In April there was an outcry over the FBI charging Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan with obstruction of justice over her letting someone wanted by ICE leave by a different door in her courtroom.

At the time it was seen as an authoritarian move, without precedent.

However it is newsworthy that Judge Dugan has been found guilty by a jury. The charges against here were substantiated, and it seems she did indeed go out of her way to frustrate federal agents from doing their job. In summary she:

• Lied to agents that their administrative warrant wasn’t sufficient, and that they needed a judicial warrant
• Told them to go see the Chief Judge, to get them out of the way
• Sped the case through, to allow the defendant to leave quickly and by a different door
• Told her court reporter she knew she had done wrong, and that she could get in trouble for it

There are many bad things the Trump Administration has done. But this prosecution wasn’t one of them.

The Taxpayers’ Union released:

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that the Department of Conservation’s “Always Be Naturing” campaign, which will cost $2.07 million, is projected to bring in revenue and savings of $16.4 million through private-sector partnerships, donations, and value-in-kind support over the campaigns three year timeframe. …

“Too often government agencies just spend on glossy ads with no measurable return. In this case, DOC has unlocked millions in private-sector support, resources and expertise that would otherwise never have materialised.”

“The lesson for other ministries is clear that private sector partnerships work. Instead of asking for bigger budgets, agencies should be focused on how to attract private investment and deliver real value.”

This is indeed a great example of a pubic-private partnership. May we see more of them.

I was around 10 years old when I went to an athletics meeting at Cooks Gardens in Wanganui. The purpose was to see two of my heroes race – John Walker and Rod Dixon. Armed with a sparking new autograph book I entered the stadium and saw two seven foot tall men walking up the hill near me. The ground shook with each step and the air around them sparked with electricity. Trembling, I made my way to them and stuck the book and pen in front of John Walker. He looked down and thundered; “What do you say boy?”. A very small “please” was all I could mutter. I then made my way to Rod Dixon, whose whole face smiled (including the GREAT moustache). He signed his name – patted me on the back – and had a fan for life.

I became enamored with athletics in 1974 when two remarkable races occurred at the Commonwealth Games in Christchurch. In the opening track event Dick Tayler won in spectacular style in a time that still ranks as the 7^th fasted 10,000m time by a NZ male. Then, in the 1500m for men the great Tanzanian, Filbert Bayi, won (in world record time) after being chased by John Walker (2^nd) and Rod Dixon (4^th).

I was 8 years old in 1974 and slow to realise that wonderful things had happened in NZ distance running prior to my awakening. USA’s Jesse Owens was, rightfully, the most celebrated athlete of Hitler’s 1936 Berlin Olympics. However, we should be forever proud of Jack Lovelock wining the 1500m – as commentated by Harold Abrahams of Chariots of Fire fame.

During the late 1940s and 1950s Arthur Lydiard experimented on himself to test the endurance running theories that he had developed. He transformed himself from a smoking, drinking, casual athlete in his thirties to being a multiple national title winner and 1950s Empire Games Marathon Runner. He is remembered as one of the world’s great athletics coaches and was even credited by two incredible Dutch swimmers at the Sydney Olympics for influencing their programmes. He was responsible for coaching up to 15 Olympic gold medals across multiple nations – but especially for mentoring 21 year old Peter Snell (800m) and Murray Halberg (5000m) to Rome Olympic Gold medals one hour apart – as well as Barry Magee earning a bronze in the marathon.

More was to follow in 1964 with Snell gold medals in the 800m and 1500m,  and John Davies finishing third in the 1500m. On the women’s side Marise Chamberlain won the bronze medal in the 800m. In 1968 Mike Ryan won a bronze in the marathon and then in 1972 21 year old Rod Dixon burst onto the world running scene with a bronze medal in the 1500m.

Lydiard did not coach all of these athletes but was no doubt influential. In the early 2000s, while doing some post-graduate work I got to spend a day with Arthur Lydiard to talk through a range of things. He remained deeply knowledgeable and inspirational. When I got home I put on my running shoes and headed out around One Tree Hill – where he had trained so many athletes. His international influence is incredible to the extent that, when the great USA coach – Bill Bowewman – was with him in NZ Bowerman asked his plan on one day and Lydiard said that he was taking a group for a “jog”. The term became synonymous with a world-wide revolution.

