Friday, December 14, 2007
NEW ZEALANDER ROBBIE DEANS, AND FIRST FOREIGNER, APPOINTED AS HEAD COACH FOR AUSTRALIAN WALLABIES RUGBY TEAM...
A New Zealander, Robbie Deans, from my home town of Christchurch in Canterbury, is now the head coach of the Australian Wallabies Rugby team, after being turned down by the NZRU for the All Blacks position as head coach. Robbie is the first foreigner to coach the Australian rugby team; although a number of Kiwis have previously played for Australia.
A special deal has been struck to allow Robbie Deans to continue coaching the Christchurch based "Crusaders" professional franchise until the end of the coming Super 14 season.
Most American readers probably don't realise that a New Zealander coached the American Eagles Rugby team at the recent Rugby World Cup.
Rugby Union may not be that well known by North American readers, but it is more of a a world sport than American football which is primarily a North American sport like baseball. Only basketball can be considered a world sport.
I was the first here to predict that Robbie Deans will be Wallabies coach by the end of the week; and with the World Cup losing New Zealand All Blacks coach, Graham Henry, inexplicably reappointed for another two years, will I have to change my allegiance to Australia to ensure I support a winning team? I hope not, with tongue in cheek?
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
SUPPORT THE INTERNATIONAL CALL TO PROTEST AGAINST ENDANGERED WHALES AND DOLPHINS...
A blogging friend from another site posted a story about the problems being experienced by endangered species around the globe. Certain species of whales and dolphins are, indeed, endangered. Where possible I think we should be rallying to the call to support the various organisations involved in taking action to prevent these mammals from becoming extinct.
Greenpeace, for example is taking direct action to protest against the killing of whales by Japanese interests, allegedly in the name of science
Please read the following article about one of the most endangered whale species, the Southern Right Whale:
SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE
Eubalaena australis
(Desmoilins 1822)
DERIVATION: from the Latin australis for southern.
At a recent marine mammal conference, it was demonstrated how the use of technology is enhancing whale research. During a 6-week-period, a right whale mother and her calf were documented 2 times in the Bay of Fundy. In years past, it would have been assumed that they had remained in the bay for that time period. Since the mother was tagged and the pair tracked by satellite, researchers discovered that the twosome had not remained in the Bay of Fundy, but instead had traveled 2,500 miles.
It is speculated that the reason for this enormous journey is that the mother is making a parental investment and showing her calf feeding grounds. The breeding mothers, for unknown reasons, have different feeding ground imprints. If these mothers were killed, there would be a cultural extinction of that right whale feeding ground. While the Southern population of whales is growing, the Northern population remains at 350. However, not all of these 350 animals are breeding.
At the same conference, Dr. Charles "Stormy" Mayo said that the scientific community cannot wait until every item of a study has been analyzed. Scientists must take an active role with regard to the species they are studying. He was referring to Boston's plan to send sewage to Stellwagen Banks, a critical whale feeding ground.
Inconclusive studies have been done to determine how much food a right whale needs and how sewage will affect copepods (mainstay of their diet). Dr. Mayo warned that the need for answers is immediate and desperate. Scientists speculate sewage will have a significant impact on whale feeding grounds. Feeding right whales depend on grouping of copepods. Sewage could block sunlight diminishing copepods' food source (plankton) and cause copepods to scatter. If they scatter, the whales will starve.
In the case of right whales, any errors or accidents could mean extinction.
By: Maris Sidenstecker
Sunday, December 02, 2007
DESPICABLE THEFT OF 100 MEDALS, INCLUDING NINE VICTORIA CROSSES STOLEN FROM ARMY MUSEUM IN WAIOURU,IN NEW ZEALAND'S NORTH ISLAND...
The despicable theft of 100 medals, including nine Victoria Crosses, the Commonwealth's highest award for valour - the equivalent of the US Medal of Honor, during a burglary at the New Zealand Army Museum in Waiouru in the North Island, has shattered those distraught families who had permitted these medals to be on display.
They fear that the medals, valued at NZ$10 million could end up on the black market overseas.They could not be sold on the open market.
The medals include the VC and Bar, awarded to Captain Charles Upham, universally recognised as the most gallant of all from any allied army in World War Two. The medals include those awarded in World War One as well. There were two George Medals, which are awarded to civilians, and an Albert Medal originally awarded for saving lives at sea.
NZ police stated the burglars and thieves entered through the rear of the museum at about 1-10am, and smashed the display cases to get at the priceless medals. The security system was activated, but the thieves were gone by the time a security guard arrived within minutes.
It is not only a tragic loss for the families who owned these priceless medals, but also for the nation as a whole. These were national treasures; the average New Zealander will feel gutted as well.
