Kia Ora,
When looking for the footage to add to my previous blog of the ape with the AK-47 after I was sent a copy, another clip came up.
Initially I thought it might be a spoof until talking to someone with more knowledge about this area than I who bascially said apes are a lot brighter than we give them credit for. They even said look up Bonobo as they are the smartest of the apes.
In recent years many people including myself have remarked about how society appears to be getting dumbed down by our education system.
Dr Dolf de Roos remarks about it in a fashion when giving his life story about how he arrived at decision to do an engineering degree. Basically he looked at medicine he didn't like blood so when looking at most other avenues & they were you had to follow a set path. Then he looked at engineering which was problem solving. Totally different type of thinking all together. In fact he maintains that helped him as an investor because been an investor is looking at problems & then finding a solution.
A good investor looks for problems.
We are seeing the same issue arising in the security industry here in New Zealand. The proposed new mandatory regulations will basically have as we are getting a team of little robots who don't or can't think outside the square & are actually trained in everything but security.
As I have said previously on leaving the military I completed a security course. Thing is the instructors were people who strived for excellence. Two of them being ex military taught in a military fashion so a lot of hands on training, red herrings thrown in(by a person often referred to in the army as Mr Red Herring) so people had to think.
Still meet people off those courses who say again & again how it was often the best training they have ever done. Not only that you can see those who come off a course with similar type of training are streets ahead of most graduates of security courses in New Zealand.
Having the requirements for a qualification written down on paper & taught in a classroom still does not qualify someone for the job on the ground. Neither does spending four hours in a gym a day. That sort of work out is only what most guards are able to dream about once they are on the workface.
Just yesterday in a financial newsletter I receive was this comment which I thinks sum it up nicely "Degrees & qualifications are important in organizations that don't actually produce anything". Good security will do its utmost to protect people & property so saving a business costs in the long run.
Most security if they stick to what is taught currently are just a presence no more no less who don't really care.
But then that is what the likes of CBD Business owner are used too & that is what they expect. They don't expect security to think for themselves.
We are following the US system but New Zealand has taken it a step further & it alone is destroying our ability to ever again compete on a world stage in business.
I have noticed a debate on Linkedin talking about what is great about New Zealand. Most of the points I have seen are now myths. That New Zealand no longer exists.
We still do have people with great ideas but as people keep discovering they usually have to go offshore for them to succeed. Or as the couple who started 42 Below said in their book "Every Bastard says No" to succeed in New Zealand you almost have to succeed offshore first.
Personally still plan to succeed here first, but the biggest hurdle is the New Zealand small mindedness as shown by the CBD Business owner. So have had to think of other ways of achieving it.
New Zealanders(generally ex military) are some of the top security people in the world but those people are only recognized outside New Zealand.
Now had they come to a good New Zealand security entity(there are some of us) then a solution to effectively secure(nothing is ever 100% secure but it would be a hell of a lot more secure than has been or currently is) the Christchurch CBD red zone would of been found.
www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
CBD Business owner lacks Security Knowledge!
Kia Ora,
Well I have received a very upset un named reply to my last post so it will not be published since they know they are wrong by not publishing their name.
But I will quickly refute their false accusations.
First they claim that the fence was only ever there for a controlled worksite not for security. Totally incorrect. Fence was erected to aid security. By having a fence up it allows individuals to be arrested immediately as they are in a fenced/enclosed area.
Not only that the CERA webstie tells you how secure the CBD is in particular due to the fences & other aids. In fact the answer by authorities to information we supplied about breaches(from sub contract work in the CBD Red Zone) was to erect more fences but that doesn't work by itself. It is obvious the CBD business owner hasn't looked if they have been inside the cordon as too where fences were erected. If they had, they would of asked why? They certainly aren't there for a controlled worksite.
Criticizes the company as not been good enough. Fact: The reason I first got my individual licence then formed two companies as was informed that was my best option since my standards were too high for security in New Zealand. Just because they are used to extremely low standards is not my fault.
They claim it would need actual security expertise to make the place secure.
Funny have that expertise from been in the military(highest level of security-used to give lessons on this form of security) & PSD in Iraq (second highest level of security). Not my fault NZ doesn't practice good security & doesn't like good security yet.
As many of those I have worked with in the military & Iraq have said to me. Look NZ is just not ready for real security yet. Keep it humming along & when it happens they will not have a clue what to do so you & others will be in a position to step up.
It is not just me either someone with a lot more international experience in high levels of security including as a consultant in dangerous areas, yet when back here for a break his experience is ignored & gets offered work as a guard only.
CBD business owner shows their lack of knowledge of real security where the likes of myself practice it. Many even more highly skilled security operators than myself have returned to NZ to again head offshore because of the lack of recognition of real security experience & knowledge.
I had warned that NZ was not ready for a terrorist attack(still isn't it needs to start practising proactive security again to counter terrorist attacks) or in that matter as has shown a large natural disaster. We practice procedures that are just not relevant in a real large emergency situation but can't get out of that mindset.
CBD business owner claims I miss the point. It is definitely the other way around. Effective security could be provided & not at the cost they are looking at. Yes it would cost but it is right now. Having been part of the military involved in emergencies, I know that any use of the military has to be paid for. Yes someone is billed for the military providing manpower(surprised me too when I first learned of it during an emergency).
Private security would cost less in the long run. That is why PSD's are used so much in Iraq & Afghanistan. Why the UN is considering using PSD's for intervention. As they free the military up from some tasks & though well paid actually cost less than having a standing army. It is what NZ will have to look at with recent military cutbacks.
It is quite evident from their rant that the only big mouth with a small mind(their words) is this CBD business owner. The cordon is not a controlled worksite but a security cordon. Typical New Zealand small minded thinking here. I know they will be under stress having a business there but they need to deal with the facts not the myth put out there.
Just because they have never been exposed to real security is no reason to try to shoot the messenger.
As stated & again they miss the point, my last post did not show any weaknesses in the system not already known. In fact it was breached again today but the person was not removed or seen by the volunteers or police but by a worker in the Red Zone. Before they comment they need to learn to read.
The point is their business like everyone elses is not secure. Despite the assurances given they are.
If you are not prepared to put your name to a comment it will not be published especially if a rant based on myth not facts.
www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Well I have received a very upset un named reply to my last post so it will not be published since they know they are wrong by not publishing their name.
But I will quickly refute their false accusations.
First they claim that the fence was only ever there for a controlled worksite not for security. Totally incorrect. Fence was erected to aid security. By having a fence up it allows individuals to be arrested immediately as they are in a fenced/enclosed area.
Not only that the CERA webstie tells you how secure the CBD is in particular due to the fences & other aids. In fact the answer by authorities to information we supplied about breaches(from sub contract work in the CBD Red Zone) was to erect more fences but that doesn't work by itself. It is obvious the CBD business owner hasn't looked if they have been inside the cordon as too where fences were erected. If they had, they would of asked why? They certainly aren't there for a controlled worksite.
Criticizes the company as not been good enough. Fact: The reason I first got my individual licence then formed two companies as was informed that was my best option since my standards were too high for security in New Zealand. Just because they are used to extremely low standards is not my fault.
They claim it would need actual security expertise to make the place secure.
Funny have that expertise from been in the military(highest level of security-used to give lessons on this form of security) & PSD in Iraq (second highest level of security). Not my fault NZ doesn't practice good security & doesn't like good security yet.
As many of those I have worked with in the military & Iraq have said to me. Look NZ is just not ready for real security yet. Keep it humming along & when it happens they will not have a clue what to do so you & others will be in a position to step up.
It is not just me either someone with a lot more international experience in high levels of security including as a consultant in dangerous areas, yet when back here for a break his experience is ignored & gets offered work as a guard only.
CBD business owner shows their lack of knowledge of real security where the likes of myself practice it. Many even more highly skilled security operators than myself have returned to NZ to again head offshore because of the lack of recognition of real security experience & knowledge.
I had warned that NZ was not ready for a terrorist attack(still isn't it needs to start practising proactive security again to counter terrorist attacks) or in that matter as has shown a large natural disaster. We practice procedures that are just not relevant in a real large emergency situation but can't get out of that mindset.
CBD business owner claims I miss the point. It is definitely the other way around. Effective security could be provided & not at the cost they are looking at. Yes it would cost but it is right now. Having been part of the military involved in emergencies, I know that any use of the military has to be paid for. Yes someone is billed for the military providing manpower(surprised me too when I first learned of it during an emergency).
Private security would cost less in the long run. That is why PSD's are used so much in Iraq & Afghanistan. Why the UN is considering using PSD's for intervention. As they free the military up from some tasks & though well paid actually cost less than having a standing army. It is what NZ will have to look at with recent military cutbacks.
It is quite evident from their rant that the only big mouth with a small mind(their words) is this CBD business owner. The cordon is not a controlled worksite but a security cordon. Typical New Zealand small minded thinking here. I know they will be under stress having a business there but they need to deal with the facts not the myth put out there.
Just because they have never been exposed to real security is no reason to try to shoot the messenger.
As stated & again they miss the point, my last post did not show any weaknesses in the system not already known. In fact it was breached again today but the person was not removed or seen by the volunteers or police but by a worker in the Red Zone. Before they comment they need to learn to read.
The point is their business like everyone elses is not secure. Despite the assurances given they are.
If you are not prepared to put your name to a comment it will not be published especially if a rant based on myth not facts.
www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Monday, July 11, 2011
So is it Fraud or sheer incompetence by Government Department?
Kia Ora,
Well in follow up to a recent post about the new security licensing regime here in New Zealand have noticed something else that are in the process of bringing to authorities attention.
Whilst everyone is heated up over the poor renewal process, overlooked has been the fees area.
Now the first part that appears could be fraudulent is the issue of transfer fees. Most would say but we have always had to pay transfer fees.
Yes there have always been transfer fees to transfer a COA(Certificate of Approval) from one license holder to another. Under the new regime though the COA belongs to the guard so therefore there is no one to transfer the COA too.
The other issue that appears to be fraud by double dipping is the fee licence holders are to pay for the number of COA's working for them.
It actually flies in the face of how security works in New Zealand especially in the crowd control area.
To have enough work people need to in the New Zealand Security industry work for several companies at the same time.
Now if you were licensed under the old system with a COA you needed to ask permission of the license holder to do so & in the crowd control area you didn't need to have a COA at all.
Crowd control has been until now a core group who have security as their livelihood & a lot of on call people for bigger events. When short it has been use recruitment agencies to supply what are effectively labourers, or groups such as martial arts clubs or sports clubs as way of fund raising. None of whom really know what they are doing in sometimes potentially quite dangerous situations.
Under the new system the guard holds the COA & therefore could be working (as I was in the early days with my own individual licence as opposed to a COA) as an employee for up to six companies. So when the Ministry of Justice wants a return of those working for a license holder the Ministry could be collecting the same fee six times over for one person. Effectively committing a form of fraud called double dipping.
Removal of the ability to work for several companies at a time would cause major issues as it would effectively mean many events would not be able to go ahead. New Zealand already operates in the security sphere well below par & this would just drive it down even further.
If they want revenue gathering ideas they are better to look at the training regime.
First point is get ETITO(better known as EIEIO because they are a joke) out of security industry involvement. They don't know anything about security or training.
Next remove the minimum four month course for funding requirements. Put in an effective system for recognition of prior learning &/or experience. That is much better than present system where those with less experience or training are often assessing those with more.
That would allow a three week base security course to be set up using military system of training (BHL/BHE) as it works for a practical industry. In fact I have seen it used in current system & those who come from courses using it are much higher in level of competency.
Following the three week basic course it would then be followed by the courses in areas you wish to work in. Some courses would only be one to two days.
Each new area can be endorsed on your records since the actual COA is no longer a card but a certificate. The photo ID has a number which police etc could check through the computer system.
Overall recent issues show the lack of real consultation or understanding of the industry by those who put the legislation together or are trying to implement it.
www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Well in follow up to a recent post about the new security licensing regime here in New Zealand have noticed something else that are in the process of bringing to authorities attention.
Whilst everyone is heated up over the poor renewal process, overlooked has been the fees area.
Now the first part that appears could be fraudulent is the issue of transfer fees. Most would say but we have always had to pay transfer fees.
Yes there have always been transfer fees to transfer a COA(Certificate of Approval) from one license holder to another. Under the new regime though the COA belongs to the guard so therefore there is no one to transfer the COA too.
The other issue that appears to be fraud by double dipping is the fee licence holders are to pay for the number of COA's working for them.
It actually flies in the face of how security works in New Zealand especially in the crowd control area.
To have enough work people need to in the New Zealand Security industry work for several companies at the same time.
Now if you were licensed under the old system with a COA you needed to ask permission of the license holder to do so & in the crowd control area you didn't need to have a COA at all.
Crowd control has been until now a core group who have security as their livelihood & a lot of on call people for bigger events. When short it has been use recruitment agencies to supply what are effectively labourers, or groups such as martial arts clubs or sports clubs as way of fund raising. None of whom really know what they are doing in sometimes potentially quite dangerous situations.
Under the new system the guard holds the COA & therefore could be working (as I was in the early days with my own individual licence as opposed to a COA) as an employee for up to six companies. So when the Ministry of Justice wants a return of those working for a license holder the Ministry could be collecting the same fee six times over for one person. Effectively committing a form of fraud called double dipping.
Removal of the ability to work for several companies at a time would cause major issues as it would effectively mean many events would not be able to go ahead. New Zealand already operates in the security sphere well below par & this would just drive it down even further.
If they want revenue gathering ideas they are better to look at the training regime.
First point is get ETITO(better known as EIEIO because they are a joke) out of security industry involvement. They don't know anything about security or training.
Next remove the minimum four month course for funding requirements. Put in an effective system for recognition of prior learning &/or experience. That is much better than present system where those with less experience or training are often assessing those with more.
That would allow a three week base security course to be set up using military system of training (BHL/BHE) as it works for a practical industry. In fact I have seen it used in current system & those who come from courses using it are much higher in level of competency.
Following the three week basic course it would then be followed by the courses in areas you wish to work in. Some courses would only be one to two days.
Each new area can be endorsed on your records since the actual COA is no longer a card but a certificate. The photo ID has a number which police etc could check through the computer system.