New Zealand is a small place. My son’s coach, and my close friend, Jack Ralston, was a Lydiard runner. Through that connection my son got to spend a weekend in Texas with Sir Peter Snell and his wife Miki. At Jack Ralston’s funeral in 2012 Rod Dixon was the main speaker. Rod and I have been friends since then.

Jack used to tell a wonderful story that, when he was a teenager running with the Lydiard group, it was early season and they did the 22 mile “Waitarura”. Jack caught up to Snell in Titirangi and Snell told him to ask Lydiard to get someone to pick him up. Jack arrived at Lydiard’s home and converyed the message. Lydiard asked Jack how he got there. Jack responded … “on my legs”. Lydiard said … “well Snell can do the same.” When Snell finally arrived he expressed his displessure with Jack!

From his 1972 bronze at Munich Dixon became something of the “almost man”. He was fourth in the Bayi Walker 1500m in 1974. When Walker powered home for a gold medal in the 1500m at the Montreal Olympics in 1976 (after setting a world mile record the year before) – Rod Dixon and Dick Quax chose the 5000m. Quax was favoured to win but Lasse Viren of Finland claimed his fourth Olympic Gold (backed by Lydiard) and Dixon was 4^th. In the 1978 Commonwealth Games Dixon was favoured to win the 5000m but his specialised shoes were stolen before the final and, on a borrowed pair, he claimed fourth. No NZ runner could compete at the 1980 Olympics in Moscow due to a boycott and Dixon did not go to the 1982 Commonwealth Games (although he was third in the World Cross Country championships).

1983 was when the “almost man” became the legend as Rod Dixon won the New York City Marathon in the most remarkable manner after trailing by over two minutes with 10km to go. It was a fitting achievement for a man who had also dominated 10km road running through the USA for a number of years.

Lorrainne Moller was, similarly, a part of a superb and high achieving group of NZ women runners through the period at Commonwealth, Olympic and international road running and Marathoning. Anne Audain was a triple Olympian, gold and silver medalist at Commonwealth Games level and a world 5000m record holder. At her peak Audain was also dominant in road running in the USA. Alison Roe in 1981 won both the Boston and NYC Marathons.

Like Walker, Dixon and Audain, Lorrain Moller represented NZ in the 1974 Commonwealth Games – at a time when women were not allowed to run more than 800m. She represented NZ at four Olympic in the Marathon with a bronze in Barcelona in 1992. She also won two track bronze medals at the 1982 Commonwealth Games and a silver in the Marathon at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. Of the marathon majors she won Boston in 1984. She was also a world marathon champion and world record holder.

Both Lorraine Moller and Rod Dixon have given plenty back to their sport and in other charity work. Lorraine has also consistently promoted the work and heritage of Arthur Lydiard. Rod Dixon’s Kids Marathon is a wonder success in the USA – and recently in Nelson. At North Harbour Stadium on February 19^th this year we will begin a 7 week Kids Marathon event and have other weekly races for older school children and adults (would love any particpation and support).

It was a great privilege for my generation to grow up admiring and being inspired by these remarkable people. Nick Willis, Kimberly Smith and others carried the baton forward and current young people have brilliant athletes such a NZ’s first World Track Champion, Geordie Beamish, our fastest ever woman over 1500m, Maia Ramsden, the world’s youngest ever sub 4-minute miler, Sam Ruthe and double Olympian Sam Tanner. Add to that sprinter Zoe Hobbs, Olympic Gold Medalist in the High Jump, Hamish Kerr, and wonderful Shot Putters Tom Walsh, Maddi Wesche, Lisa Adams and Jacko Gill, pole vaulters Eliza McCartney and Olivia McTaggart – and it is clear that there is plenty for 10 year old NZers today to be as inspired as I was at Cooks Gardens in the 1970s.

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The Taxpayers’ Union points out:

A new Taxpayers’ Union briefing paper, Robbing Peter to Pay Paul’s Doctor: Why Tax Indexing Makes More Sense, shows the tax system is quietly making cost-of-living pressures worse through “bracket creep”, pushing workers into higher tax bands simply because of inflation — the Christmas Grinch pinching a little extra from Kiwi pay packets. 

