New Zealand for sale on e-bay?
I was shocked the other day to hear the story about New Zealand being put up for
auction on e-bay. At first I thought this was a sick Aussie joke but then I quickly
realized that it must be true because e-bay are extremely cautious(!) on what
they allow (out of the ordinary) to be posted for auction on their website.
Further details revealed a high bid of what I seem to remember was 1,200
but I don’t know whether that was Euros, Swiss Francs, US dollars or Kiwi coins.
Of course it might have even been Canadian dollars which currently are viewed as
a much safer bet than US dollars due to our vast reserves of oil, gas,and forestry,
along with a large array of precious metals.
I am not certain what resources the Kiwis have that would be of interest to the rest
of the world other than the All Blacks(rugby), and the even more successful Black
Sox softball team. But surely there must be immense treasures that I am unaware
of, just waiting to be had in this oceanic shangri-la.
What astounded me even more than hearing the Kiwis were up for auction was the
fact that the high bid was only 1200.! What a bunch of pikers! Where are the
tycoons of the fastball world when there is a bargain to be had? Where you guys
asleep when all this was going on? Perhaps you didn’t know what an e-bay is or
were too busy trying to conspire with your cohorts in bending (breaking?) the rules
that would allow you to have an all-import team for the ISC World Championship.
Whatever the reason, the bigwigs missed a golden opportunity to assemble one of
the greatest teams to ever compete in the ISC.
Imagine, for less than 2000 (pick your currency) one of you could have had a team that
could have finagled an invite from the ISC (as an international representative of NZ),
to the 2006 ISC World Tournament in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, August 11-19th.
Let us hope that size didn’t play any part in your decision not to bid on this wonderful
opportunity. Sure, New Zealand is relatively small in relation to other countries and,
yes, they only have about 3 million inhabitants. But what the heck where you waiting
for, Australia to be put up for auction?
Oh, sure, the Aussies have kangaroos, cute koala bears, and 100 million-billion rabbits.
But look at all the desert you would get in the deal! Who needs that? Not to mention
people that talk like Paul Hogan, the actor. That would get on your nerves real quick.
So, let’s not hear any complaining at this year’s ISC World in Kitchener, Aug.11-19th.
You mental midgets had your golden opportunity and you blew it, big-time!
Roger May
Etobicoke, Canada
16.May.06