Overall recent issues show the lack of real consultation or understanding of the industry by those who put the legislation together or are trying to implement it.
www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Who can you Trust?
Kia Ora,
Over the last few years New Zealand government departments have been embarrassed by people in high positions being exposed for having falsified their CV's.
A recent investigation made the comment that basic procedures had not been followed.
Probably the biggest issue though is bureaucrats sticking to a system that has been shown to be flawed. That is the use of referees. Government departments stick to this like glue, but in reality it is so easy to manipulate.
Several years ago whilst at a seminar a leading member of the recruitment industry made just this point. Your referee is always someone who is going to say the best about you & easy to set up someone who will actually be in on any lies you put in your CV.
Personally if I am required to provide referees I use ex army mates as I know they will give honest answers even if that means I might miss out on something. A CV & most referees can never actually tell you how someone will be in the position.
A good point the person from the recruitment industry made was see if you know the businesses in the CV & ring them or someone in that industry. Get a warts & all appraisal.
It is that warts & all that any security style check needs to know. Not what courses you can put on paper.
Have said it before there are many coming out of courses who have little actual knowledge of security or any other industry. The education system is dumbing people down so any paper work is worthless when looking at what a person can provide for the employer.
The Essential Guide to Recruitment: How to Conduct Great Interviews and Select the Best Employees
For the security industry it should be the ability to think for yourself, honesty & lack of drug use. It is an industry where experience will teach you more after an initial base training.
Government departments it should be how efficient you are, how you can think for yourself & again how honest you are.
In the latest high profile situation the actual work face members of that department(the military)should of had a greater say than they obviously did in the employment of this particular individual.
Due to a yearly exchange of personnel across the ranks structure, exercises & other commitments the New Zealand Military has a lot of contacts within the British Military system that should of exposed this person as a fraud a lot sooner.
Recruiting with Social Media: Social Media's Impact on Recruitment and HR
That information would of been coming from people they trust. It is obvious now that any referees must of been in on the scam because it was nothing else but a scam.
Despite all this on going problems with recruiting in particular offshore qualifications & experience government departments are still going down the 'referee' road when it quite obviously is open to major abuse. This creates security issues that need to be sorted.
You know how much you can trust someone you actually know. As opposed to a nameless person on the end of the phone or these days computer.
How do you know that the person you are talking too is not the person applying?
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Over the last few years New Zealand government departments have been embarrassed by people in high positions being exposed for having falsified their CV's.
A recent investigation made the comment that basic procedures had not been followed.
Probably the biggest issue though is bureaucrats sticking to a system that has been shown to be flawed. That is the use of referees. Government departments stick to this like glue, but in reality it is so easy to manipulate.
Several years ago whilst at a seminar a leading member of the recruitment industry made just this point. Your referee is always someone who is going to say the best about you & easy to set up someone who will actually be in on any lies you put in your CV.
Personally if I am required to provide referees I use ex army mates as I know they will give honest answers even if that means I might miss out on something. A CV & most referees can never actually tell you how someone will be in the position.
A good point the person from the recruitment industry made was see if you know the businesses in the CV & ring them or someone in that industry. Get a warts & all appraisal.
It is that warts & all that any security style check needs to know. Not what courses you can put on paper.
Have said it before there are many coming out of courses who have little actual knowledge of security or any other industry. The education system is dumbing people down so any paper work is worthless when looking at what a person can provide for the employer.
The Essential Guide to Recruitment: How to Conduct Great Interviews and Select the Best Employees
For the security industry it should be the ability to think for yourself, honesty & lack of drug use. It is an industry where experience will teach you more after an initial base training.
Government departments it should be how efficient you are, how you can think for yourself & again how honest you are.
In the latest high profile situation the actual work face members of that department(the military)should of had a greater say than they obviously did in the employment of this particular individual.
Due to a yearly exchange of personnel across the ranks structure, exercises & other commitments the New Zealand Military has a lot of contacts within the British Military system that should of exposed this person as a fraud a lot sooner.
Recruiting with Social Media: Social Media's Impact on Recruitment and HR
That information would of been coming from people they trust. It is obvious now that any referees must of been in on the scam because it was nothing else but a scam.
Despite all this on going problems with recruiting in particular offshore qualifications & experience government departments are still going down the 'referee' road when it quite obviously is open to major abuse. This creates security issues that need to be sorted.
You know how much you can trust someone you actually know. As opposed to a nameless person on the end of the phone or these days computer.
How do you know that the person you are talking too is not the person applying?
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Leadership lacking yet again!
Kia Ora,
As I said in my last post some people don't think I should be criticizing people around the earthquake response right now.
But it needs to be now because there are so many instances where poor leadership or organization is showing along with the lack of flexibility.
I highlighted the lack of leadership in the aftermath of the September earthquake where everyone spent all the time patting themselves on the back & learnt no lessons.
I was incredulous to hear the head of Civil Defence say that Sunday March 6th would be the first time he had been in the Eastern Suburbs since the 22nd February earthquake. Poor leadership too busy looking for the media soundbites is what one person called what has been going on.
One of the positions I held during my military career was regimental signaller(infantry battalion signals platoon) so spent times in a command post, company commanders signaller, step up & finally the commanding officers signaller.
At all levels from company up it is the lower level commanders who fought the battle whilst the commander above was in behind the scenes looking at it from the bigger picture & to exploit opportunities. A great strength of Rommel.
In this situation in Christchurch the head of Civil Defence should of been out on the ground seeing what the real damage was from the start or shortly after recce teams had reported in. It was six days after that Civil defence showed up to get on the ground information from the intrepid Bernie(& got an earful from me as well). There seemed to be no real idea of what the situation was on the ground. That has continued as decisions made do not reflect local issues.
The Mayor very aware of the lack of reaction to the situation in the suburbs on September the 4th 2010 said they had to start getting out there quite early. Problem was that was not happening in reality.
An issue that has arisen is the TV & use of the internet. Now obviously right from the start I have had power, water & the internet so all the information passed over on TV or the internet is good. It just hasn't been getting to the places out east where it is needed or targeted at.
When I accompanied Bernie on Friday I think it was(you lose track of the days), was able to pass on the information of a meeting Sunday at Cuthberts Green for those in the suburbs we were working in mainly that day. The timing given was 10am & no one had heard about this meeting. On Saturday when checking for any update to get my vehicle out of cordon noticed the time for that meeting had changed to 6pm on the website. Today it went ahead at 10am as it seems finally someone realized that people in that area had no power so could not access(if they already did as this is an area that is likely to have low access to the internet in the first place) the internet, TV & in many cases now radio as batteries go flat. Not to mention listening to the radio as I type this it keeps cutting out.
I understand from what I did get from the radio that frustration at those meetings was high.
It all looks good on the internet & on TV but the areas worst affected outside the CBD just are not getting the information.
Today it is even worse in regards to the CBD. The cordons are been reduced but there is so much confusion over the information & still how to access areas within the red zone is not sorted out. A lot of that could be sorted simply with some leadership. Yes your business, vehicle etc are OK. Be at this point at this time & you will be escorted into retrieve this. You will have this amount of time.
For Christchurch to recover needs cash flow & businesses working again. At the present time it is all been hindered. Another issue with this is local businesses are missing out as the bigger companies instead of using the locals in a subcontract role are bringing in their own people from outside the district. It is putting extra pressure on the infrastructure but again is also lessening the local cash flow so hampering any recovery. Less work for locals then more frustration & anger therefore more crime.
The different parts need to stop giving out conflicting information & start showing some leadership. With all the conflicting information & lack of information it is the police & military that are having to deal with the frustration at ground level.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
As I said in my last post some people don't think I should be criticizing people around the earthquake response right now.
But it needs to be now because there are so many instances where poor leadership or organization is showing along with the lack of flexibility.
I highlighted the lack of leadership in the aftermath of the September earthquake where everyone spent all the time patting themselves on the back & learnt no lessons.
I was incredulous to hear the head of Civil Defence say that Sunday March 6th would be the first time he had been in the Eastern Suburbs since the 22nd February earthquake. Poor leadership too busy looking for the media soundbites is what one person called what has been going on.
One of the positions I held during my military career was regimental signaller(infantry battalion signals platoon) so spent times in a command post, company commanders signaller, step up & finally the commanding officers signaller.
At all levels from company up it is the lower level commanders who fought the battle whilst the commander above was in behind the scenes looking at it from the bigger picture & to exploit opportunities. A great strength of Rommel.
In this situation in Christchurch the head of Civil Defence should of been out on the ground seeing what the real damage was from the start or shortly after recce teams had reported in. It was six days after that Civil defence showed up to get on the ground information from the intrepid Bernie(& got an earful from me as well). There seemed to be no real idea of what the situation was on the ground. That has continued as decisions made do not reflect local issues.
The Mayor very aware of the lack of reaction to the situation in the suburbs on September the 4th 2010 said they had to start getting out there quite early. Problem was that was not happening in reality.
An issue that has arisen is the TV & use of the internet. Now obviously right from the start I have had power, water & the internet so all the information passed over on TV or the internet is good. It just hasn't been getting to the places out east where it is needed or targeted at.
When I accompanied Bernie on Friday I think it was(you lose track of the days), was able to pass on the information of a meeting Sunday at Cuthberts Green for those in the suburbs we were working in mainly that day. The timing given was 10am & no one had heard about this meeting. On Saturday when checking for any update to get my vehicle out of cordon noticed the time for that meeting had changed to 6pm on the website. Today it went ahead at 10am as it seems finally someone realized that people in that area had no power so could not access(if they already did as this is an area that is likely to have low access to the internet in the first place) the internet, TV & in many cases now radio as batteries go flat. Not to mention listening to the radio as I type this it keeps cutting out.
I understand from what I did get from the radio that frustration at those meetings was high.
It all looks good on the internet & on TV but the areas worst affected outside the CBD just are not getting the information.
Today it is even worse in regards to the CBD. The cordons are been reduced but there is so much confusion over the information & still how to access areas within the red zone is not sorted out. A lot of that could be sorted simply with some leadership. Yes your business, vehicle etc are OK. Be at this point at this time & you will be escorted into retrieve this. You will have this amount of time.
For Christchurch to recover needs cash flow & businesses working again. At the present time it is all been hindered. Another issue with this is local businesses are missing out as the bigger companies instead of using the locals in a subcontract role are bringing in their own people from outside the district. It is putting extra pressure on the infrastructure but again is also lessening the local cash flow so hampering any recovery. Less work for locals then more frustration & anger therefore more crime.
The different parts need to stop giving out conflicting information & start showing some leadership. With all the conflicting information & lack of information it is the police & military that are having to deal with the frustration at ground level.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Myth or Truth!
Kia Ora,
Been a few days as having been involved in a few debates on Facebook & jumped a ride back out to help Bernie in his realiable jeep.
The debates have essentially been around what is a persons truth & what should be said at this time.
The first has been a debate over Ken Ring & his predictions of possible earthquakes based mainly on astrology. Having read quite a bit of his information & watched the pattern of shakes since there is definitely something in it. As he says himself it is not precise & if geologists would combine their knowledge of pressure build up with that astrologers it would help towards an accurate method of prediction.
But each to their own, just for me it feels right as based on thousands of years of observations therefore despite claims to the contrary the method is scientific because at its base level science is all about observations.
Then there has been TVNZ & their lack of real investigation before putting items on TV News.
First there was the person who claimed to have run out of the Christchurch Cathedral & the doors jamming behind them. He could of run out but there is evidence that the doors were never jammed.
When I posted what we got up to the day of the earthquake Neil Smith posted a comment with a link. I had trouble with the link & initially all I got was the filming in the open door of the Cathedral as the quake struck. It ended with the camera on the ground & dust everywhere. Having gone back to try to watch it in full for me anyway it now starts at the camera on the ground showing feet going past so that must of been people getting out.
But the extended footage at different times(its not continious) shows the door of the Cathedral remains open right until the police were telling people to move to Hagley park. In fact the first time I saw the doors shut was when I got home after helping the police on the cordon & turned on the TV.
So that casts questions over his account.
But then next night after ringing them to question his statement TVNZ have basically called me a liar by saying security cameras saw no one in the Cathedral. The cameras would of seen nothing as the dust was so thick inside & out that when we first went in stopped at the door as I said in original post & yelled for people to come to me as couldn't see in apart from hole in roof.
Other parts I didn't put in original post was I know for sure the Israeli woman came in with me & we got about ten people moving out. I was aware of a third person coming in a bit with us & now think that was the Israeli male who was a paramedic.
When the Cathedral staff member had re entered as the people we got moving left the Israeli woman said she thought there were people under some rubble by the tower as she could hear someone. Initially tried to pass the information at the police Kiosk then a quick look at injured(all had head injuries) seeing no police went to where I could see a jacket. Bumped into St John making way in & directed them to casualities(even then there were so many people just standing around in a daze & they were having to push through).
Found a police officer by the banks unfortunately with no radio as had been on another task. When we headed back found a police officer from Kiosk trying to help get woman down from window.
Myself & the Israeli paramedic tried to help with the woman stuck upstairs but the police didn't want help It was then I went looking for something else to do & noticed people posing by damaged parts of Cathedral for photos.
This all happened very quickly.
It was whilst posting myself near the entrance to keep people away that I saw the Israeli woman re enter the Cathedral several times including once with hard hat on & very angry. At the time we thought the cries she could hear were those of the the woman in upper window. The insurance person who came with ladder to rescue the woman in window later stepped into the open door of the Cathedral twice but maintained he could not hear anyone.
During that time keeping people away spoke to two staff members from the Cathedral. The one who has come in as we were clearing people out & another younger male who came out through doors later. It was him that pointed out that not only did people need to be kept away from Cathedral entrance but side was on a lean as well. More people posing for photos.
As you can see the initial post was long enough without adding in all those bits. Those that know me will tell you one of my traits is I don't lie but are brutually honest often to my own detriment so I don't take kindly to TVNZ basically calling me a liar as it did happen the way I describe.
Where we heros?
I don't think so just did what so many people did that day & had to do whilst so many others froze or went into denial.