Taxpayers’ Union Policy Analyst, Austin Ellingham-Banks, said:  

“Bracket creep has already seen the average Kiwi lose $238 since the income tax brackets were adjusted in 2024 simply because tax brackets haven’t kept pace with inflation. The loss is set to grow year after year if nothing changes.” 

“That $238 alone is enough to pay for four GP visits a year at average district prices, which exceeds the three visits Labour’s Medicard would offer. The difference is that indexation lets families decide how to use their own money, rather than funneling relief through a single, government-designed scheme that only applies if you happen to need a doctor.” 

“Indexing tax brackets is simple, fiscally responsible, and universal. It stops future inflation-driven tax hikes, avoids pushing unnecessary demand onto already stretched GP clinics, and gives households flexibility as costs rise.  

I am a strong proponent of indexing tax brackets to inflation. We index welfare payments to inflation so people on welfare keep their real income the same. We should do the same for people not on welfare.

Rob Reiner and his wife did not pass away. They were stabbed to death by (allegedly) their troubled son. It had nothing to do with politics or Trump. Rather than say nothing, Trump effectively gloats over the brutal stabbing of one of his critics.

But this is how the US President thinks one should respond. It is a useful reminder that while Trump can have some good policies, he is fundamentally a vile human being.

Sir Tim Shadbolt has died aged 78. He was an iconic New Zealand – probably more well known than 90% of MPs.

He was elected Mayor 11 times – twice for Waitemata City and nine times for Invercargill.

He also has stood for Mayor of Auckland twice, Dunedin once and MP for Selwyn once.

As I have reported on, he should have retired before his final term. But he should be remembered for all the good he did for Invercargill. He really put it on the map, and was such a champion for it.

Shane Jones announced:

The first major mining project, Waihi North, has gained consent today to expand operations until 2043 through the Fast-track process, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Resources Minister Shane Jones say.

“Oceana Gold’s Waihi North mining project is a nationally significant investment that will deliver substantial economic benefits for the Waikato region and New Zealand,” Mr Bishop says. …

Mr Jones says the project is expected to generate $5.2 billion in additional silver and gold exports over its 18-year life – around $286 million per year.

“That annual figure is equivalent to 64 per cent of New Zealand’s wool exports and 14 per cent of wine exports. It is a substantial boost to New Zealand’s exports.

“The Waihi North Project will support around 800 jobs in Hauraki District and beyond over its 18-year life, and these well-paid jobs will inject millions into the regional economy while boosting export earnings for the country.”

Mr Bishops says the expert panel concluded that over the life of the project, Crown revenue including corporate tax, PAYE and royalties, will deliver a net present value of $422 million.

More exports, more jobs and more tax. A win-win-win. And this is in an area where mining is already occurring.

The Reserve Bank announced:

“Following the completion of the review commissioned by the Board in March, we are pleased to announce modernised capital rules that will support an efficient and resilient financial system,” said Rodger Finlay, Chair of the RBNZ Board.

“We recalibrated our risk appetite to have regard to our new Financial Policy Remit, and to reflect important developments since 2019, including the introduction of the Depositor Compensation Scheme, and more intensive supervision, enforcement, and resolution approaches. This led us to ease common equity requirements across the system by around $5 billion compared to current levels, while still remaining confident in our system resilience.”

The package announced today includes reduced requirements for common equity, more granular risk weights, simplification of capital instruments, and greater alignment of instruments for the ‘big four’ banks with Australian settings. The final package further refines risk weights consulted on in August.

The previous requirements were somewhere between overly conservative and punitive. They were greater than other jurisdictions. The tension is:

Capital requirements are a foundational part of our prudential framework. Our rules specify the minimum percentage of a deposit taker’s funding that must come from its owners. Capital requirements that are too low risk deposit takers being unable to absorb unexpected losses when they arise and therefore failing – which may impose a direct fiscal cost on New Zealand taxpayers, as well as reducing the long-run prosperity and well-being of New Zealanders. Conversely, capital requirements that are too high can reduce credit availability and increase costs unnecessarily.

So this will allow more lending, at a lower cost.

Melissa Lee has put a bill into the ballot to make some good reforms to the Harmful Digital Communications Act. The ACT has provided relief to many people who have suffered online harm, but has also been weaponised to stop legitimate criticism.

