Nothing for it....I mean they should wear nothing. Make the sport damn more interesting. The original Olympics was originally held in the nude (including wrestling, but men only!).
Ok they will shave their bodies. And probablly start rubbing all sorts of lotions in (now there is a job for volunteers!). And shave their heads.. ok it might be some sort of freak-show....

heh - small club was provocative and got a reaction!
My main point was to challenge the assumption that te unions were not represented in the media, when my perception was the opposite. I'd like some hard data - say comparing 1980's (high?); 1990's (low?); 2000's (med?).

And I don't see this as identifying a specific 'pro' or 'anti' stance. I respect unions for what they do for protecting specific employees rights particularly for the more vulnerabe; but feel uncomfortable when they take on more generic political campaigns (when they tend to get more into the media). There is a tendency then for the leadership to take a direction that may not be in step with members views - and I think there is probably some historical evidence for that.

But I guess this happens with any club: my wife likes us to belong to the AA - as she has been 'rescued' a few times. But we don't agree with everything they say on transport!

This week's Media7 has two themes. One is media coverage -- or the lack of it -- of the trade union movement.

What lack of it? It might have gone done since the election, but what struck me over the last 9 years under Labour was the increasing commentary by unions. It was like the heyday of Douglas and the bushy eyebrow guy.
"Economy is up; hemlines are down here is Andrew Little to talk about these important issues". Not bad coverage for a small club.

Please - no oxygen for Kevin Roberts. I skimmed a copy of Lovemarks. It was brain-searingly awful up there with (no, worse than) Vogon poetry and something like I imagine the glossy creationst publications of Harun Yahya. Don't ever give KR Scientology material - he will want to start his own religion too: Love-ology, and ooh we have all these volcanies too!!!

David, you mention that there was some good experiences (intensive care etc.) but the 'bits in between' was what let you down. That was the problem in our experience. Lack of integration between parts of the medical system (and accountablity), inadequate callback procedures for key staff, poor physical layout and some arbitrary rules. A dead baby at the end of it, despite some talented caring people. Oh, and if it had been a home birth there would have been three (unremarkable birth story) children without a mother.

Birth is a risky process and there is an intense fragility about it that some are unaware of. So pleased you all and lovely Bob got through all that.

On taxis:
Wellington Combined - I have been off them for a number of years for their xenophobic, racist, and down-right patronising advertising. Thank goodness for Green Cabs now - efficient in all ways!
Dunedin - charning southern hospitality - the most friendly drivers in the country.
Auckland - stressed out drivers - you can see why.

$250 per head? Very reasonable. 94 people sitting on their arse talking vision and values? – a downright disgrace and a red alert of poor leadership. 94 people for f***ks sake!
It is mainly in the public sector these sort of faddish bonding sessions still happening – most corporates got bored with them in 90’s – and hey its not public money there anyway.. And with the rampant public sector growth in backroom staff there are more of these ineffectual fart-up-the-department sessions than before, big and small. Most who attend these sorts of things know what a waste of time they are (I have!). Generally these are called by sociopath-CEO’s who need this sort of event as it is there sole outlet for a social life or ‘personal expression’ (think Rankin here). Stuff all changes back at the coal face. Good leaders don’t do this crap.

I’ve recently been at a few annual retreats of senior management in the private sector. Averages : 6 people, less than $250/day for 1 day, concrete actions arising – changes to at least 20% of the business; time spent talking of vision and values <1 minute.