The Israelis with what they have experienced in their country(same would be said of many including Palestinians) like myself with military training & time spent in Iraq just were able to mentally handle it better than most New Zealanders & react.
The other thing I noticed on finally returning home was footage of what appeared to be the Israeli paramedic been led away by police. With the Israeli background they just wanted to get in & help which saves lives. A war zone can be like an earthquake zone as you don't know when the next one is coming just like the big one that has just hit as I type. It was a very good wee shake. One of only three to knock things over in my place.
Another issue where the myth is seperated from the truth is the issue of portaloos here in Christchurch. Going out again with the intrepid Bernie we were joined by a friend of his with cameras. Alex was not happy with the response overall just like many haven't been & made the point that his area had had water back on within 12 hours but has a lot of portaloos in the area which really they don't need.
Having said this, when going to get some needed supplies we noticed a lot of portaloos in an area including businesses where water was known to be back on & flushing of toilets were allowed in a limited manner. The only people near one portaloo where those in a cemetry. We also noticed in parts that Portaloos were often on the sides of what apppeared to be empty business sections whilst the other side of the road with all the residential properties had nothing for Kilometres.
Where in the areas that due to their location you know are going to be without for months they were only just starting to get one or two dotted about. This is the sort of knowledge that should be allowing the city to cope better by re allocating resources as needed.
Chemical toilets are been handed out. I have one for security tasks & have had it about two years. But straight away people have noticed the ones coming in only have a small hole & any movements have to be poked down with a stick.
Then there is the Myth the Prime Minister is promoting. Can't see him staying too long in badly hit areas as when someone pointed out it was probably his Iroquois flying slowly overhead some made motions of shooting it down they were so upset with the poor response.
People don't think I should be hitting these areas that are not working on here but it is a way to get the frustration out. It is either that or get angry like many others are.
Whilst those that appear to be in charge are telling themselves myths, the truth is things are not as good as they are saying.
It doesn't help when the Minister in charge & the Mayor are contradicitng each other over the demolition of Historic buildings. Personally I think many of them should of been dozed after the first big shake but as the mayor found once the emergency regulations are removed there is a lot of feeling in retaining the old buildings.
One has been demolished, with comments from the Mayor it was illegal demolition. A relation trying to make their way home on the 22nd February said was leaning & a police officer was trying to keep people from going in the left turning lane as it looked like the building was going to collapse. I see the demolition company says it was told to do it by the council. So the left hand does not Knowing what the right hand is doing.
Then it is announced that there will be a plan to get people into their businesses or cars, first in 48 hours then in 24 hours & when nothing is forthcoming the site with information crahses from people trying to find out. When they announce that plan it is totally contradictory to that originally announced with green & red zones where you still can't get in whilst you know other businesses are getting their vehicles out of the same building.
People can say we need to look forward or things are not happening the way I & others are seeing it. With more quite good shakes like the one about 20 minutes ago we need to get our responses in order. We need to have this overall picture better sorted. Many of those trying to do a good job are not gaining the local information of where best to deploy the resources which is causing some who have come to help just going home.
I know on several occassions when Bernie has supplied some local information we have gained it has been a surprise. Others are just collecting goods donated but not getting out & finding out what is needed in their own community. Instead expecting people to come to them when they have no idea they have these resources.
Many times people are doing well but they are only seeing what is in front of them or not seeing the bigger picture.
Today is an example. It was mentioned on TV about a week ago that the river needed to be looked at. As of yesterday the lower Avon was still full of liquifaction & right now it is pissing down with rain(which probably caused the slipping of plates causing the most recent shocks) so with water still on roads in lower areas this rain & partially blocked rivers there is likely to be flooding to add to the worries. Most of the water we came across in the lower areas contained sewerage so potentially more health issues.
We are still doing things in the same narrow minded slow response developed by bureaucrats. For those of us who worked in Iraq in 2004-2006 you saw the US military working in this fashion in response to suicide bombers to start with & by the time I left their response had speed up so to keep things moving. Instead of lock down for sometimes days(the Iraqis noticed it too & remarked on it compared to the British reaction) it changed to secure that section & cleared within hours.
As I often say we are a fourth world country. Third world trying to pretend we are first world. The response to this is like a third world country at the decision making end.
A lot of the good work going on is been provided by individuals & businesses at no charge(not to mention the emergency services, military & rescue teams) but there are some sitting back to profit from it. All the good work though is not been complimented by good leadership despite what we see on TV. It was a complaint Alex made that nothing seems to get done until it is set up for soundbites.
To top it off some international media are reporting as an aside that the IMF(International Monetary Fund) is due in New Zealand next week to downgrade New Zealands Credit rating. If that happens any currency borrowed to fund the rebuild will be more expensive therefore it will flow onto those at the bottom in particular.
Actions & decisions have to be made quicker. That is the reality not the myth others are living with. Information needs to be gained at a local level not because it ticks some box.
The Christchurch 'Press' are now reporting the same reactions I have on this blog. It is all about getting to know the community.
It needs to be better or people are going to die from disease. Others from lessons we don't seem to be learning.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Been a few days as having been involved in a few debates on Facebook & jumped a ride back out to help Bernie in his realiable jeep.
The debates have essentially been around what is a persons truth & what should be said at this time.
The first has been a debate over Ken Ring & his predictions of possible earthquakes based mainly on astrology. Having read quite a bit of his information & watched the pattern of shakes since there is definitely something in it. As he says himself it is not precise & if geologists would combine their knowledge of pressure build up with that astrologers it would help towards an accurate method of prediction.
But each to their own, just for me it feels right as based on thousands of years of observations therefore despite claims to the contrary the method is scientific because at its base level science is all about observations.
Then there has been TVNZ & their lack of real investigation before putting items on TV News.
First there was the person who claimed to have run out of the Christchurch Cathedral & the doors jamming behind them. He could of run out but there is evidence that the doors were never jammed.
When I posted what we got up to the day of the earthquake Neil Smith posted a comment with a link. I had trouble with the link & initially all I got was the filming in the open door of the Cathedral as the quake struck. It ended with the camera on the ground & dust everywhere. Having gone back to try to watch it in full for me anyway it now starts at the camera on the ground showing feet going past so that must of been people getting out.
But the extended footage at different times(its not continious) shows the door of the Cathedral remains open right until the police were telling people to move to Hagley park. In fact the first time I saw the doors shut was when I got home after helping the police on the cordon & turned on the TV.
So that casts questions over his account.
But then next night after ringing them to question his statement TVNZ have basically called me a liar by saying security cameras saw no one in the Cathedral. The cameras would of seen nothing as the dust was so thick inside & out that when we first went in stopped at the door as I said in original post & yelled for people to come to me as couldn't see in apart from hole in roof.
Other parts I didn't put in original post was I know for sure the Israeli woman came in with me & we got about ten people moving out. I was aware of a third person coming in a bit with us & now think that was the Israeli male who was a paramedic.
When the Cathedral staff member had re entered as the people we got moving left the Israeli woman said she thought there were people under some rubble by the tower as she could hear someone. Initially tried to pass the information at the police Kiosk then a quick look at injured(all had head injuries) seeing no police went to where I could see a jacket. Bumped into St John making way in & directed them to casualities(even then there were so many people just standing around in a daze & they were having to push through).
Found a police officer by the banks unfortunately with no radio as had been on another task. When we headed back found a police officer from Kiosk trying to help get woman down from window.
Myself & the Israeli paramedic tried to help with the woman stuck upstairs but the police didn't want help It was then I went looking for something else to do & noticed people posing by damaged parts of Cathedral for photos.
This all happened very quickly.
It was whilst posting myself near the entrance to keep people away that I saw the Israeli woman re enter the Cathedral several times including once with hard hat on & very angry. At the time we thought the cries she could hear were those of the the woman in upper window. The insurance person who came with ladder to rescue the woman in window later stepped into the open door of the Cathedral twice but maintained he could not hear anyone.
During that time keeping people away spoke to two staff members from the Cathedral. The one who has come in as we were clearing people out & another younger male who came out through doors later. It was him that pointed out that not only did people need to be kept away from Cathedral entrance but side was on a lean as well. More people posing for photos.
As you can see the initial post was long enough without adding in all those bits. Those that know me will tell you one of my traits is I don't lie but are brutually honest often to my own detriment so I don't take kindly to TVNZ basically calling me a liar as it did happen the way I describe.
Where we heros?
I don't think so just did what so many people did that day & had to do whilst so many others froze or went into denial.
The Israelis with what they have experienced in their country(same would be said of many including Palestinians) like myself with military training & time spent in Iraq just were able to mentally handle it better than most New Zealanders & react.
The other thing I noticed on finally returning home was footage of what appeared to be the Israeli paramedic been led away by police. With the Israeli background they just wanted to get in & help which saves lives. A war zone can be like an earthquake zone as you don't know when the next one is coming just like the big one that has just hit as I type. It was a very good wee shake. One of only three to knock things over in my place.
Another issue where the myth is seperated from the truth is the issue of portaloos here in Christchurch. Going out again with the intrepid Bernie we were joined by a friend of his with cameras. Alex was not happy with the response overall just like many haven't been & made the point that his area had had water back on within 12 hours but has a lot of portaloos in the area which really they don't need.
Having said this, when going to get some needed supplies we noticed a lot of portaloos in an area including businesses where water was known to be back on & flushing of toilets were allowed in a limited manner. The only people near one portaloo where those in a cemetry. We also noticed in parts that Portaloos were often on the sides of what apppeared to be empty business sections whilst the other side of the road with all the residential properties had nothing for Kilometres.
Where in the areas that due to their location you know are going to be without for months they were only just starting to get one or two dotted about. This is the sort of knowledge that should be allowing the city to cope better by re allocating resources as needed.
Chemical toilets are been handed out. I have one for security tasks & have had it about two years. But straight away people have noticed the ones coming in only have a small hole & any movements have to be poked down with a stick.
Then there is the Myth the Prime Minister is promoting. Can't see him staying too long in badly hit areas as when someone pointed out it was probably his Iroquois flying slowly overhead some made motions of shooting it down they were so upset with the poor response.
People don't think I should be hitting these areas that are not working on here but it is a way to get the frustration out. It is either that or get angry like many others are.
Whilst those that appear to be in charge are telling themselves myths, the truth is things are not as good as they are saying.
It doesn't help when the Minister in charge & the Mayor are contradicitng each other over the demolition of Historic buildings. Personally I think many of them should of been dozed after the first big shake but as the mayor found once the emergency regulations are removed there is a lot of feeling in retaining the old buildings.
One has been demolished, with comments from the Mayor it was illegal demolition. A relation trying to make their way home on the 22nd February said was leaning & a police officer was trying to keep people from going in the left turning lane as it looked like the building was going to collapse. I see the demolition company says it was told to do it by the council. So the left hand does not Knowing what the right hand is doing.
Then it is announced that there will be a plan to get people into their businesses or cars, first in 48 hours then in 24 hours & when nothing is forthcoming the site with information crahses from people trying to find out. When they announce that plan it is totally contradictory to that originally announced with green & red zones where you still can't get in whilst you know other businesses are getting their vehicles out of the same building.
People can say we need to look forward or things are not happening the way I & others are seeing it. With more quite good shakes like the one about 20 minutes ago we need to get our responses in order. We need to have this overall picture better sorted. Many of those trying to do a good job are not gaining the local information of where best to deploy the resources which is causing some who have come to help just going home.
I know on several occassions when Bernie has supplied some local information we have gained it has been a surprise. Others are just collecting goods donated but not getting out & finding out what is needed in their own community. Instead expecting people to come to them when they have no idea they have these resources.
Many times people are doing well but they are only seeing what is in front of them or not seeing the bigger picture.
Today is an example. It was mentioned on TV about a week ago that the river needed to be looked at. As of yesterday the lower Avon was still full of liquifaction & right now it is pissing down with rain(which probably caused the slipping of plates causing the most recent shocks) so with water still on roads in lower areas this rain & partially blocked rivers there is likely to be flooding to add to the worries. Most of the water we came across in the lower areas contained sewerage so potentially more health issues.
We are still doing things in the same narrow minded slow response developed by bureaucrats. For those of us who worked in Iraq in 2004-2006 you saw the US military working in this fashion in response to suicide bombers to start with & by the time I left their response had speed up so to keep things moving. Instead of lock down for sometimes days(the Iraqis noticed it too & remarked on it compared to the British reaction) it changed to secure that section & cleared within hours.
As I often say we are a fourth world country. Third world trying to pretend we are first world. The response to this is like a third world country at the decision making end.
A lot of the good work going on is been provided by individuals & businesses at no charge(not to mention the emergency services, military & rescue teams) but there are some sitting back to profit from it. All the good work though is not been complimented by good leadership despite what we see on TV. It was a complaint Alex made that nothing seems to get done until it is set up for soundbites.
To top it off some international media are reporting as an aside that the IMF(International Monetary Fund) is due in New Zealand next week to downgrade New Zealands Credit rating. If that happens any currency borrowed to fund the rebuild will be more expensive therefore it will flow onto those at the bottom in particular.
Actions & decisions have to be made quicker. That is the reality not the myth others are living with. Information needs to be gained at a local level not because it ticks some box.
The Christchurch 'Press' are now reporting the same reactions I have on this blog. It is all about getting to know the community.
It needs to be better or people are going to die from disease. Others from lessons we don't seem to be learning.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Another day another disaster!
Kia Ora,
What a day & night it has been. Carried out another job I am doing on a part time basis then headed into Christchurch city centre for an interview over the new Security Personnel & Private Investigators Act 2010. Was going to take the bus but decided to take my vehicle which is now stranded in the centre of the city.
If you are not sure what the situation is Christchurch New Zealand was struck by a second large earthquake in six months but this time it has led to fatalities.
What I will be writing about is my experience of the day so it will be a long post with some comments on my observations. Also based on comments from others during the day.
When the quake struck was about to use an ATM(since they are all down now it would of been nice to get in two minutes earlier but sh.t happens). Instantly you knew it was a big one coming, but as several others have commented many though froze or ran into the most dangerous areas. Right from the start some people took charge by virtually ordering people to do things or they were doing nothing. Managed to get some people moving in direction I was towards square. Luckily not too fast as part of Cathedral collapsed in front of us.