They key changes proposed are:

• Interim orders are only to be made if they are necessary to prevent or reduce ongoing harm to the applicant
• Interim orders without notice must only be made in extraordinary circumstances where ongoing or imminent harm to the applicant is severe
• Provides that digital communications that are in the public interest or made for a lawful purpose are not offences
• Political commentary is given a higher level of protection
• Final orders can’t be made on a without notice basis

These seem eminently sensible, and I hope if the bill is drawn all parties support it.

The health system is slowly turning around, with key indicators improving. Still a long way to go, but the latest data on mental health targets is encouraging. Over the last year we have seen:

• Mental health and addiction-related stays in ED <6hrs from 63.5% to 66.8%
• Accessing specialist mental health and addiction services seen within three weeks of referral from 80.4% to 82.2%
• Accessing primary mental health and addiction services  within one week from 80.8% to 83.4%
• 349 more mental health and addiction professionals trained
• Mental health and addiction ringfenced investment allocated to prevention and early intervention up from 23.9% target to 24.4%

The overall health system targets have mainly improved since the year to June 2024.

• Cancer treatment within 31 days from 83.5% to 86.8%
• 24 month immunisation rate from 76.5% to 82.6%
• Seen in ED within six hours from 71.2% down to 68.9%
• Specialist appt within four months from 61.5% to 65.9%
• Elective treatment within four months from 61.4% to 65.9%

So the ED waiting time is the only one not improved, and has to be the major focus going forward.

For those interested this was the record under Labour:

• Cancer treatment within 31 days from 88.6% to 83.5%, down 5.1 percentage points
• 24 month immunisation rate from 91.9% to 76.5%, down 15.4 percentage points
• Seen in ED within six hours from 89.5% down to 71.2%, down 18.3 percentage points
• Specialist appt within four months from 97.8% to 61.5%, down 36.3 percentage points
• Elective treatment within four months from 95.1% to 61.4%, down 33.7 percentage points

Labour’s legacy was a disaster.

In Nepal, young social media users highlighted displays of wealth by families of government officials. The Govt tried to ban social media, and protests occurred resulting in the fall of their communist Prime Minister.

In Bulgaria, the Government announced tax hikes to fund the pay of high-ranking officials, government administration and security institutions, and protests brought that Government down within weeks.

And the Iranian regime is tottering over massive nationwide protests as a result of a cost of living crisis fuelled by high inflation and tax increases.

Centrist Publishing has released:

Centrist Publishing says it is prepared to respond to dozens of formal complaints following its television campaign forJacinda: The Untold Stories during the Graham Norton show on TVNZ 2, Friday night.

The advertisements — which promote the book’s bestseller status under the tagline “The Real Story”, and reference discussion around a potential UN role and a US$20 million philanthropic gift from Melinda Gates — aired multiple times during Ardern’s interview with Graham Norton on TVNZ 2, and again later in the evening.

That’s very funny that they advertised the book, during hew Graham Norton interview.

Incidentally the book has been on the NZ best seller lists for the last four weeks, yet I’ve yet to see a single review of it in legacy media.

It is a truism to stage that John Clarke was a brilliant man.

This week I am going to the movies to see:

It is appropriate to remember that his did the first formal evaluation of a “knowledge based curriculum” in New Zealand.

We have lost so much in NZ over the last 20 years by choosing to take politicians so seriously.

[email protected]

Stuff writes:

“Takiri Mai te Ata Trust regional manager Catherine Manning said the Wellington-based trust received an email this week stating it had to either start supplying the vape kits or have its contract terminated, despite signing a new contract earlier that year.”

They are funded to stop people smoking.

“Health NZ gives the trust just under $3 million across a two year period. It must complete targets to renew its contract – such as having 60% of its referrals enrolled, and recieved [sic] 1500 referrals last year.”

So, Takiri Mai te Ata Trust had to enrol at least 1,500 smokers over two years at a minimum average cost of $2,000 each.  What Stuff does not ask, or tell readers, is what the Trust’s quit rate was. They were given $3 million of taxpayer funding and that is a lot of money.

It transpires that Casey Costello’s $575,000 vape kit trial, which got a lot of stick from the usual suspects at Otago Public Health, has contributed 36% of all confirmed quitters in just the first eight months of 2025.  That is amazing data so why does Stuff bury it:

“Of the 5261 people who quit smoking between January and August this year, 1889 people – 36% of people who quit smoking – used a Health New Zealand vape kit.”

