[KiwiHopeful]

The impression I have, and bear in mind that this is only from what I've read, is that while people in NZ are either Labour (left-center) or National (right-center), that divide doesn't define people in the way it has come to define us here in the US.

Have you read Alexander Elder's book, Straying from the Flock? He makes some observations about the political climate in NZ.

Of course, I doubt any place could be as divided as the US is. Last summer I spent a week in Quebec, in Montreal and Quebec City, and was struck by the fact that I did not see a single Canadian car with any political bumper stickers.

While we were in Montreal, there was a large pro-Palestinian/pro-Lebanon rally about two blocks from our hotel--I had no idea that it was going on until we watched the news that night! I said to my wife, "Oh, that's why there were all those Lebanese flags around!" And it suddenly made sense why we had seen more Muslim families in the nearby park that afternoon when we took the kids for a walk and a romp around the playground!

I guess that is what I'm hoping NZ will be like. I want people to be passionate about issues, but I am absolutely sick and tired of all of this 'treason' talk being thrown around and the illogical 'support our troops' by lengthening their tours of duty.

/rant off