots of really cute tweets of kids, and here’s one!

 

A world first – film of doormice building a nest.

Bird Tweets

It’s amazing what birds will do for sex, and it gives us lots of beauty to enjoy.

 

Reptile Tweets

I don’t know what “the hard way” means. Perhaps someone can explain. Cool GIF though.

Marine Tweets

I’ve heard of things like this, but never seen one.
(Via Ann German.)

 

Ha ha!

Political Tweets

Some more on the plight of the Rohingya.
(Via SecularNZ)

 

Whether you were a supporter of Obama or not ( I mostly was), it’s undeniable he was a man of class, integrity, and dignity. Those three words cannot be applied to the current president.

 

You can see the full letter in the link in this tweet.

 

Here’s a good thread to check out re the EPA. Scott Pruitt, in his role as head of the EPA, is doing things like touring a Toyota factory!!!???

 

I’ve been saying this for weeks – I need to write another post about the state of healthcare in the US. The current situation isn’t perfect, but it’s a whole lot better than what was there before. Instead of playing political games, why can’t politicians get together and work for the people they’re supposed to represent?

Religion Tweets

The logic of people who pray for help in a disaster always makes me wonder.
(Via Ann German.)

Science Tweets

Star Trek’s universal translator is on the way! This is so cool!

 

This is the future of education in many areas.

 

Not a problem I’ll be having … (I don’t do illegal drugs!)

Flora Tweets

Very cool!
(Via SecularNZ)

 

I love time lapse photography.

Scenic Tweets

The latest Air New Zealand ad.

 

 

Architecture Tweets

They’re right – it’s ghastly!

 

This is more like it!


 

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