Welcome Prime Minister...

Today I'm pleased to welcome, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, who may have the answer to why this country is in such shape.

"Prime Minister, only yesterday I asked the American President when his country would stop borrowing money to stay afloat and how would they pay their creditors and when.
Now, New Zealand is virtually in the same boat, if you'll pardon the expression, currently borrowing $380 million dollars a week.
And, like the US, surely bankrupt.
When will this insane level of borrowing stop?"

"Yes Keith. Mr Obama was right. That is a very, very good question..."

I gave Mr Key a personally signed copy of my latest book, 'How to Live Well On A Small Income' and he asked if I had another with pictures in it that he could give to his Finance Minister...

Welcome Mr President...

"Firstly Mr President, thankyou for sparing the time and welcome to the first of what I hope will be many appearances on The Flying Tortoise.
I won't beat around the proverbial Mr President, we'll cut to the chase as they say.
The US debt level is at this moment a staggering 14.3 trillion dollars and you are about to raise it by a further 2.5 trillion dollars to avoid a payment default to creditors on August 2.
China is of course the biggest creditor and is owed one trillion dollars.
I'm personally out of pocket myself Mr President as I lent, yes I know, never a borrower or a lender be, but there was this guy in New York, Tramp or Trump I think his name was, well he said he was down and out and I lent him twenty bucks back in 1992. Haven't heard from him since.
But back to you Mr President and the big question.

When Mr President, is all this borrowing going to stop?"

"Well Keith. That's a very, very good question".

For appearing on TFT, I presented Mr Obama with a personally signed copy of my latest book, 'How To Live Well On A Small Income'. He was of course, delighted and said that he'd never heard of an idea quite like it and would it be ok if his people talked to my people...

World Bodypainting Festival...

The annual week long World Bodypainting Festival held in Austria attracted talented artists from more than forty countries.
They exhibit in three different techniques. Brush and sponge, airbrush and special effects.
Go to www.amusingplanet.com and see more...

Canadian Faces Six Months Jail For Growing Vegetables...

Doesn't the world get crazier every day.
In British Colombia, Lanztville resident Dirk Breker has been told by local bureaucrats to stop growing fruit and vegetables on his land.
Previously a 'gravel pit', Dirk and his partner Nicole have worked hard on the land since 1999 to fulfil a dream, to heal the barren land and encourage the birds and the bees to return.
Now as a result of a disgruntled neighbour's complaint, the local municipality have hired a law firm to make him desist from his project or face the consequences. Six months in jail...

Why Tomatoes Are Red...

Recent bad weather covering New Zealand has raised the price of fruit and vegetables at supermarkets sky high.
For these tomatoes in particular, it's probably the embarrassment of having to wear such outrageously expensive price tags.
Perhaps Julie's from Michigan are a lot cheaper...

Woman Faces Jail For Growing Vegetables In Her Front Garden...

It's really too ridiculous isn't it.
How mad has this Western society become.
Julie Bass of Oak Park, Michigan USA, mother of six, law abiding citizen and gardener, is now, a nearly convicted criminal.
She goes to trial, I can't believe this, on July 26, for the heinous crime of planting a vegetable garden in her front yard, which is against county laws. Only flowers and shrubs in the front garden thankyou very much.
If she's convicted, she faces a possible 93 days inside where nothing grows.
Will the judge put on his little black cap as he pronounces her sentence or throw the case out onto the compost heap where it belongs.
As do the Oak Park bureaucrats.
They're obviously full of the stuff that makes gardens grow...

To the Sri Lankan Asylum Seekers - I'm Sorry...

To the eighty eight Sri Lankans on the ship currently detained by Indonesian authorities and being prevented to travel to New Zealand,
I'm sorry.
I witnessed this country's Prime Minister say on television that you are not welcome here.
He showed a total lack of compassion and I'm disgusted with his arrogant stance on this humanitarian matter.
There are many in this country who are saddened by your situation and sympathetic to your plight.
I hope you find a safe haven where you are welcome...