Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: The Death of Evidence

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  • George Darroch,

    The speed of the outright dismissal and its tone are both notable. Power wasn't even trying to sound thoughtful.

    Yeah, I dig that.

    It has to be noted that this Government is acting like this in a great number of sectors. It might feel good, but I really can't see it being politically unsustainable in an MMP environment (it might have worked in previous decades...).

    WLG • Since Nov 2006 • 2264 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Bell,

    I think Simon Power will soon realise he shot his mouth off too early. From both his written press release and his comments on telly tonight show he probably hasn't been well briefed on the report.

    Thankfully tomorrow (Breakfast, Sunrise & Morning Report) I'm being given the opportunity to clarify some of his "misunderstandings".

    And I'd recommend you all tune into 9 to Noon - as it currently stands Kathryn will be interviewing Law Commission Deputy President Warren Young - unless Robin Brooke gets in first.

    Wellington, NZ • Since Nov 2006 • 175 posts Report Reply

  • Ross Mason,

    Visiting The Blue Libs one discovers that

    The Blue-Liberals group has been established to advocate for socially liberal values and policies within the National Party.

    Our core commitment is to economic and social freedom, responsible government and national identity with diversity.

    Although stated easily enough, these things involve striking a sometimes difficult balance. Social and economic freedom must be balanced against individual responsibility and the need to ensure an equitable marketplace. Responsible government does not mean 'no government', but government where and when it is needed to bring about positive outcomes. Diversity must be balanced against the need to uphold the unifying values of New Zealand society.

    Visiting my dictionary:

    Liberal

    –adjective
    1. favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.

    2. (often initial capital letter) noting or pertaining to a political party advocating measures of progressive political reform.

    3. of, pertaining to, based on, or advocating liberalism.

    4. favorable to or in accord with concepts of maximum individual freedom possible, esp. as guaranteed by law and secured by governmental protection of civil liberties.

    5. favoring or permitting freedom of action, esp. with respect to matters of personal belief or expression: a liberal policy toward dissident artists and writers.

    6. of or pertaining to representational forms of government rather than aristocracies and monarchies.

    7. free from prejudice or bigotry; tolerant: a liberal attitude toward foreigners.
    8. open-minded or tolerant, esp. free of or not bound by traditional or conventional ideas, values, etc.

    9. characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts: a liberal donor.

    10. given freely or abundantly; generous: a liberal donation.

    11. not strict or rigorous; free; not literal: a liberal interpretation of a rule.

    12. of, pertaining to, or based on the liberal arts.

    13. of, pertaining to, or befitting a freeman.

    Hahahaha hahahhahahaha hahaha

    ....it is a joke isn't it?

    Upper Hutt • Since Jun 2007 • 1590 posts Report Reply

  • Tom Semmens,

    It occured to me the other day that another benefit of legalising cannabis is being missed. Legalise pot and there would be a cannabis beer (or an alco-pot for the girls) in the liquor stores in no time, allowing you to get happily slowly stoned by drinking your lot of pot.

    The benefits of that over the harmful effects of smoking unfiltered dope has on the lungs and respiratory system seems obvious.

    Sevilla, Espana • Since Nov 2006 • 2217 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    If Power is really interested in having wars on drugs, he should look at what America's war on drugs has achieved over 50 years: massive prison muster, massive state spending and increased drug offences.

    Exhibit A, Your Honour. Privatised prisons. 'nuff said.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Misuse of Drugs Act issues paper published
    Posted by Iain Lees-Galloway on February 11th, 2010

    We could have a look here also but I'm late, forgive me if it's boring.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    <it tells you this is not the sharpest set of steak knives in the kitchen.

    Does anyone else think David Slack is the bomb? Or is it just me late for dinner? Wonderful metaphor

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • Just thinking,

    Dude, Mayor (Sideshow) Bob is aiming to make it a crime to drive slowly here in Christchurch.

    Christchurch Transport engineers used 1950 concepts in the 1970s. We have race tracks & no traffic, but the relative success of the Traffic Cops and the sober driving of boy racers, means in order to criminalise youth, they must ban slow driving.

    Sideshow went on a rant on RNZ, but all of what he stated is currently illegal, and would end in charges & fines.

    He really does need to get some runs on the board. He's scoring like my first time at in-door-cricket (negitive points are possible).

    As for this News about dope, it is a well documented path that prior too, or as part of the contract, private prisons are used to house the poor. They only take the prisoners who are no danger to society.

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    So, the govt. instantly dismisses, for no given reason, the preliminary findings of a long, expensive, and expert review.

