Thoughts on current events

This week national politics dominated discussion amongst my friends and co-workers.  As I live in the capital, and work for the government by day, it is always a frequent topic of conversation. But recent events have come to the fore among my friends and colleagues.What I am talking about is the Labor heavy weight Shane  Jones selling out to the opposition for a flash title, and a sack o' cash.

I have heard many theories over the past week. Some have argued that he had no choice, that the actions of the current leadership are basically giving the 2014 election away. Maybe David Cunliffe has done a deal too? Maybe that is why he is acting as a whiny ignoramus to scuttle his own parties chances? Or maybe he is just a bit of a tool?

Or maybe Jones was bitter after losing the leadership bid to the better man, well to David Cunliffe anyway.  In my very humble opinion Grant Robertson is the better man than both of them, but I am don't get to make these sorts of decisions.

Some have questioned Jones's recent behavior? Slagging off  his party's closest allies the Greens seemed at the time very counter productive to their chances of getting into parliament. But in hindsight could this be a bit of vindictiveness on his part? Deliberately sabotaging this important relationship for the party that did not want him as a leader.

Also, his recent publicity regarding Countdown. Basically he was showing off, upstaging Cunliffe while exhibiting his charisma and strength to tackle important national issues. Until his resignation he had certainly been a prominent  leader.

Regardless of the many theories I have heard, Jones will be gone before the next election, and while this is probably a good thing in the long run, in the short run it has further damaged Labour's chances for the election this year. Some in Labour appear to be distancing themselves from Jones, but by doing so they are also distancing those people he appealed to in the Party. Many don't care much for Cunliffe or his performance of late, and Jones' exodus appears to have sealed his party's fate.I know this because friends of mine who are Labour supporters are exceptionally disillusioned. Some have even debated if it is even worth voting?

Hunter S. Thompson said " It ain't much, but it's the only weapon we have against the Greedheads."

“Anybody who thinks that 'it doesn't matter who's President' has never been Drafted and sent off to fight and die in a vicious, stupid war on the other side of the world--or been beaten and gassed by Police for trespassing on public property--or been hounded by the IRS for purely political reasons--or locked up in the Cook County Jail with a broken nose and no phone access and twelve perverts wanting to stomp your ass in the shower. That is when it matters who is President or Governor or Police Chief. That is when you will wish you had voted.” Hunter S. Thompson.

But what do I think?

I think that you should go to The Lego Movie!

No really it's awesome It is so awesome it has a song about how awesome it is.

If you are looking for a family movie that will appeal to both adults and children this should be on the top of your list. Sure you can argue that it is 100 minute advertisement for a toy, but it is so entertaining I don't care. And you probably won't either.

The story is about Emmit, a normal everyday construction worker who finds a strange object and is swept up into an adventure that threatens his entire world.  On his adventures he encounters Batman, Superman, a robotic cyborg pirate, Gandalf and many others.

The Lego Movie has a great cast, great story and is actually funny. Batman is hilarious, and a complete jerk.
Eight Lego Monkeys from me.


Or, if you want something slightly different try Mr Peabody and Sherman.

Filled with puns, history and half the cast of the TV show Modern Family, Mr Peabody and Sherman is slightly more standard fair for a holiday film. These characters are mostly unfamiliar to us, coming from an American TV show Rocky and His Friends. But unlike many films such as  The Shadow where the original show did not have a sizable exposure outside the US,  Mr Peabody and Sherman stands on its own merits.
Ty Burrell is great as Mr  Peabody, and as a family we enjoyed travelling through time with them on their adventures. It is a sentimental story, but still enjoyable.

Six time travelling monkeys from me.

You are probably still wondering about my take on the current political situation?  Well I think people should vote. I also think that a lot of people have firm ideas about policies and politics.

But this is not a political Blog and while you may have some pretty firm opinions about some of the political ideas espoused here, I never said they were mine. There are dozens and dozens of blogs devoted to politics, and if you are interested check them out.

But I am just messing with you.

What I think is that you should take the time be with your family especially during the holidays. I assure you the dramas of the Beehive will be there in the morning.