Joined the first really good person I met on the day. Young Israeli woman who obviously had a bit of experience in rescue type situations. I stopped at the door to the Cathedral, as you just could not see due to dust & there was a worry about the rest of the roof coming down. So initially yelled for people to come towards us. Young Israeli woman says no we will have to go in so we went in yelling, as any firemen will tell you, as the dust cleared we started to notice people in all sorts of place & had to basically order people out. As we got the last of about ten people out a staff member arrived & says to stop yelling.
But as I say you through out the day virutally had to order a lot of people as they went on auto pilot or in shock so you needed to get them moving.
Shortly after that it was noticed despite the situation that people were walking or posing for photos beside the leaning parts of the Cathedral. So with another good person who appeared that day, a young guy from City Care, who managed to find a bull horn we assisted the police to first keep people back from the Cathedral then move them out of the city centre.
The police were awesome there just weren't enough of them. Once the Square was clear we were asked to leave as well, but when we got to the outer edge of the cordon we found the police trying to move on large numbers of people who were trying to get back in or refusing to move further. Together we helped move them back over the bridge then joined the police on the cordon.
Again police were awesome as were the fire service who with no water to fight fires with took to checking out buildings were empty. Of course the Ambulance service were covering what they could, but also police cars were used as makeshift ambulances.
But at the cordon we began to have to deal with the anger. Now previously I have posted about the building anger & frustration which at recent earthquakes overseas has boiled over in riots, violence & crime quicker due to deaths.
There are a number of images that come to mind.
First in the Square just the amount of stunned looks & crying. Then when first on the cordon, after we had pushed everyone back & directed them to Hagley park processing centre or the Art Gallery if they wanted to help, a guy coming up on seeing the damage to the Cathedral down the street just burst into tears & couldn't stop.
Then the two angry guys. Well there were three but one was an idiot.
The first was an angry husband who was threatening to get in anyway he could to find his wife. Like many others they were coming back from where us & the police were told to direct them to to get information to say there was no information.
Next was the young boy on a bike angry at been sent here there & everywhere who could not find his parents. Unfortunately at the time we were dealing again with a lot of people trying to get through so cound't afford him much time but to turn him back.
Then the idiot. drunk turned away several times who wanted to get his car. In the end the police had to remove him, but they didn't want to clog up the cells so had to take him home in the country.
Oh forgot the other idiot. The one who in the middle of all this pulled a pistol on someone in another part of the city so police had to arm up & go find this w....r.
An elderly couple decided they needed to go to the toilet so decided to try to use a damaged empty building & also had to be ordered out by the police.
Finally we got the highly experienced helpers(not to mention the groups of well meaning helpers usually with shovels who were also frustrated), like a group of cavers, who just had enough of waiting to help & came like many others to the cordon to see if they could help were frustrated & angry over the disorganization.
It appears of all the groups involved the one that didn't learn much from the previous earthquake were Civil Defence. Having been part of Civil Defence & seeing them operate during the last earthquake there are too many people that don't want to make decisions.
Personally I think it is time to maybe scrap civil defence & use the army in its place. On a previous emergency whilst part of the army just a little military tip helped streamline a civil defence response. The difference is the military use this system all the time & can be set up quickly to provide effective command control & most of all effective use of resources. Though Civil Defence search & rescue teams were well drilled.
Once the police didn't require our services anymore had to walk home in the rain but that is a minor discomfort compared to what has happened. But some of the idiotic driving seen on the way home was beyond belief. Then a young guy named Mike stopped & gave me a lift home. He was on the way to comfort his ex girlfriend as she had rung very upset & not handling it. He was one of those good people who made a little difference.
Why do some people get in & do things when others stop or are in shock? I know in my case it is just what you do & that great training from the New Zealand army helps big time. But it is also experiences like working in Iraq.
In fact when a reporter asked myself & the young Israeli woman why we went in & then was it a worry. "Not really worked in Iraq & this young lady is from Israel so to us it is just like another day".
Experience counts but there are also others who just naturally just get stuck in & help as best they can.
One of those recently called themself a loser. He is not a loser, he gives his all to help others. That is the type of person whom we identify with as a real Kiwi. A person that will get on & make the best of what gets thrown at him.
www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
What a day & night it has been. Carried out another job I am doing on a part time basis then headed into Christchurch city centre for an interview over the new Security Personnel & Private Investigators Act 2010. Was going to take the bus but decided to take my vehicle which is now stranded in the centre of the city.
If you are not sure what the situation is Christchurch New Zealand was struck by a second large earthquake in six months but this time it has led to fatalities.
What I will be writing about is my experience of the day so it will be a long post with some comments on my observations. Also based on comments from others during the day.
When the quake struck was about to use an ATM(since they are all down now it would of been nice to get in two minutes earlier but sh.t happens). Instantly you knew it was a big one coming, but as several others have commented many though froze or ran into the most dangerous areas. Right from the start some people took charge by virtually ordering people to do things or they were doing nothing. Managed to get some people moving in direction I was towards square. Luckily not too fast as part of Cathedral collapsed in front of us.
Joined the first really good person I met on the day. Young Israeli woman who obviously had a bit of experience in rescue type situations. I stopped at the door to the Cathedral, as you just could not see due to dust & there was a worry about the rest of the roof coming down. So initially yelled for people to come towards us. Young Israeli woman says no we will have to go in so we went in yelling, as any firemen will tell you, as the dust cleared we started to notice people in all sorts of place & had to basically order people out. As we got the last of about ten people out a staff member arrived & says to stop yelling.
But as I say you through out the day virutally had to order a lot of people as they went on auto pilot or in shock so you needed to get them moving.
Shortly after that it was noticed despite the situation that people were walking or posing for photos beside the leaning parts of the Cathedral. So with another good person who appeared that day, a young guy from City Care, who managed to find a bull horn we assisted the police to first keep people back from the Cathedral then move them out of the city centre.
The police were awesome there just weren't enough of them. Once the Square was clear we were asked to leave as well, but when we got to the outer edge of the cordon we found the police trying to move on large numbers of people who were trying to get back in or refusing to move further. Together we helped move them back over the bridge then joined the police on the cordon.
Again police were awesome as were the fire service who with no water to fight fires with took to checking out buildings were empty. Of course the Ambulance service were covering what they could, but also police cars were used as makeshift ambulances.
But at the cordon we began to have to deal with the anger. Now previously I have posted about the building anger & frustration which at recent earthquakes overseas has boiled over in riots, violence & crime quicker due to deaths.
There are a number of images that come to mind.
First in the Square just the amount of stunned looks & crying. Then when first on the cordon, after we had pushed everyone back & directed them to Hagley park processing centre or the Art Gallery if they wanted to help, a guy coming up on seeing the damage to the Cathedral down the street just burst into tears & couldn't stop.
Then the two angry guys. Well there were three but one was an idiot.
The first was an angry husband who was threatening to get in anyway he could to find his wife. Like many others they were coming back from where us & the police were told to direct them to to get information to say there was no information.
Next was the young boy on a bike angry at been sent here there & everywhere who could not find his parents. Unfortunately at the time we were dealing again with a lot of people trying to get through so cound't afford him much time but to turn him back.
Then the idiot. drunk turned away several times who wanted to get his car. In the end the police had to remove him, but they didn't want to clog up the cells so had to take him home in the country.
Oh forgot the other idiot. The one who in the middle of all this pulled a pistol on someone in another part of the city so police had to arm up & go find this w....r.
An elderly couple decided they needed to go to the toilet so decided to try to use a damaged empty building & also had to be ordered out by the police.
Finally we got the highly experienced helpers(not to mention the groups of well meaning helpers usually with shovels who were also frustrated), like a group of cavers, who just had enough of waiting to help & came like many others to the cordon to see if they could help were frustrated & angry over the disorganization.
It appears of all the groups involved the one that didn't learn much from the previous earthquake were Civil Defence. Having been part of Civil Defence & seeing them operate during the last earthquake there are too many people that don't want to make decisions.
Personally I think it is time to maybe scrap civil defence & use the army in its place. On a previous emergency whilst part of the army just a little military tip helped streamline a civil defence response. The difference is the military use this system all the time & can be set up quickly to provide effective command control & most of all effective use of resources. Though Civil Defence search & rescue teams were well drilled.
Once the police didn't require our services anymore had to walk home in the rain but that is a minor discomfort compared to what has happened. But some of the idiotic driving seen on the way home was beyond belief. Then a young guy named Mike stopped & gave me a lift home. He was on the way to comfort his ex girlfriend as she had rung very upset & not handling it. He was one of those good people who made a little difference.
Why do some people get in & do things when others stop or are in shock? I know in my case it is just what you do & that great training from the New Zealand army helps big time. But it is also experiences like working in Iraq.
In fact when a reporter asked myself & the young Israeli woman why we went in & then was it a worry. "Not really worked in Iraq & this young lady is from Israel so to us it is just like another day".
Experience counts but there are also others who just naturally just get stuck in & help as best they can.
One of those recently called themself a loser. He is not a loser, he gives his all to help others. That is the type of person whom we identify with as a real Kiwi. A person that will get on & make the best of what gets thrown at him.
www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Saturday, February 5, 2011
No Leadership! Tell us something we don't know!
Kia Ora,
Well big drive by the Christchurch 'Press' to try to pin down where the earthquake recovery is going. The fact it seems leaderless.
It is this passing the buck, lack of action that is frustrating people & causing anger to rise.
I see also that EQC are going to review the assessments of chattels as private insurance has been giving small payments saying the house is going to be demolished from what they can see yet EQC are saying it can be fixed(from descriptions I have had Mickey Mouse style). Results in huge difference in assessments, more frustration & anger.
Normally you would say it was private insurance trying to pay as little as possible, but having been in some properties where EQC has said they can be fixed I think not. Slapping some concrete out of a bucket with a paint brush to even out the bumps in the floor I have seen done in Asia & might be acceptable in Australia(as it was recommened by an Australian I take it, it is)but it is not here & not when more large earthquakes are overdue.
Even the Mayor of Christchurch has lost his zip & fallen into line with the status quo saying different leaders are needed for different areas. But there is a need for an overall leader. Not a new one but an existing one to step up.
Now the Mayor of Christchurch & two structural engineers said quite early on in interviews that the building code had done its job & saved lives it was not there to save a building.
Straight away to me that implies like any saftey equipment such as body armour, cycle or motorcycle helmets that once used for the purpose for which they were designed they have to be replaced. So this is a rebuild not a recovery.
Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering Handbook
Instead of like Auckland or Wellington where recently Heritage buildings have been ordered demolished in hours when required Christchurch is still arguing over their merits five months later. Probably why someone asking for suggestions to get CBD going again didn't like my suggestion of bulldozing the whole lot & starting again.
By having so many 'leaders' who are as far as anyone can see showing no leadership nothing is getting done. With expected shocks to continue & even the predicted potential big shake around the 20th March 2011 (not to mention the earlier shake up around the 19th February 2011 based on the moon in Perigee) damage is worsening & showing how poor assessments are that have been done.
When green stickered(All OK) builidings have walls collapse it just tells people good shake from different direction or location can wreck anything or the initial assessments were not good enough.
Earthquake Engineering for Structural Design
All the theory in the world is great but it is the actual effect on the ground that matters.
The Minister for Earthquake Recovery is no better. He might officially live here, though for some reason wasn't here at time of the wee shake & never seems to be here except for visits as far as anyone can tell. People in his electorate are not happy. His efforts have been pitiful.
Now the Mayor of Christchurch in the aftermath of the earthquake & led up to the local body elections made a statement "I'm over democracy" or words to that effect. I would of though the current situation was right up his alley to prove his point.
Earthquake Engineering
When immediately after the main quake he had special powers & was able to get things done, but now it is committee after committee or commission & the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Commission(CERC)has no power it just recommends.
Of course a Camel is a horse designed by a committee or as one businessman I think it was said "a commitee is a place where good ideas go to die" or words to that effect.
We don't need committee's or commissions we need action.
It has got so ridiculous that one business contracted into assist with the recovery went to set up in the location recommended by the council but is now waiting on resource consent from the council to set up. The earthquake recovery act was supposed to deal with issues like that quickly, efficiently as was the minister. Both have failed!
Earthquake Damage: Inspection, Evaluation and Repair
The media are only scratching the surface of what is been passed on by concerned structural engineers as to information that is been hidden from people. It gives the impression that they are been hard on those who represent us but in reality it appears to be "you scratch my back & I will scratch your back".
So say this predicted potential big quake does hit around 20th March 2011 & this time people are killed. What then to these bureaucrats & politicians who do nothing?
I would say the anger & frustration will definitely boil over. About that time to add to the stress people's payments to cover rent(for temporary accomodation) from insurance companies is due to run out. With no word on what these people, who are paying both mortgage & rent, will get to cover this shortfall as yet many are moving back into their condemmed houses. The worsening financial crisis is making things just more difficult.
Advances in Earthquake Engineering for Urban Risk Reduction
I have said it before New Zealand has become a Risk Adverse country.
People would say to me but you are always on about Health & Saftey & Risk Assessment.
There is a difference.
In a very early blog someone criticized me for not naming the system of Risk Assessment I use. Those systems are designed to give people an excuse not to do anything.
Where as the other day I saw an editors comment about how the person whom the movie 127 hours is about is one of those persons who just ignores the risks or words to that effect.
Earthquake-resistant Concrete Structures
Actually that is the New Zealand perception been wrong again.
In business, life, the military & working in places like Iraq. It is not about ignoring the risk, it is about assessing it, mitgating it whilst still carrying on & I suspect without seeing the movie that is what this person has done. New Zealand used to be like that but not anymore. It just seems risky because people lack the knowledge or haven't weighed up the Risks.
Actually as I was typing that it reminded me of Charles Upham VC & Bar when standing on top of a truck to direct fire duirng the battle of Minqar Qaim. It looked dangerous & foolhardy to those around him, but his assessment was all the German shots were going low, so he was safer up high.
That is why people don't like my risk assessments as they see them as it will be used as a reason not to do something.
