Despite over 88% of people who took part in this months 'Anti Smacking Referendum' effectively saying they want the law changed, the government still refuses to.

Prime Minister John Key said the law was working the way Parliament intended it to.

I have to say what a load of crap. The law was designed to tackle New Zealands abysmal child abuse record and this law does nothing for them but criminalizes the good New Zealand parent. This law was not needed in the first place, it was not wanted in the first place and to think otherwise is showing the same arrogance that lost Labour the last election. First of murder is illegal yet it does not stop people murdering people. Child abuse is illegal yet it does not stop children from being abused, why does this idiotic government alongside the last believe that saying smacking is now illegal is going to stop children being abused, it's lunicy in the highest form.

Mr Key, went on to say ""It didn't ask the question about whether the law should be changed. I think that's a more difficult issue."

Well Mr Key effectively it did, the question was.... "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?" Regardless of whether or not you get caught, by smacking you child as part of good parental correction you ARE committing a criminal offence in New Zealand. The 88% of people who voted said no, said they wanted the law change.

Furthermore it would only take one **** cop, and New Zealand has alot of those to screw up a family and perhaps finally get it through your thick skull that the law is not working.

I expect you Mr Key, to either change the law..... or resign.

Kia Ora,

It's been a while since I have updated this, and a bit has happened. I survived Las Vegas, I didn't even melt into the pavement which was a concern of mine, and that is including having to change a tyre in the middle of the Mojave Desert, which as odd as it sounds was quite fun, I know I'm weird shoot me. The two biggest let downs for me was Nat and Alex's Conert in Vegas being cancelled and coming home.

I love New Zealand, don't get me wrong. But I need to be where I feel I can do the most good and at this time it is not New Zealand. Of course being on my sort of income does not provide alot of oppourtunity to escape, and living in the area I live provides even less. Currently I work a job 36 hours a week at minimum wage just to survive, All the reviewing, advocating I do, both as Youth MP and Youth Councilor are done on a volunteer basis, on rare occasion I am recompensated for gas, but other wise I am responsible for any expenses, which is getting more difficutly with the minescule size of my budget, but I am trying to continue to provide my services for free for as long as I can, I'm just not sure how long that it will last.

I am currently engaged in one of my biggest projects in represnting as many of NBB fans as will either let me or I can find. I had intended to present a case to Polly Draper in Las Vegas, unfortunatly they weren't there, so I had to think how to do I do it? I chose to present my case by letter sending it care of the Chicago House of Blues. It worked, I received an email explaining some of the ponits I raised. On recieving mandate from a number of fans I have presented a plan and am still waiting on word, to try and salvage a fourth quarter and a conclussion.

Back home, New Zealanders recently voted on a Referendum question 'Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offense in New Zealand?' In response to Sue Bradfords 2007 Anti Smacking bill which was passed into law by the then Labour Government. New Zealand voted an overwhelming 88% No. Yet Sue Bradford claims that it does not Represent the view of the people. 88% is higher than the 75% for a parliamentry super majority, so explain me to how this could not show the view of people. Yet the government refuses to change the law until CYFs or the Police can prove it's not working..... The law has to be changed, it does not help those who it claims, those are being abused by their parents will still be abused, they won't care, because honestly Abuse is worse than smacking, and a law saying smacking is illegal won't deter them. All it will take is for one **** cop, and New Zealand has alot of those, and some good parent will find themselves a convicted criminal.

Meanwhile I applaud the descion by Cabinet not to support Maori only seats on the new Auckland Supercity council. We are one country..... lets start acting like it. It is not the NZ Maori and the rest of New Zealand....... it is New Zealand.

Til next time, Rock On.

Ka Kite

Sam

This time in three weeks I should be well on my way to the US of A. I am prepped and ready to go, but as I have come to expect there is pressing issues at hand.

I swing into full review mode this week thanks to start of NBB season 3 here in NZ. The episode was a let down from the exceptional season 2 and rates at a mere 4.5/10. However this is overshadowed by a more pressing matter at, the unfinished end to the series. Now to some it will be a relief, to the rest of us it is a kick in the teeth or a knife in the back (depending on how dramatic you wish to be). Shows get cancelled all the time, but this is a move that will send me into attack mode, and I plan to get answers from anyone I can. What do we need to do? Go all Jericho on Nicks ass? a million peanuts? A million pictures of Naked Brothers? What ever it is something needs to be done, but because it shows a complete lack of comittment and utmost contempt for the fans and viewers who I might remind everyone, is whom Nick is supposed to entertain. A show can not be blamed because of Nicks incomptence in almost everything that they have done over the last couple of years. I will be consultating with fans over the next three weeks, I want as many arguements as I can.

It is time to kick someone's patoody.