At $319 per confirmed quitter, this seems great value compared to a minimum $2,000 for an enrolled smoker at the Takiri Mai te Ata Trust, where we have no clue as to how many quit after millions of taxpayers dollars. 

Despite 25-years of taxpayer support for the Takiri Mai te Ata Trust, potentially adding up to tens of millions, the words of Trust regional manager Catherine Manning suggest it had forgotten the point of taxpayer funding, is smoking cessation:

“Vaping did not morally or ethically align with Māori tikanga, and she said the trust had a desire to protect both the breath and the whakapapa.”

That’s nice. But if they won’t use the methods that are most effective in getting Maori to stop smoking, then they shouldn’t expect taxpayer money for being ineffective.

Full marks to Casey Costello for backing what works and axing what doesn’t. 

The BBC reports:

Campaigner Keira Bell has told the BBC she believes the planned clinical trial of puberty blocking drugs for gender-questioning children is unethical and children “are essentially going to be harmed”.

The Pathways trial, run by King’s College London researchers, will look at how to improve care for children under 16 at NHS gender clinics.

The UK medicines’ regulator has approved the study to begin in January, and the research team says it has been designed “to meet rigorous scientific and ethics standards”.

Ms Bell and fellow campaigner, psychotherapist James Esses, have sent lawyers’ letters to Health Secretary Wes Streeting and medical research organisations arguing it should be stopped.

I disagree on this issue.

Medical “establishments” in multiple countries did fail to provide good care to young persons who are gender dysphoric or incongruent. There was a culture that any incongruence must mean they are trans, and should get puberty blockers. Shamefully staff who protested this were often silenced for forced out. It is quite possible a large number of girls who were merely lesbians, were convinced they were in fact trans as only one solution was put forward to their gender incongruence or dysphoria. It is quite legitimate to be very wary of what many of these medical groups did or said.

The Cass Review found that the evidence for the benefits and risks of puberty blockers was weak, and the (Labour) UK Government banned them as a result until there was better evidence. The NZ Government has taken a similar stance to the UK Government.

But one can condemn what happened in the past, but also be open to what a proper trial will find in terms of benefits and risks. Just because the evidence in the past was poor or weak, doesn’t mean we should say that there is no need to try and gain strong useful evidence.

My general position is that the younger the person is, the higher the barrier should be to assessing whether they should be able to consent to and receive drugs such as puberty blockers. An 8 year old is very different to a 14 year old, for instance. But I am very interested in the findings of a high quality trial, and then an informed debate on whether puberty blockers are appropriate for gender dysphoria – and if so at what age and under what conditions.

I quote Dr Hilary Cass:

Dr Hilary Cass said she was “really pleased” Prof Simonoff and the KCL team were undertaking the trial.

She said: “My review uncovered a very weak evidence base for benefits from the use of puberty blockers for children and young people with gender dysphoria. In fact, some children had more negative than positive effects.

“However, given that there are clinicians, children and families who believe passionately in the beneficial effects, a trial was the only way forward to make sense of this.”

She added: “Although a lot of media attention has focused on the trial, they have a much broader research programme. Following the outcomes for young people who do not elect for a medical pathway will be just as important as following those who do.”

I agree with Dr Cass.

Today I was counterprotesting the anti-Israel protest in Auckland CBD by holding a sign saying HAMAS RAPED ROMI GONEN and almost immediately anti-Israel protesters came to block the public’s view of my sign with a large kheffiyeh. Romi Gonen, by the way, is a civilian Israeli hostage who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival.

The protesters remained in front of me blocking my sign for the entire duration of the protest. I took footage:

I have never before got angry at any of these protests, even though I found the same man blocking a sign a few weeks ago saying HAMAS IS A TERRORIST ORGANISATION to be appalling. Today crossed a line. It is disgusting, appalling, outrageous beyond belief that the same demographic of people who otherwise tell the world to “believe all women” and that the burden of proof should be reversed in criminal rape cases are silencing Romi Gonen’s story.

I asked the man in the first video how he would feel if Hamas had raped his mother or his sister. No reply. I note that both of the people who blocked the sign are Kaiāwhina (helpers) i.e. staff associated with the event.