In fact I am looking at it the other way. Here is the risk, mitigate it so we can have a good event or safe society. But people here do not want to know & even when something does happen, within hours people are acting like it never happened. If you asked many of those people they would tell you it never happens in New Zealand or where they are.
I know it happened the other day within 24 hours of an armed robbery where people allowed others to enter in a manner that could very well be another armed robbery at the same location. A non New Zealand citizen did their nut at the staff for allowing it.
Risk Assessment Methods: Approaches for Assessing Health and Environmental Risks
New Zealand has become like the US Military when I first went to Iraq to work. Hint of issues or a suicide bomber they would lock down the Green Zone for sometimes days which gave the initiative back to the terrorists & insurgents(I well remember one Irishman during such a time saying he was going to pushbike to the Baghdad airport to get his plane out).
Compare that to the British reaction(& the Iraqis did) which was to flood an area after a shooting or bombing with troops on foot asking questions "What did we do wrong? Who was it?" etc. Then play a game of soccer with the kids.
Risks of been shot or blown up hadn't changed but their reaction was to try to get things moving. The British themselves observed in the end they stayed too long & lost that goodwill.
Earthquake Risk Reduction
Seems to me we are retreating inside our fortress, doing a lot of talking but nothing is getting done. New Zealanders tend not to say a lot even when things are wrong as they don't want to stand out. So if a lot of people are now talking it is time to take note & take action. Get things done!
As former Mayor Gary Moore said when questioned in one of the articles "Do I still have a sense of hope? No" & I would say that is a sentiment shared by many in Christchurch at present because there is no action & there is no leadership.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Well big drive by the Christchurch 'Press' to try to pin down where the earthquake recovery is going. The fact it seems leaderless.
It is this passing the buck, lack of action that is frustrating people & causing anger to rise.
I see also that EQC are going to review the assessments of chattels as private insurance has been giving small payments saying the house is going to be demolished from what they can see yet EQC are saying it can be fixed(from descriptions I have had Mickey Mouse style). Results in huge difference in assessments, more frustration & anger.
Normally you would say it was private insurance trying to pay as little as possible, but having been in some properties where EQC has said they can be fixed I think not. Slapping some concrete out of a bucket with a paint brush to even out the bumps in the floor I have seen done in Asia & might be acceptable in Australia(as it was recommened by an Australian I take it, it is)but it is not here & not when more large earthquakes are overdue.
Even the Mayor of Christchurch has lost his zip & fallen into line with the status quo saying different leaders are needed for different areas. But there is a need for an overall leader. Not a new one but an existing one to step up.
Now the Mayor of Christchurch & two structural engineers said quite early on in interviews that the building code had done its job & saved lives it was not there to save a building.
Straight away to me that implies like any saftey equipment such as body armour, cycle or motorcycle helmets that once used for the purpose for which they were designed they have to be replaced. So this is a rebuild not a recovery.
Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering Handbook
Instead of like Auckland or Wellington where recently Heritage buildings have been ordered demolished in hours when required Christchurch is still arguing over their merits five months later. Probably why someone asking for suggestions to get CBD going again didn't like my suggestion of bulldozing the whole lot & starting again.
By having so many 'leaders' who are as far as anyone can see showing no leadership nothing is getting done. With expected shocks to continue & even the predicted potential big shake around the 20th March 2011 (not to mention the earlier shake up around the 19th February 2011 based on the moon in Perigee) damage is worsening & showing how poor assessments are that have been done.
When green stickered(All OK) builidings have walls collapse it just tells people good shake from different direction or location can wreck anything or the initial assessments were not good enough.
Earthquake Engineering for Structural Design
All the theory in the world is great but it is the actual effect on the ground that matters.
The Minister for Earthquake Recovery is no better. He might officially live here, though for some reason wasn't here at time of the wee shake & never seems to be here except for visits as far as anyone can tell. People in his electorate are not happy. His efforts have been pitiful.
Now the Mayor of Christchurch in the aftermath of the earthquake & led up to the local body elections made a statement "I'm over democracy" or words to that effect. I would of though the current situation was right up his alley to prove his point.
Earthquake Engineering
When immediately after the main quake he had special powers & was able to get things done, but now it is committee after committee or commission & the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Commission(CERC)has no power it just recommends.
Of course a Camel is a horse designed by a committee or as one businessman I think it was said "a commitee is a place where good ideas go to die" or words to that effect.
We don't need committee's or commissions we need action.
It has got so ridiculous that one business contracted into assist with the recovery went to set up in the location recommended by the council but is now waiting on resource consent from the council to set up. The earthquake recovery act was supposed to deal with issues like that quickly, efficiently as was the minister. Both have failed!
Earthquake Damage: Inspection, Evaluation and Repair
The media are only scratching the surface of what is been passed on by concerned structural engineers as to information that is been hidden from people. It gives the impression that they are been hard on those who represent us but in reality it appears to be "you scratch my back & I will scratch your back".
So say this predicted potential big quake does hit around 20th March 2011 & this time people are killed. What then to these bureaucrats & politicians who do nothing?
I would say the anger & frustration will definitely boil over. About that time to add to the stress people's payments to cover rent(for temporary accomodation) from insurance companies is due to run out. With no word on what these people, who are paying both mortgage & rent, will get to cover this shortfall as yet many are moving back into their condemmed houses. The worsening financial crisis is making things just more difficult.
Advances in Earthquake Engineering for Urban Risk Reduction
I have said it before New Zealand has become a Risk Adverse country.
People would say to me but you are always on about Health & Saftey & Risk Assessment.
There is a difference.
In a very early blog someone criticized me for not naming the system of Risk Assessment I use. Those systems are designed to give people an excuse not to do anything.
Where as the other day I saw an editors comment about how the person whom the movie 127 hours is about is one of those persons who just ignores the risks or words to that effect.
Earthquake-resistant Concrete Structures
Actually that is the New Zealand perception been wrong again.
In business, life, the military & working in places like Iraq. It is not about ignoring the risk, it is about assessing it, mitgating it whilst still carrying on & I suspect without seeing the movie that is what this person has done. New Zealand used to be like that but not anymore. It just seems risky because people lack the knowledge or haven't weighed up the Risks.
Actually as I was typing that it reminded me of Charles Upham VC & Bar when standing on top of a truck to direct fire duirng the battle of Minqar Qaim. It looked dangerous & foolhardy to those around him, but his assessment was all the German shots were going low, so he was safer up high.
That is why people don't like my risk assessments as they see them as it will be used as a reason not to do something.
In fact I am looking at it the other way. Here is the risk, mitigate it so we can have a good event or safe society. But people here do not want to know & even when something does happen, within hours people are acting like it never happened. If you asked many of those people they would tell you it never happens in New Zealand or where they are.
I know it happened the other day within 24 hours of an armed robbery where people allowed others to enter in a manner that could very well be another armed robbery at the same location. A non New Zealand citizen did their nut at the staff for allowing it.
Risk Assessment Methods: Approaches for Assessing Health and Environmental Risks
New Zealand has become like the US Military when I first went to Iraq to work. Hint of issues or a suicide bomber they would lock down the Green Zone for sometimes days which gave the initiative back to the terrorists & insurgents(I well remember one Irishman during such a time saying he was going to pushbike to the Baghdad airport to get his plane out).
Compare that to the British reaction(& the Iraqis did) which was to flood an area after a shooting or bombing with troops on foot asking questions "What did we do wrong? Who was it?" etc. Then play a game of soccer with the kids.
Risks of been shot or blown up hadn't changed but their reaction was to try to get things moving. The British themselves observed in the end they stayed too long & lost that goodwill.
Earthquake Risk Reduction
Seems to me we are retreating inside our fortress, doing a lot of talking but nothing is getting done. New Zealanders tend not to say a lot even when things are wrong as they don't want to stand out. So if a lot of people are now talking it is time to take note & take action. Get things done!
As former Mayor Gary Moore said when questioned in one of the articles "Do I still have a sense of hope? No" & I would say that is a sentiment shared by many in Christchurch at present because there is no action & there is no leadership.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Friday, February 4, 2011
How Racist are we?
Kia Ora,
About 30 years ago there was an international prediction that New Zealand could be one of four countries where internal strife or civil war could break out in the South Pacific region. From memory it was Fiji, New Zealand & PNG with strife likely in Western Samoa.
Comment though was that in New Zealand it would not be a racial split, more on ideological grounds. For anyone that has been in the military in particular the NZ army(though I hear it is changing) we were all green. We used to (& still do when we meet) call each other by racist slang in particular around the US military who always had a problem with it. At least until they realized we never actually meant it.
Though as my faux pas in the Presidentail Palace car park in Baghdad shows you just have to be mindful of where you are. On exiting vehicle I was in, spied a large muscular Maori Gentleman(sure that is first time he has been called that) or a mate & yelled "So & so you bl..k c..t" when I was suddenly aware the whole place was frozen as everyone looked then waited for his reaction. He looked up seen me then just reacted like he would of any other time. "Bro ...".
One person is well known for showing up to meetings with a pillow case over their head with eyes cut out & a cross on his shoulder when he was the only pakeha(of European descent) in that unit. As far as I know no one ever took offence at it. It was just our sense of humour that something like that was accepted.
Why talk about this now?
Well it is Waitangi Day again(6th February) to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi & Professor Margaret Mutu has come out saying New Zealand has had racism since Pakeha arrived & that New Zealand will not move forward until that is addressed.
Now racism in Australia is quite open. So much so that Australians don't even realize they are doing it. But in some ways that is healthier.
It is quite openly racist both ways in the US too but it tends to be of the unhealthy kind. Australia though, as many of my mates have pointed out, is racist but if you do your job they just accept you for you & get on with things.
Pacific Migrant Labour, Class and Racism in New Zealand: Fresh Off the Boat (Research in Ethnic Relations)
In New Zealand it is very understated & not talked about or denied. If it is raised it is how racist all things are slanted towards Maori. Some of which can be quite amusing to hear as obviously the people involved have no idea what they are talking about.
Amusing in regards to the likes of the Maori seats in parliament. People often refer to these as been racist. They are & were formed on that basis so Maori could not be in control of the country as they would of been at the time been the majority land holders & in population.
So for now to have control beyond their populaton through entrenched Maori seats been called racist is quite ironic.
The Politics of Nostalgia: Racism and the Extreme Right in New Zealand
Now the Professors comments show an example of the different attitudes. The Australian channel Prime which shows here, had it as its first item. TV One news, the main news in New Zealand never even mentioned it. I am not sure what TV 3 thought of it.
But then it is not that simple either as there is these days obviously racism on both sides. Being of Maori descent but pale I get it from both sides. On the pakeha side because they only regard you as Maori if you are brown not by whakapapa which is the true identifier & so make comments(even after you point out you are Maori) that they would not make if my cousins were there.
Tauiwi: Racism and ethnicity in New Zealand
On the Maori side the comments directed at me because of my skin colour for which they are quickly pulled up & put right. The other area I see which some Maori play on is the perceived slight such as more arrests in the Christchurch CBD a few years back of Maori & Pacific Islanders.
Although I have it realiably from within police ranks about that time it was quite racist in thought(just reflecting the society they work in) in fact that issue had little to do with racism but more to do with wealth & costs.
Those figures changed once the police were ordered to arrest everyone causing issues. Suddenly 82% of those causing the mayhem were rich & white young males. Up to that stage(& I have both been told this by offenders as a security officer & heard the police told this)these same young males would state "I will get off, get dad's lawyer & ask for a jury trial" officers were just told to forget it by superiors as cost was too high. In the end police just stopped doing it as waste of time & paper work. So they just prosecuted the lower income group which tends to be high in proportion of Maori & Pacific Islanders.
Nga take: Ethnic relations and racism in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Not to mention there used to be an attitude amongst the low income groups of "do the crime do the time" & "the crime is getting caught". As any police officer is likely to tell you & it is the same with security you get more trouble with a person in a suit than a gang member in most situations. Many well dressed, well off people think they have the right to commit a crime or the rules don't apply to them & no one can touch them.
Where as a gang member will often once caught just think 'got caught not worth the hassle'.
Racism and Ethnicity (Critical Issues in New Zealand Society)
Racism in New Zealand though is another of those subjects like crime or our 'clean & green image' that are fallacies in this country & that need to be talked about.
But the New Zealand attitude is "this is a great country we don't have any of those problems & we will never have real bad crime or terrorism like overseas" yeah right they are already here.
Some will not like the use of the word Pakeha here as they find it offensive. That is because they are told it means 'white pig'. Actually it doesn't. No one is actually sure what it means anymore but it was once a term of great esteem.
At best it appears to have been a corruption of some Maori words such as those for Pa(fort) of white ghosts, or to do with the smell of the ship & its crew(you actually smell like the food you eat or its combination in the natural state) or the best I have heard is Maori at the time trying to get their tongue around the common expression they would of heard of bugger ya(you) which if you run together & say fast comes out like Pakeha.
Nga Patai : Racism and Ethnic Relations in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Of course on the other side there was the mistunderstanding that Maori was what people referred to themselves as. Maori means ordinary & no one would of identified as Maori but as Ngapuhi, Ngati Porou, Ngai Tahu, Waitaha or what ever Iwi(tribe) you came from. There was no such thing as Maori as a people.
Therein lies another issue the British thought they were signing with the Maori people, but Maori were only signing on behalf of their Iwi or more likely Hapu or whanau. Not all signed & some Iwi never signed at all, but the British attitude was once one person signed it was on behalf of all Maori people.
But then that is no different than the British identifying the language used in the court of the Emperor of China as Mandarin. There was no such dialect back then. What did happen was the officials across China for ease of communication used whatever the dialect of the Emperor at the time was.
The British termed these officials Mandarins so the language they spoke must be Mandarin or the official language. I think it was Jesuits tried to inform them other wise but being Catholics were dismissed as meddlers. From memory same group tried to assist in putting together of treaty here.
Disciplining the Savages
Like anything else the more we suppress them then at somestage they will come up & bite us on the rear. Both sides have to start talking & start listening. I think they will find in many instances they are actually on the same page just not listening or understanding. On others such as the Foreshore & Seabed as stated in a previous blog it might be very well the best option to ensure that area is in Maori hands with a caveat for all New Zealand citizes to use as the best way of protecting it for all.
