WEEK THAT WAS

The Nepal earthquake has devastated the country. The final death toll could be 10k. Parts of Nepal are a crumbling mess with many of wonderful world heritage sites obliterated.

The interesting thing is that the aid agencies were well prepared for the quake. They had stocked supplies. Waiting for the inevitable. By God those aid agencies do a great job.

BALI NINE

The Bali Nine ringleaders Chan and Sukumaran were finally executed. Shot for smuggling over 8kg of heroin.

There is something in me that says they got what they deserved even if the sentence was extreme.

They had their eyes wide open and knew the consequences.

Execution by firing squad may be barbaric, their justice system cruel and corrupt, but these are sovereign countries and what we think doesn't count.

If you don't like it, don't go there.

PONYTAILS

The young woman who complained about the PM pulling her ponytail is being egged on by the union.

The Unite Union is on board now and talking all sorts of action against the PM and the owners of the cafe.

The unions target is the PM who they hate.

The woman is the vehicle to nail John Key.

The problem is, I doubt she has much of a case. Considering she didn't even tell her employers its hard to see how she can throw them under a bus.

Legal action against the PM might be quite fun for the unions but it all looks to be a bridge too far.

LEN

Auckland mayor Len Brown actually has some support for his targeted transport levy.

Its a way of getting around the government refusing to legislate for tolls and fuel taxes.

The bottom line is this - transport infrastructure has to be paid for somehow. There is no question that infrastructure is needed. Wait and it will cost billions more.

I would sell assets to pay for more critical infrastructure but the mayor and his left leaning council are ideologically opposed. There is a degree of opposition to asset sales in the community too. So, a levy is it.

On the question of the Ports - well the council and the mayor have been weak.

They have been railroaded by the Ports Board. In the back of their mind is the dividend the Ports pays.

Complete lack of foresight. No vision. I suspect a rout of council next year.