The Herald reports:

A long-running investigation into West Auckland social services provider Waipareira Trust’s hundreds of thousands of dollars of political donations to the campaigns of its chief executive John Tamihere has concluded with the charity avoiding deregistration.

Incredible.

A further story reports:

As the Waipareira Trust faced pressure from regulators in May 2023 over whether it would recoup more than $385,000 advanced in contentious loans to support the political campaigns of its chief executive John Tamihere, the charity awarded its boss a bonus totalling the exact amount owed to enable repayment.

This was just blatant defiance of the regulator and the law. They were told the it was illegal to donate to political campaigns, so they said it was a loan. They were then told the loan must be repaid, and they paid a non-contractural bonus to Tamihere in the exact amount of the loan, which effectively did make it a donation again. It was blatant defiance, yet the charity regulator rewards them with a wet bus ticket instead of reregistration.

A spokeswoman for regulator Charities Services also said the settlement would see changes at the top of the Waipareira Trust. “Tamihere will no longer be employed by Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust,” the spokeswoman said, adding that he would remain employed by a cluster of other charities restructured as the Waipareira Investment Group.

In a statment published Thursday afternoon on Waipareira’s Facebook page, chairman Raymond Hall acknowledged the CRB decision, but disputed any change in role for Tamihere.

“There are no changes to Waipareira’s trustees or executive leadership because of this decision. John Tamihere continues in his role as chief executive officer of Te Whānau o Waipareira Trust,” Hall said.

Charities Services just look like incompetent fools.

When news first broke of the US attack on Venezuela, I was perplexed as just bombing Venezuela was unlikely to overthrow Maduro, and a full invasion could be costly. I did wonder if it was part of a plan to capture Maduro, and so it was. In just 150 minutes Maduro was a prisoner of the United States, and not a single US solider was killed. From a military point of view it was an incredible operation, and one that could cause other country leaders to have a nervous night’s sleep – be it Cuba or Denmark.

Maduro rigged the last election and was an illegitimate President. His departure will be welcomed by many Venezuelans. There is already huge celebrations. He was guided by Cuban security guards as he couldn’t even trust his own people not to turn on him.

While Maduro was a bad man, does that mean the US was justified in using military force to seize him? There are many countries with bad leaders. The answer is somewhere between a possible yes and a probable no. He was under indictment from US courts on drug charges, and there was a precedent based on the invasion of Panama to seize Manuel Noriega. However Panama actually had declared war on the US, and a US marine was shot at a road block. This gave George H W Bush greater justification. Also there was broad political consensus in the US for military action. I doubt the actions in Venezuela are legal under international law, but it is no surprise Trump would not be concerned with opinions on this.

It is also worth noting that Trump sent troops in to arrest Maduro on drug smuggling charges, but a few weeks ago he pardoned Juan Orlando Hernández, the former president of Honduras, from his 45 year sentence for drug smuggling.

I thought that the removal of Maduro would see María Corina Machado Parisca become President – the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize Winner and opposition leader. But Trump rather dismissively said she is a “nice woman” but not got enough support to be President of Venezuela. Maybe he is annoyed at her for winning what he saw as his peace prize. So for now VP Delcy Venezuela is the President of Venezuela.

Trump has said Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will lead a team to run Venezuela, making this tweet before that announcement even funnier. For those who don’t know Rubio is the Secretary of State, Acting National Security Advisor and Acting National Archivist of the United States.

It is very unclear what will happen next. Trump is not going to do an Iraq and remove all aspects of the previous administration from power (which was a critical mistake). In fact he seems to be doing what I thought should have been done in Iraq, which is to tell the next in line to run the country but behave well or they’ll be captured also.

He has also said US oil companies will take over the running of Venezuela oil. Now their infrastructure was run down by the previous Government, which is partly when so many are now in poverty there. But Trump is saying some of the money will go to the US to reimburse them, so for once we do have a US war that was about oil! (the left thing every US war is about oil!). I am not sure how US companies can run Venezuela oil without US troops on the ground.

It is also very unclear if there will be regional fighting for power, as nature abhors a vacuum. So while the outcome of Maduro in custody with no loss of US life is a good one, it could still turn very messy.

This tweet seems to sum things up rather well!