But the politicians & those in power behind todays financial instituitions don't want us to understand each other. They would rather we are divided & arguing than trying to actually work together.
If a politician is giving you what you want look closely as they are probably doing quite the opposite & trouble will ensue.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
About 30 years ago there was an international prediction that New Zealand could be one of four countries where internal strife or civil war could break out in the South Pacific region. From memory it was Fiji, New Zealand & PNG with strife likely in Western Samoa.
Comment though was that in New Zealand it would not be a racial split, more on ideological grounds. For anyone that has been in the military in particular the NZ army(though I hear it is changing) we were all green. We used to (& still do when we meet) call each other by racist slang in particular around the US military who always had a problem with it. At least until they realized we never actually meant it.
Though as my faux pas in the Presidentail Palace car park in Baghdad shows you just have to be mindful of where you are. On exiting vehicle I was in, spied a large muscular Maori Gentleman(sure that is first time he has been called that) or a mate & yelled "So & so you bl..k c..t" when I was suddenly aware the whole place was frozen as everyone looked then waited for his reaction. He looked up seen me then just reacted like he would of any other time. "Bro ...".
One person is well known for showing up to meetings with a pillow case over their head with eyes cut out & a cross on his shoulder when he was the only pakeha(of European descent) in that unit. As far as I know no one ever took offence at it. It was just our sense of humour that something like that was accepted.
Why talk about this now?
Well it is Waitangi Day again(6th February) to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi & Professor Margaret Mutu has come out saying New Zealand has had racism since Pakeha arrived & that New Zealand will not move forward until that is addressed.
Now racism in Australia is quite open. So much so that Australians don't even realize they are doing it. But in some ways that is healthier.
It is quite openly racist both ways in the US too but it tends to be of the unhealthy kind. Australia though, as many of my mates have pointed out, is racist but if you do your job they just accept you for you & get on with things.
Pacific Migrant Labour, Class and Racism in New Zealand: Fresh Off the Boat (Research in Ethnic Relations)
In New Zealand it is very understated & not talked about or denied. If it is raised it is how racist all things are slanted towards Maori. Some of which can be quite amusing to hear as obviously the people involved have no idea what they are talking about.
Amusing in regards to the likes of the Maori seats in parliament. People often refer to these as been racist. They are & were formed on that basis so Maori could not be in control of the country as they would of been at the time been the majority land holders & in population.
So for now to have control beyond their populaton through entrenched Maori seats been called racist is quite ironic.
The Politics of Nostalgia: Racism and the Extreme Right in New Zealand
Now the Professors comments show an example of the different attitudes. The Australian channel Prime which shows here, had it as its first item. TV One news, the main news in New Zealand never even mentioned it. I am not sure what TV 3 thought of it.
But then it is not that simple either as there is these days obviously racism on both sides. Being of Maori descent but pale I get it from both sides. On the pakeha side because they only regard you as Maori if you are brown not by whakapapa which is the true identifier & so make comments(even after you point out you are Maori) that they would not make if my cousins were there.
Tauiwi: Racism and ethnicity in New Zealand
On the Maori side the comments directed at me because of my skin colour for which they are quickly pulled up & put right. The other area I see which some Maori play on is the perceived slight such as more arrests in the Christchurch CBD a few years back of Maori & Pacific Islanders.
Although I have it realiably from within police ranks about that time it was quite racist in thought(just reflecting the society they work in) in fact that issue had little to do with racism but more to do with wealth & costs.
Those figures changed once the police were ordered to arrest everyone causing issues. Suddenly 82% of those causing the mayhem were rich & white young males. Up to that stage(& I have both been told this by offenders as a security officer & heard the police told this)these same young males would state "I will get off, get dad's lawyer & ask for a jury trial" officers were just told to forget it by superiors as cost was too high. In the end police just stopped doing it as waste of time & paper work. So they just prosecuted the lower income group which tends to be high in proportion of Maori & Pacific Islanders.
Nga take: Ethnic relations and racism in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Not to mention there used to be an attitude amongst the low income groups of "do the crime do the time" & "the crime is getting caught". As any police officer is likely to tell you & it is the same with security you get more trouble with a person in a suit than a gang member in most situations. Many well dressed, well off people think they have the right to commit a crime or the rules don't apply to them & no one can touch them.
Where as a gang member will often once caught just think 'got caught not worth the hassle'.
Racism and Ethnicity (Critical Issues in New Zealand Society)
Racism in New Zealand though is another of those subjects like crime or our 'clean & green image' that are fallacies in this country & that need to be talked about.
But the New Zealand attitude is "this is a great country we don't have any of those problems & we will never have real bad crime or terrorism like overseas" yeah right they are already here.
Some will not like the use of the word Pakeha here as they find it offensive. That is because they are told it means 'white pig'. Actually it doesn't. No one is actually sure what it means anymore but it was once a term of great esteem.
At best it appears to have been a corruption of some Maori words such as those for Pa(fort) of white ghosts, or to do with the smell of the ship & its crew(you actually smell like the food you eat or its combination in the natural state) or the best I have heard is Maori at the time trying to get their tongue around the common expression they would of heard of bugger ya(you) which if you run together & say fast comes out like Pakeha.
Nga Patai : Racism and Ethnic Relations in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Of course on the other side there was the mistunderstanding that Maori was what people referred to themselves as. Maori means ordinary & no one would of identified as Maori but as Ngapuhi, Ngati Porou, Ngai Tahu, Waitaha or what ever Iwi(tribe) you came from. There was no such thing as Maori as a people.
Therein lies another issue the British thought they were signing with the Maori people, but Maori were only signing on behalf of their Iwi or more likely Hapu or whanau. Not all signed & some Iwi never signed at all, but the British attitude was once one person signed it was on behalf of all Maori people.
But then that is no different than the British identifying the language used in the court of the Emperor of China as Mandarin. There was no such dialect back then. What did happen was the officials across China for ease of communication used whatever the dialect of the Emperor at the time was.
The British termed these officials Mandarins so the language they spoke must be Mandarin or the official language. I think it was Jesuits tried to inform them other wise but being Catholics were dismissed as meddlers. From memory same group tried to assist in putting together of treaty here.
Disciplining the Savages
Like anything else the more we suppress them then at somestage they will come up & bite us on the rear. Both sides have to start talking & start listening. I think they will find in many instances they are actually on the same page just not listening or understanding. On others such as the Foreshore & Seabed as stated in a previous blog it might be very well the best option to ensure that area is in Maori hands with a caveat for all New Zealand citizes to use as the best way of protecting it for all.
But the politicians & those in power behind todays financial instituitions don't want us to understand each other. They would rather we are divided & arguing than trying to actually work together.
If a politician is giving you what you want look closely as they are probably doing quite the opposite & trouble will ensue.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Which Experts to listen too?
Kia Ora,
These days all we hear is 'they have the advice of the experts', but which experts do we listen too.
For example the experts over the earthquakes here can't even agree what has happened, what is going to happen & if there is a faultline under Christchurch (depsite one report talking about the Addington fault rupturing in the mid 1800's after this quake struck).
What prompted this post though was the front page article in the Christchurch 'Press' about the security hole in internet explorer.
Now this was one of the first things we received a warning about on arrival to work in Iraq from the US military. There are security issues with internet explorer, yahoo messenger & msn messenger we recommend you do not use them. This was in 2004.
Now for years there had been a rumour that there were holes so the US military could access your computer so thought it might be a good idea to listen.
Since then I find if you go onto European security sites they detect if you have internet explorer or not & you get a well done if say using Firefox.
Then there has been the odd clipping about European countries such as Denmark issuing a warning.
National security on the Web.(online material): An article from: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Meanwhile back here in New Zealand almost every issue I have had with some software has been put down to not having internet explorer. Often been told I need to have it to which the reply has gone along the lines "you can't actually tell me that as has been proven in court cases in Europe & the US. Anyway it is poor security."
Until today, when internet security experts have being seen quoted on TV, I am always told that they or their internet security expert have no knowledge of this & there is no issue. All of a sudden they are experts on it!
So it has taken nearly seven years for New Zealand internet security experts to catch up with what we found out in 2004.
Others have blamed the anti virus I use & said I need to turn it off! What person involved in the internet security tells someone to turn off their anti virus?
The Future of the Internet--And How to Stop It
This has resulted in a very good personal phone call from the CEO of the providers of the anti virus Chillisoft where their exasperation at been held to blame for others short comings was quite evident.
When it comes to internet security I do what I can but it is not my field of experience but it appears a lot of 'experts' have less knowledge than I do which is a real worry & try to baffle people with bullshit.
Personally I have a lot of knowledge of security & many different experiences but would never like to call myself an expert. As much as I will give my opinion there will always be someone else with more or different experiences that can be brought to bear.
The problem with a lot of them they have never actually been at the coal face so their views are not in line with what is reality.
Electronic Commerce: Technical, Business, and Legal Issues
Like many would not be aware that in the local area there have been two armed robberies not generally known about or a series of burglaries also not widely known about. Burglaries well that is normal until(if) they get to court, but at least until recently it seems if the police know about serious crime the media are informed shortly after in this country. That appears to be changing.
With the lack of coal face experience they wouldn't of picked up the two appearing to be casing the banks or the person that appears to be homeless hanging around.
How can someone be an expert when they have never experienced the situation or the issues that arise?
So who do you trust?
The 'expert' with the graphs & statistics to back them up or the person with the experience & anecdotes to back it up? Personally the person with experience will get my vote.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
These days all we hear is 'they have the advice of the experts', but which experts do we listen too.
For example the experts over the earthquakes here can't even agree what has happened, what is going to happen & if there is a faultline under Christchurch (depsite one report talking about the Addington fault rupturing in the mid 1800's after this quake struck).
What prompted this post though was the front page article in the Christchurch 'Press' about the security hole in internet explorer.
Now this was one of the first things we received a warning about on arrival to work in Iraq from the US military. There are security issues with internet explorer, yahoo messenger & msn messenger we recommend you do not use them. This was in 2004.
Now for years there had been a rumour that there were holes so the US military could access your computer so thought it might be a good idea to listen.
Since then I find if you go onto European security sites they detect if you have internet explorer or not & you get a well done if say using Firefox.
Then there has been the odd clipping about European countries such as Denmark issuing a warning.
National security on the Web.(online material): An article from: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists
Meanwhile back here in New Zealand almost every issue I have had with some software has been put down to not having internet explorer. Often been told I need to have it to which the reply has gone along the lines "you can't actually tell me that as has been proven in court cases in Europe & the US. Anyway it is poor security."
Until today, when internet security experts have being seen quoted on TV, I am always told that they or their internet security expert have no knowledge of this & there is no issue. All of a sudden they are experts on it!
So it has taken nearly seven years for New Zealand internet security experts to catch up with what we found out in 2004.
Others have blamed the anti virus I use & said I need to turn it off! What person involved in the internet security tells someone to turn off their anti virus?
The Future of the Internet--And How to Stop It
This has resulted in a very good personal phone call from the CEO of the providers of the anti virus Chillisoft where their exasperation at been held to blame for others short comings was quite evident.
When it comes to internet security I do what I can but it is not my field of experience but it appears a lot of 'experts' have less knowledge than I do which is a real worry & try to baffle people with bullshit.
Personally I have a lot of knowledge of security & many different experiences but would never like to call myself an expert. As much as I will give my opinion there will always be someone else with more or different experiences that can be brought to bear.
The problem with a lot of them they have never actually been at the coal face so their views are not in line with what is reality.
Electronic Commerce: Technical, Business, and Legal Issues
Like many would not be aware that in the local area there have been two armed robberies not generally known about or a series of burglaries also not widely known about. Burglaries well that is normal until(if) they get to court, but at least until recently it seems if the police know about serious crime the media are informed shortly after in this country. That appears to be changing.
With the lack of coal face experience they wouldn't of picked up the two appearing to be casing the banks or the person that appears to be homeless hanging around.
How can someone be an expert when they have never experienced the situation or the issues that arise?
So who do you trust?
The 'expert' with the graphs & statistics to back them up or the person with the experience & anecdotes to back it up? Personally the person with experience will get my vote.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Friday, January 21, 2011
How the Bailouts are making things worse!
Kia Ora,
The Bailouts are going to save the world from Financial Crisis! Yeah Right they are actually making things worse.
For those that don't know this is how it works.
The big banks(those too big to fail) trade in the shadow banking world with debt such as CDO's & the derivatives market. Things start to go wrong so the government goes to the central bank & gets them to create some currency from nothing to stimulate the economy. Governments no longer create or print the currency themselves. They let the private banks that are the central banks do that on their behalf then pay them interest(your taxes)for doing it.
Now this new currency goes to buy the debt of the major banks therefore monetizing that debt, so although it is called quantitive easing, by monetizing the debt is just like printing currency.
But since the major banks actually make up the cartel that runs the central banks they were always going to get bailouts.
So that extra currency causes the fiat currency(a currency backed by nothing but a promise & debt) people have in their wallets to loose value. But since the banks are not passing the 'stimulus' on to create businesses & jobs, therefore kick starting the economy, people are loosing out.
There is less work around, prices are rising & the only people benefitting are the banks with big fat bonus payments.
So where does security fit in with this?
Well we only have to look at what is happening in the world & in particular Tunisia as an indicator of what is going to happen.
Food riots, riots over austerity measures, rises in crime in particular violence, extreme politics & xenophobic(dislike of new comers or foreigners)behaviour are evident around the world at present.
But back to Tunisia & look at a statement out here in New Zealand in the last few days. In the last quarter of the year New Zealand had a jump in inflation which has been blamed on the rise in GST(Goods & Services Tax). That is more like smoke & mirrors.
Why?
Because the Federal Reserve in the US in particular is carrying out quantitive easing to buy debt to save the major banks. This is causing inflation in food prices(despite what the manipulated CPI's tell us) across the world.
The president of Tunisia is said to have tried to take measures to stem the rising prices including cutting taxes(take note all those that want to cut GST from food, fuel etc it doesn't make much difference in the end) but the prices just kept rising.
