To Tazer, or not to Tazer...

I was listening to the comments this morning on the radio about the introduction of the Tazer stun guns into New Zealand. I'm rather 50/50 on this issue. Of course the introduction to armed policemen into New Zealand would find me the same because there are pro's and con's to any argument, including these controversial ones.

The Tazer is a 'non-lethal' form of subduing a criminal. Then again, so was pepper spray. In the right hands a Tazer can be used for the purposes it is intended for. Then again, pepper spray in the hands of one idiot cop the night of the Fight for Life can be a feild day for media. A Tazer gun the hands of a power hungry officer can be a persons worst nightmare. 50,000 volts charging into your body on the ends of two pretty nasty looking hooked barbs, not a pleasent thought.

The comments I heard though were someone opposed to the new equipment comparing New Zealand with America. If you are going to draw comparisons, then don't compare our apples with the Big Apples. New Zealand police are nothing like the police there. My father in law, who works at a prison walks out of his house with his gun on his hip with extra bullets on his belt. Our cops walk out of their homes with pepper spray and cuffs. American police have rifles and shotguns sitting next to their onboard computers. Ours have maybe a gun stashed in the boot next to the spare tyre. There is no comparison. I was shocked in 2002 when I walked through Melbourne Airport and the officers there were carrying guns.

So...To Tazer, or not to Tazer. That is the question.

Deputy Prime Minister living life in a bottle

Now I'm pretty convinced about our Deputy Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr Michael Cullen, who also serves as finance minister, attourney General, minister for Tertiary education, is living his life inside a glass bottle. His most recent evidence of that is his denial that there is a brain drain.

I've often wondered about our brightest and best moving to other places in an effort to get ahead in life. Why wouldn't they? Earn over $40,000 and you automatically earn the right to be taxed at 39c in a dollar. Go to Oz, earn the same amount and be taxed maybe 29. GST in Australia is less than ours at about 10%. First home buyer grants and everything.

Hmmm...why wouldn't you go again?

I think Mr Cullen needs to realise that while not all of the smart Kiwi's will go, those who want to go will go, thus depleating out own Kiwi brains staying here to make our own economy.

But now, I think Dr Cullen should write his own script and leave...NOW, before more damage is done by his attitude.