The VC and Bar of Captain Upham, had been sold by his daughters to the British Imperial Museum just last year, and had been loaned back to NZ for 999 years.
These medals had been awarded to their recipients for extraordinary valour and have come to symbolise the huge sacrifices that many New Zealanders made in conjunction with those from other allied nations in many conflicts and wars during the 20th Century, and even early in the 21st Century.
Fortunately the medal of New Zealand's latest war hero, Sgt Willy Apiata, awarded for action under fire when rescuing his comrades in Afghanistan was not taken.
The families of the war heroes have pleaded for the return of these medals.
Vist here
Posted by Kiwi Riverman at 3:33 PM 0 comments My other blogs
Labels: army museum, Australia and New Zealand, theft of medals, tragic loss, waiouru, war heroes
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
SARAH ULMER - NEW ZEALAND'S WORLD CHAMPION CYCLING GOLDEN GIRL HAS RETIRED...
Sarah Ulmer - New Zealand's world champion cycling golden girl has retired through continuing injury. She has left a sporting legacy New Zealand's top athletes across all codes must aspire to carry on, highly respected former Kiwi national coach Ron Cheatley said. That is a huge call!
Sarah Ulmer, world record holder, world champion, Olympic champion, and multiple Commonwealth Games Champion, retired from cycling last Saturday after a nerve problem in her leg, which had dogged her since 2000, finally proved too much.
Her former coach betwen 1997 and 2000 said Ulmer' single minded determination to win was among other things, the key to her success and far too rare these days across New Zealand' sporting landscape.
She had that determined streak that had set champions like Peter Snell, Murray Halberg and John Walker apart from their compatriots decades ago - that will to win, and not letting opponents get in her way. She never made excuses - other people may have for her, but she would never make them!
Many sports people today may be a little precious and guilty of blaming others and other things around them for failing to succeed - but not Sarah Ulmer. She was respected by opponents and the general public alike. She was a true champion!
Was she New Zealand's greatest cyclist? She was undoubtably the best ever female cyclist in New Zealand's history.
New Zealand sport would be all the poorer without her, and she would be missed on New Zealand's television screens too; she had been famous here for a particular food advertisement.
Goodbye Sarah!
Monday, November 26, 2007
A NEW FRONTIER IN HEALTH - THE GLYCONUTRIENTS - THE EIGHT MIRACLE SUGARS! READ THIS FANTASTIC STORY...
A new frontier in health - the Glyconutrients - the eight miracle sugars! Read this fantastic story!
What on earth am I going on about? What are these miracle sugars? What are they going to do for our health? Just what on earth is a glyconutrient?
Something virtually undetected until recent times, the glyconutrients, known as the miracle sugars offer a new universe or frontier of health potential. Does it ring a bell yet, or is it a total mystery? I like a good mystery, do you?
Scores of studies around the western world have linked the efficiences of these extraordinary sugars to everything from lupus, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, ADHD, to infertility and many more health problems.
Since they are so basic to the needs of every cell in the body, dozens of other illnesses have been linked to an inbalance of these sugars,and by increasing their intake through diet or supplementation it has led to the restoration and maintenance of the health of countless individuals.
These sugars are so very critical for human health. As far as immune enhancement is concerned, they must be viewed as absolutely essential for maximum disease prevention and maintenance.
Just what are these eight miracle sugar bullets for great health?
Glucose; galactose; fucose; mannose; xylose; n-acetyl- neuramic acid; n-acetyl-glucosamines; n-acetyl-galactosamines.
Only glucose and galactose are readily available in our everyday diets. The other six are not available and must be added through supplements.
The human body requires water, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, proteins, fats and carbohydrates to function properly. The foods we eat supply these macronutrients and come from a variety of sources. Once we moved away from the farm and to a fast food society, the need to suppement glyconutrients and other vital nutrients has become mandatory.
As only two of what I would call here magic, or miracle sugar bullets, are available in our modern diets, we have to look for other sources to provide the other six.
There are many plants around the world that have a high glyconutrient content: aloe vera; astragalus; saps; gums; garlic; certain mushrooms; yeasts; husks; breast milk; coconut meats; echinacea; maize; pectins from fruit; some algae; certain herbs, and many others.
There are several reasons why our modern diets and lifestyle actually provide us with less of the essential glyconutrients than our forebears.
Because of green harvests; processed foods (all the takeaways and takeouts)preservatives, increased toxins along with the limited variety of grocery store foods we eat, all reduce our vital supply glyconutrients. We have two, but must supplement the other six in our diets.
The above has been an overview of what our cells need to keep our bodies healthy and fully functional, and having the ability to repair damage - I will provide an Email link if you wish for further information: allara@xtra.co.nz "Glyconutrient information".
Posted by Kiwi Riverman at 9:09 PM 0 comments My other blogs