Rich Dad's Advisors: Guide to Investing In Gold and Silver: Protect Your Financial Future
It apparently forced people to have to live out on the street to survive, one of whom was doing business with an illegal black market food stall. The trigger event apparently was the slapping of his face by a female police officer. More of this has been made than the reason he was there in the first place.
So right now the military & the police are trying to get on top of things in Tunisia so a new government can be installed & changes made.
What those carrying out these policies of quantitive easing forget is though on their budget food maybe a very minute thing in many countries including the US it can make up to 70% or more of the weekly budget. If that keeps increasing then people start to take drastic action such as theft, robbery, maybe even a coup or two.
Rich Dad's Prophecy: Why The Biggest Stock Market Crash in History is Still Coming...and How You Can Prepare Yourself and Profit From It!
So whilst trying to make it look like they are saving the world, they are actually dooming it to collapse of the financial system. They could save the financial system if they took the action the people of Iceland forced their government too.
But they won't as it will mean admiting they failed & loss of power. The lessons of history tell us what is likely to happen but again people like to believe what their governments tell them!
Might be a requirement for good security though if you can afford it!
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
The Bailouts are going to save the world from Financial Crisis! Yeah Right they are actually making things worse.
For those that don't know this is how it works.
The big banks(those too big to fail) trade in the shadow banking world with debt such as CDO's & the derivatives market. Things start to go wrong so the government goes to the central bank & gets them to create some currency from nothing to stimulate the economy. Governments no longer create or print the currency themselves. They let the private banks that are the central banks do that on their behalf then pay them interest(your taxes)for doing it.
Now this new currency goes to buy the debt of the major banks therefore monetizing that debt, so although it is called quantitive easing, by monetizing the debt is just like printing currency.
But since the major banks actually make up the cartel that runs the central banks they were always going to get bailouts.
So that extra currency causes the fiat currency(a currency backed by nothing but a promise & debt) people have in their wallets to loose value. But since the banks are not passing the 'stimulus' on to create businesses & jobs, therefore kick starting the economy, people are loosing out.
There is less work around, prices are rising & the only people benefitting are the banks with big fat bonus payments.
So where does security fit in with this?
Well we only have to look at what is happening in the world & in particular Tunisia as an indicator of what is going to happen.
Food riots, riots over austerity measures, rises in crime in particular violence, extreme politics & xenophobic(dislike of new comers or foreigners)behaviour are evident around the world at present.
But back to Tunisia & look at a statement out here in New Zealand in the last few days. In the last quarter of the year New Zealand had a jump in inflation which has been blamed on the rise in GST(Goods & Services Tax). That is more like smoke & mirrors.
Why?
Because the Federal Reserve in the US in particular is carrying out quantitive easing to buy debt to save the major banks. This is causing inflation in food prices(despite what the manipulated CPI's tell us) across the world.
The president of Tunisia is said to have tried to take measures to stem the rising prices including cutting taxes(take note all those that want to cut GST from food, fuel etc it doesn't make much difference in the end) but the prices just kept rising.
Rich Dad's Advisors: Guide to Investing In Gold and Silver: Protect Your Financial Future
It apparently forced people to have to live out on the street to survive, one of whom was doing business with an illegal black market food stall. The trigger event apparently was the slapping of his face by a female police officer. More of this has been made than the reason he was there in the first place.
So right now the military & the police are trying to get on top of things in Tunisia so a new government can be installed & changes made.
What those carrying out these policies of quantitive easing forget is though on their budget food maybe a very minute thing in many countries including the US it can make up to 70% or more of the weekly budget. If that keeps increasing then people start to take drastic action such as theft, robbery, maybe even a coup or two.
Rich Dad's Prophecy: Why The Biggest Stock Market Crash in History is Still Coming...and How You Can Prepare Yourself and Profit From It!
So whilst trying to make it look like they are saving the world, they are actually dooming it to collapse of the financial system. They could save the financial system if they took the action the people of Iceland forced their government too.
But they won't as it will mean admiting they failed & loss of power. The lessons of history tell us what is likely to happen but again people like to believe what their governments tell them!
Might be a requirement for good security though if you can afford it!
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Monday, January 10, 2011
The Information is all there!
Kia Ora,
A few years back I started collecting newspaper clippings keeping an eye on trouble spots around the world & getting my soldiers to research them.
Since leaving the military I have extended that to crime, disasters & likely threats.
Well in the last few days I have had to start going back through those clippings as information came through that someone I have had an issue with post the earthquake here in Christchurch is not as holier than thou they make out.
In fact as I scratched just a little with a contact I suddenly realized where I knew the face & name from. Their criminal activity was in the paper, although they will claim that is was not criminal & they have made it good.
The amount of information though that has come out especially in the little side news briefs was interesting.
Included were predictions of overdue diasters here in New Zealand. Those disasters were a large earthquake here in the South Island, though it was more focussed on the Alpine faultline. Overdue volcanic eruptions in Auckland, Lake Taupo, Taranaki with a new volcano expected in Wanganui township.
There was also a clipping about Christchurch City council looking at the city's commericial & civic buildings for possible earthquake strengthening although the nearest known fault was over 30km away. We know now since the Canterbury wee shake that actually there was at least one fault previous known in the city. The Addington fault but even that has been a matter of contradiction by the 'experts'.
Silent Warfare: Understanding the World of Intelligence, 3d Edition
Other information included the profile of the Kiwi jihadist whose youtube postings I included in earlier posts.
Some have said that collecting them is a waste of time, but as this recent look back through has shown the information gathered can give a warning to issues further down the track.
For Security like the military the more surprises you can plan for the better prepared you are for the unexpected.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
A few years back I started collecting newspaper clippings keeping an eye on trouble spots around the world & getting my soldiers to research them.
Since leaving the military I have extended that to crime, disasters & likely threats.
Well in the last few days I have had to start going back through those clippings as information came through that someone I have had an issue with post the earthquake here in Christchurch is not as holier than thou they make out.
In fact as I scratched just a little with a contact I suddenly realized where I knew the face & name from. Their criminal activity was in the paper, although they will claim that is was not criminal & they have made it good.
The amount of information though that has come out especially in the little side news briefs was interesting.
Included were predictions of overdue diasters here in New Zealand. Those disasters were a large earthquake here in the South Island, though it was more focussed on the Alpine faultline. Overdue volcanic eruptions in Auckland, Lake Taupo, Taranaki with a new volcano expected in Wanganui township.
There was also a clipping about Christchurch City council looking at the city's commericial & civic buildings for possible earthquake strengthening although the nearest known fault was over 30km away. We know now since the Canterbury wee shake that actually there was at least one fault previous known in the city. The Addington fault but even that has been a matter of contradiction by the 'experts'.
Silent Warfare: Understanding the World of Intelligence, 3d Edition
Other information included the profile of the Kiwi jihadist whose youtube postings I included in earlier posts.
Some have said that collecting them is a waste of time, but as this recent look back through has shown the information gathered can give a warning to issues further down the track.
For Security like the military the more surprises you can plan for the better prepared you are for the unexpected.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Heads must roll!
Kia Ora,
Well again as if by magic a situation has occurred that reinforces my comments.
Yesterday friends of mine were visited by EQC(Earth Quake Commission) Assessors. First up the building assessor needs to be either given serious retraining or sacked!
For that matter the Minister & CEO should both resign as of Friday.
My friends experience & that of their neighbours shows it is all about not delivering for any excuse & trying to bully people.
Now yesterday The local newspaper the "Press" had a very good editorial pointing out as I said in my blog things need to be done quickly but properly & with empathy.
Well that is not what a builders assessor did yesterday & whats more they have shot themselves in the foot.
Since these guys as we know have to visit six properties a day I would hate to think of the devastation left behind.
My friends neighbour was left nearly in tears & told they had no real damage despite the area been badly hit with liquifaction during the initial quake.
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning for IT Professionals
What this idiot didn't realize was at my friends place the woman is a qualified & experienced cabinet maker. He probably just thought "Just a woman I can steam roll her".
She does admit been a bit taken back by the dismissive way in which he put everything down to wear & tear.
When I asked her "you did tell them you are a qualified cabinet maker?" "No, was too taken back by attitude, but I should of asked how qualified they were!"
I have known this woman for 17 years & in every house she has been in I have heard "well I was going to go out to there, but I just needed to fix this skirting or paint this wall or hang this wall paper or ...".
This is not the mechanic with the worst car.
Disaster Recovery
As it was I know she pulled apart their patio because it was munted(destroyed) & couldn't be bothered waiting, but what they could they left to show the damage. I think the wiser head of her husband prevailed there or she would of fixed half the house by now.
So to be told it was wear & tear is an outright lie.
It is like the corrupt body corporate representative here telling me that a new crack in the wall was pre existing. It wasn't but what he didn't take into account was the coal trains that run past here & so the coal dust makes things looked aged real quick.
High Availability and Disaster Recovery: Concepts, Design, Implementation
Or EQC telling another friend that his property has not suffered land damage even though no one has ever been to that property & the little shake yesterday been within 1.5km of his property.
But the questioning of the assessors qualifications is interesting as it has been suggested to me that they are looking for assessors so I should apply. I have been a builders labourer & can swing a hammer but in no way am I qualified except for the fact I would have empathy & can see if something is damaged.
The Disaster Recovery Handbook: A Step-by-Step Plan to Ensure Business Continuity and Protect Vital Operations, Facilities, and Assets
Yes some people are ripping off the system or trying too. But most are not. Many are just too upset to even think about that.
So what qualifications did this person have to really comment on the sagging roof with Duct tape over the holes to stop the rain, the liquifaction obvious by the hills & valleys in the ocncrete floor, near 100 cracks in the walls when they stopped counting new ones & the bricks falling off the outside? That is not to count the damage nearly everyone has of seperated skirting boards, cracks around doors, windows etc.
Or the drive way which is at different levels but already dealt with by their insurance company.
Disaster Recovery Planning: Preparing for the Unthinkable (3rd Edition)
That is not to mention that at the time the inspection started at my friends place that wee shake occurred which they said they never felt as probably too busy been abused(because that is what it is) by the assessor, but their children have come home shaken.
This sort of poor performance with a lack of empathy is what increases the frustration & anger resulting in riots, increased domestic violence & crime overall.
What is also been forgot is shortly after the earthquake on September the 4th 2010 there were on two occassions in the "Press" structural engineers quoted & then the Mayor of Christchurch all saying the same thing.
"The building code is there to save lives not buildings."
Emergency Food Storage & Survival Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Family Safe in a Crisis
Now I have been trying to remember where I had heard something similar to that before. Then I realized it was in relation to body armour.
People have asked could they borrow some of my sets of body armour or buy them for security work but they would have to test them first. As is pointed out to them once they have stopped a knife or a bullet that is it. Throw them away basically.
So to me what they are saying is the building code has done its job but effectively every single property effected by the quakes need to be checked over as essentially most should be rebuilt. It would be why the Christchurch City council has ordered all commercial properties to be restrengthened up to 67% of original strength if they have damage. The costs associated has meant many been pulled down.. Because if they don't the council will be liable.
It will be also why several structural engineers have privately been passing on the information for people to register a claim as not the whole truth was been passed on to the public.
Financial Reckoning Day Fallout: Surviving Today's Global Depression
That EQC don't have a clue what they are doing is shown by the fact that until recently there was no complaint form available to their website. It is the height of arrogance to think there will be no complaints.
Or were they relying on those like the elderly couple last night showing the damage but saying well we just have to wait as there was another big aftershock. Though at end of interview on TV One they did express some frustration in the system.
It is that frustration that is growing & turning to anger. Most of the books above are probably where they got their ideas on recovery from, but it is more than that. It is the empathy needed. With the Global Depression on & getting worse by the day it just makes things worse.
The Ten Trillion Dollar Gamble: The Coming Deficit Debacle and How to Invest Now: How Deficit Economics Will Change our Global Financial Climate
Here is my solution to the earthquake recovery. Minister & CEO(EQC) to resign by this Friday 7th January 2011, army to take over management of recovery lead by the Royal New Zealand Engineers. Under their guidance in conjunction with the private sector & using the unemployed every single building in the affected area checked & any damage rectified.
The military do this sort of thing as part of their contribution to helping our Pacific neighbours. It is the sort of thing the US Army corp of Engineers does as in post Katrina.
At the moment it is a shambles, poorly organized with little empathy & highly corrupt.
In the current environment the likes of us in security & the police will have to deal with ever increasing issues over & above the normal crime.
EQC & the government can not rely on the fact Kiwis don't complain. They do, just not upfront as some nationalities, but it all means increasing frustration & tension.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Well again as if by magic a situation has occurred that reinforces my comments.
Yesterday friends of mine were visited by EQC(Earth Quake Commission) Assessors. First up the building assessor needs to be either given serious retraining or sacked!
For that matter the Minister & CEO should both resign as of Friday.
My friends experience & that of their neighbours shows it is all about not delivering for any excuse & trying to bully people.
Now yesterday The local newspaper the "Press" had a very good editorial pointing out as I said in my blog things need to be done quickly but properly & with empathy.
Well that is not what a builders assessor did yesterday & whats more they have shot themselves in the foot.
Since these guys as we know have to visit six properties a day I would hate to think of the devastation left behind.
My friends neighbour was left nearly in tears & told they had no real damage despite the area been badly hit with liquifaction during the initial quake.
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning for IT Professionals
What this idiot didn't realize was at my friends place the woman is a qualified & experienced cabinet maker. He probably just thought "Just a woman I can steam roll her".
She does admit been a bit taken back by the dismissive way in which he put everything down to wear & tear.
When I asked her "you did tell them you are a qualified cabinet maker?" "No, was too taken back by attitude, but I should of asked how qualified they were!"
I have known this woman for 17 years & in every house she has been in I have heard "well I was going to go out to there, but I just needed to fix this skirting or paint this wall or hang this wall paper or ...".
This is not the mechanic with the worst car.
Disaster Recovery
As it was I know she pulled apart their patio because it was munted(destroyed) & couldn't be bothered waiting, but what they could they left to show the damage. I think the wiser head of her husband prevailed there or she would of fixed half the house by now.
So to be told it was wear & tear is an outright lie.
It is like the corrupt body corporate representative here telling me that a new crack in the wall was pre existing. It wasn't but what he didn't take into account was the coal trains that run past here & so the coal dust makes things looked aged real quick.
High Availability and Disaster Recovery: Concepts, Design, Implementation
Or EQC telling another friend that his property has not suffered land damage even though no one has ever been to that property & the little shake yesterday been within 1.5km of his property.
But the questioning of the assessors qualifications is interesting as it has been suggested to me that they are looking for assessors so I should apply. I have been a builders labourer & can swing a hammer but in no way am I qualified except for the fact I would have empathy & can see if something is damaged.
The Disaster Recovery Handbook: A Step-by-Step Plan to Ensure Business Continuity and Protect Vital Operations, Facilities, and Assets
Yes some people are ripping off the system or trying too. But most are not. Many are just too upset to even think about that.
So what qualifications did this person have to really comment on the sagging roof with Duct tape over the holes to stop the rain, the liquifaction obvious by the hills & valleys in the ocncrete floor, near 100 cracks in the walls when they stopped counting new ones & the bricks falling off the outside? That is not to count the damage nearly everyone has of seperated skirting boards, cracks around doors, windows etc.
Or the drive way which is at different levels but already dealt with by their insurance company.
Disaster Recovery Planning: Preparing for the Unthinkable (3rd Edition)
That is not to mention that at the time the inspection started at my friends place that wee shake occurred which they said they never felt as probably too busy been abused(because that is what it is) by the assessor, but their children have come home shaken.
This sort of poor performance with a lack of empathy is what increases the frustration & anger resulting in riots, increased domestic violence & crime overall.
What is also been forgot is shortly after the earthquake on September the 4th 2010 there were on two occassions in the "Press" structural engineers quoted & then the Mayor of Christchurch all saying the same thing.
"The building code is there to save lives not buildings."
Emergency Food Storage & Survival Handbook: Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Family Safe in a Crisis
Now I have been trying to remember where I had heard something similar to that before. Then I realized it was in relation to body armour.
People have asked could they borrow some of my sets of body armour or buy them for security work but they would have to test them first. As is pointed out to them once they have stopped a knife or a bullet that is it. Throw them away basically.
So to me what they are saying is the building code has done its job but effectively every single property effected by the quakes need to be checked over as essentially most should be rebuilt. It would be why the Christchurch City council has ordered all commercial properties to be restrengthened up to 67% of original strength if they have damage. The costs associated has meant many been pulled down.. Because if they don't the council will be liable.
It will be also why several structural engineers have privately been passing on the information for people to register a claim as not the whole truth was been passed on to the public.
Financial Reckoning Day Fallout: Surviving Today's Global Depression
That EQC don't have a clue what they are doing is shown by the fact that until recently there was no complaint form available to their website. It is the height of arrogance to think there will be no complaints.
Or were they relying on those like the elderly couple last night showing the damage but saying well we just have to wait as there was another big aftershock. Though at end of interview on TV One they did express some frustration in the system.
It is that frustration that is growing & turning to anger. Most of the books above are probably where they got their ideas on recovery from, but it is more than that. It is the empathy needed. With the Global Depression on & getting worse by the day it just makes things worse.
The Ten Trillion Dollar Gamble: The Coming Deficit Debacle and How to Invest Now: How Deficit Economics Will Change our Global Financial Climate
Here is my solution to the earthquake recovery. Minister & CEO(EQC) to resign by this Friday 7th January 2011, army to take over management of recovery lead by the Royal New Zealand Engineers. Under their guidance in conjunction with the private sector & using the unemployed every single building in the affected area checked & any damage rectified.
The military do this sort of thing as part of their contribution to helping our Pacific neighbours. It is the sort of thing the US Army corp of Engineers does as in post Katrina.
At the moment it is a shambles, poorly organized with little empathy & highly corrupt.
In the current environment the likes of us in security & the police will have to deal with ever increasing issues over & above the normal crime.
EQC & the government can not rely on the fact Kiwis don't complain. They do, just not upfront as some nationalities, but it all means increasing frustration & tension.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Poor Leadership making the Frustration worse!
Kia Ora,
Recently I posted about the corrupt bureaucrats hampering the earthquake recovery. Well they are still at it & what is emerging is the poor leadership at all levels which is assisting it.
First we start with the Minister who has quite rightly carried out question & answer sessions, except when someone makes a statement about their experience often the answer goes along the lines, "well that is not correct." Actually it is the case because someone has just told you.
Stop listening to corrupt bureaucrats & start listening to the people affected. They know what is happening to their property!
The same thing happened with the initial Foreshore & Seabed consultation where the Minister of Maori Affairs showed he was actually listening but the Minister driving the Act just told everyone after the submissions what was happening.
That resulted in the later loss of an election or it certainly played a big part.
Then there is the CEO who has done the same on radio. But worse has allowed the system to be driven by numbers.
Having a target set that can be unrealistic causes issues within the work force & don't promote a good working environment. Therefore people don't perform. KPI's(key Performance Indicators) promote this poor type of working environment.
Not all houses are the same so time taken can vary as can damage. Yes everyone wants it done as quickly as possible, but done properly with empathy.
What we don't know can hurt US.(Leadership and Self-Deception)(Video Recording Review): An article from: Training Media Review
So the six a day target should only be that. Ask people to do that many if they can but do their best. Get out on the ground with these teams, don't just set a figure & think it will be OK. Instead of sacking those that don't make it, keep them on so more properties are dealt with. Have a set payment with a bonus for number of properties seen(up to 6 a day).
For those who have never been in the military there are set rates of movement written down which work good in war games on maps but not in reality. It results in what we called 'other end itis'. An officer who had been away from the coal face would be looking at these guilde line rates & wanting to know why units were not where they should be. All their planning is based on these guidelines.
On one exercise a certain officer was really sticking to these guidelines, so for the last part of the exercise the Commanding Officer(CO)(a Vietnam Veteran) sent him out with our patrol to remind him of what it was like at the coal face.
First thing is this officer enjoyed it & said it made him realize again of how different things were. But then the CO probably got a better result than he could of ever wished for. One patrol got into a contact, another was ambushed as the company quite literally blundered into the enemy party returning to their base camp from different directions.
The map showed a nicely forrested area but what had happened was the area had been clear felled & all the trees were lying where they fell or had been stacked years before. Instead of 500 metres an hour as per the book we were doing 5 metres an hour then a battle erupted! Progress was in centimetres & total confusion!
It was great & a good officer learnt a great lesson in leadership & trusting those on the ground to give the best information(in most cases).
Leadership & Self-deception (The Hidden Key to Improving Results)
Then there is the inefficient way of dealing with properties. Yes the worst affected should be dealt with first, but as they have found many of the worst affected have said nothing early on.
Now relations in Rangiora tell us they had little damage but the way the four that come to their street was efficient. Seems they were working to a pattern.
What a novel idea!
The Four Conversations: Daily Communication That Gets Results
Meanwhile in Hororata, a small country town near the epicentre of the initial quake, news reports tell of the citizens mystified by the inefficient way it has been carried out. Check one house, miss out the next five then do another one. Then I expect from comments they come back on another day to do the others.
Now I grew up near Hororata & worked around there before joining the army. Later as part of the army for an exercise we searched the nearby town of Glentunnel. It is not rocket science. You pick the point you are going to start from & work from there in a methodical manner.
I am sure with a computer you can task it to return all claims within the township of Hororata or within 5km. In fact I know you can because you can do it with most other things.
Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box
Then again there is the point where people need to ignore the experts & get out there to talk to people. To be told that the experts said there is no damage in their area just adds to the frustration when your gut feeling is something is not right or you can see damage.
People know their property!
As the earthquake has shown one property can be perfect with the one next to it is munted(destroyed). So how someone who has not been on the property can say "no there will be no damage as that area is OK" is not credible.
There is a lot more to leadership than just telling people to do something. As some British units told us they learnt in the Falklands after all the years in Northern Ireland, sitting back & directing didn't work in a full on firefight. Leaders had to actually lead. Colonel 'H' Jones even got a VC posthumously for leading from the front at a crucial time in the battle for Goose Green.
Bonds That Make Us Free: Healing Our Relationships, Coming to Ourselves
Best the government & bureaucrats start showing some real leadership since they haven't yet & are loosing the people.
As I have said before you only have to look at what has happened in the likes of Italy & Haiti as the frustration grows & the security situation deteriorates.
Slower here because no one has died yet & hopefully they won't, but the financial crisis is just adding to the stress.
Self-Deception
Why does this concern me so much?
I have enough conerns of my own with a corrupt bureaucrat from the body corporate using any excuse to do nothing since he doesn't live here or own one of the units, but acting like fixing anything would be using his own money.
Because it is the likes of us in the security industry or the police who have to deal with the upset & frustrated people when they take their frustrations out on someone or something.
Allegedly the police have already had to deal with at least one relation of a Pike River Miner upset & frustrated over the disaster. A very hard situation for ayt police officer.
Some real leadership with people actually prepared to make decisions after the initial disaster period is what needs to be shown to lessen the impact of the frustration.
We just don't get that with government or bureaucrats. Any excuse not to do anything.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
Recently I posted about the corrupt bureaucrats hampering the earthquake recovery. Well they are still at it & what is emerging is the poor leadership at all levels which is assisting it.
First we start with the Minister who has quite rightly carried out question & answer sessions, except when someone makes a statement about their experience often the answer goes along the lines, "well that is not correct." Actually it is the case because someone has just told you.
Stop listening to corrupt bureaucrats & start listening to the people affected. They know what is happening to their property!
The same thing happened with the initial Foreshore & Seabed consultation where the Minister of Maori Affairs showed he was actually listening but the Minister driving the Act just told everyone after the submissions what was happening.
That resulted in the later loss of an election or it certainly played a big part.
Then there is the CEO who has done the same on radio. But worse has allowed the system to be driven by numbers.
Having a target set that can be unrealistic causes issues within the work force & don't promote a good working environment. Therefore people don't perform. KPI's(key Performance Indicators) promote this poor type of working environment.
Not all houses are the same so time taken can vary as can damage. Yes everyone wants it done as quickly as possible, but done properly with empathy.
What we don't know can hurt US.(Leadership and Self-Deception)(Video Recording Review): An article from: Training Media Review
So the six a day target should only be that. Ask people to do that many if they can but do their best. Get out on the ground with these teams, don't just set a figure & think it will be OK. Instead of sacking those that don't make it, keep them on so more properties are dealt with. Have a set payment with a bonus for number of properties seen(up to 6 a day).
For those who have never been in the military there are set rates of movement written down which work good in war games on maps but not in reality. It results in what we called 'other end itis'. An officer who had been away from the coal face would be looking at these guilde line rates & wanting to know why units were not where they should be. All their planning is based on these guidelines.
On one exercise a certain officer was really sticking to these guidelines, so for the last part of the exercise the Commanding Officer(CO)(a Vietnam Veteran) sent him out with our patrol to remind him of what it was like at the coal face.
First thing is this officer enjoyed it & said it made him realize again of how different things were. But then the CO probably got a better result than he could of ever wished for. One patrol got into a contact, another was ambushed as the company quite literally blundered into the enemy party returning to their base camp from different directions.
The map showed a nicely forrested area but what had happened was the area had been clear felled & all the trees were lying where they fell or had been stacked years before. Instead of 500 metres an hour as per the book we were doing 5 metres an hour then a battle erupted! Progress was in centimetres & total confusion!
It was great & a good officer learnt a great lesson in leadership & trusting those on the ground to give the best information(in most cases).
Leadership & Self-deception (The Hidden Key to Improving Results)
Then there is the inefficient way of dealing with properties. Yes the worst affected should be dealt with first, but as they have found many of the worst affected have said nothing early on.
Now relations in Rangiora tell us they had little damage but the way the four that come to their street was efficient. Seems they were working to a pattern.
What a novel idea!
The Four Conversations: Daily Communication That Gets Results
Meanwhile in Hororata, a small country town near the epicentre of the initial quake, news reports tell of the citizens mystified by the inefficient way it has been carried out. Check one house, miss out the next five then do another one. Then I expect from comments they come back on another day to do the others.
Now I grew up near Hororata & worked around there before joining the army. Later as part of the army for an exercise we searched the nearby town of Glentunnel. It is not rocket science. You pick the point you are going to start from & work from there in a methodical manner.
I am sure with a computer you can task it to return all claims within the township of Hororata or within 5km. In fact I know you can because you can do it with most other things.
Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box
Then again there is the point where people need to ignore the experts & get out there to talk to people. To be told that the experts said there is no damage in their area just adds to the frustration when your gut feeling is something is not right or you can see damage.
People know their property!
As the earthquake has shown one property can be perfect with the one next to it is munted(destroyed). So how someone who has not been on the property can say "no there will be no damage as that area is OK" is not credible.
There is a lot more to leadership than just telling people to do something. As some British units told us they learnt in the Falklands after all the years in Northern Ireland, sitting back & directing didn't work in a full on firefight. Leaders had to actually lead. Colonel 'H' Jones even got a VC posthumously for leading from the front at a crucial time in the battle for Goose Green.
Bonds That Make Us Free: Healing Our Relationships, Coming to Ourselves
Best the government & bureaucrats start showing some real leadership since they haven't yet & are loosing the people.
As I have said before you only have to look at what has happened in the likes of Italy & Haiti as the frustration grows & the security situation deteriorates.
Slower here because no one has died yet & hopefully they won't, but the financial crisis is just adding to the stress.
Self-Deception
Why does this concern me so much?
I have enough conerns of my own with a corrupt bureaucrat from the body corporate using any excuse to do nothing since he doesn't live here or own one of the units, but acting like fixing anything would be using his own money.
Because it is the likes of us in the security industry or the police who have to deal with the upset & frustrated people when they take their frustrations out on someone or something.
Allegedly the police have already had to deal with at least one relation of a Pike River Miner upset & frustrated over the disaster. A very hard situation for ayt police officer.
Some real leadership with people actually prepared to make decisions after the initial disaster period is what needs to be shown to lessen the impact of the frustration.
We just don't get that with government or bureaucrats. Any excuse not to do anything.
http://www.foxhoundsecurity.co.nz
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