    They only way they can possibly get away with this is if they can somehow hold their position until the media* move on to something else. </sarc>

    *present company excepted

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    You may be underestimating the public appetite for "toughness" on crime

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • recordari,

    This gummint' sure does pigheaded obstinance well. Power, Tolley, Collins... I mean it's not like politicians should; a) take advice from well-qualified professionals who know stuff about stuff or b) listen to their constituents.

    'You voted for this, so shut up and be grateful!' Yeah, not so much.

    AUCKLAND • Since Dec 2009 • 2607 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Daddy knows best

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Bizarrely, Peter Dunne is currently showing Power what a more measured response to the LawComm paper might look like.

    But still wants to drag people who commit small drug offences through the courts, even though there is no evidence that that actually prevents the use of illicit drugs.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen,

    Grrr argh indeed, but they are politicians and rate on par with real estate agents for morality – what did you expect, if it doesn't win votes they don't care.

    Prohibition of drugs does not work, but it’s easy. So let’s do easy and ignore that it doesn’t work.

    But just one point for those of you smoking cannabis, please stop pretending it’s so wonderful – Sure as a drug it isn’t worse or better than alcohol but it does have the added joy of being as bad as smoking tobacco for you and for those around you. Legalise it, tax it and stick hideous pictures of lung cancer on the packets please.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Just thinking,

    Bart it's the mental health stats that'll be the added joy.
    A photo of my uncle at the Sallys Mens Hostel will do.

    That said, what a totally logical approach by the law comm.

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    as bad as smoking tobacco

    Anyone who's smoking enough cannabis for that to be true has other problems.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen,

    it's the mental health stats that'll be the added joy

    Sure but that is true for alcohol as well. Basically anything that messes with your brain chemistry has the chance of screwing up your brain for good. But messing with brain chemistry is kind of the point of drugs.

    Learning what works for you in a safe environment is what you'd hope society would aim for, but no we think that forcing the drug culture underground so kids try drugs in unsafe uncontrolled environments surrounded by people who don't care about them is a smart thing to do grrr argggh (the new word of the year?)

    Is it too early for a cider?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Bart Janssen,

    who's smoking enough

    boggle - you are kidding right Sacha - do you really believe there is a safe amount of smoke?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 4461 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I'm comparing the behaviour of tobacco smokers with cannabis smokers, anecdatally. One seems more likely to be constant consumption many times a day than the other. Dosage affects cancer, etc. That's my logic.

    Happy to be shown evidence that disagrees with that, but must now focus on preparing for the lovely weekend of Foo-ness ahead. May drop back in.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Just thinking,

    True Bart, but massively different levels of risk between the two drugs.

    Beer is the breakfast drink - see Tom Browns School Days.

    Putaringamotu • Since Apr 2009 • 1158 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    He wasn't perfect, but he did things no one had done before him.

    Yes, no one banned BZP in exactly the same way that he did it.

    boggle - you are kidding right Sacha - do you really believe there is a safe amount of smoke?

    I doubt that's what he's saying. It's more like "if you smoked 20 joints a day lung cancer would be the least of your worries". The biggest stoners I know would never have that much, and they are already high all the time.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    Thanks, Ben. And 'safe drug' is up there with military intelligence and honest politician.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Jeremy Eade,

    So sober Minister Power shows an intellectual infancy to a problem that end result is a legal and social nightmare of petty court cases, overstated hysteria and considerable weirdness felt by many casual and non-casual observers.It is a waste of a police force.

    If you can’t issue an intellectual response beyond “drugs are bad ya know” after such a timely and well thought out report then he should be sacked, because as we all know reading is a key component of todays world.

    Simon, we pay you to read , if you are not up to reading quit?

    Thank you Law Commission.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report Reply

  • MikeE,

    @I/S
    "Brian Fallow got it right: "[T]is a profoundly conservative Government and that what it is chiefly interested in conserving is its popularity." Sensible, evidence-based drug-policy doesn't play well with the redneck "tough on crime" vote, and so they're not interested in doing it."

    But it should, sensible drug policy should free up more $$$ resources, court resources, prison beds etc, completely assfuck the gangs source of money - all giving the cops more time/money/space to go real tough on real crime.

    Drug liberalisation SHOULD be a rednecks wet dream for getting all them real criminals.. rapists/murderers/robbers etc, yet it isn't.

    Its all about the packaging - and thats how I've constantly thought it should be packaged.

    Washington DC • Since Nov 2006 • 138 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    Don't know why people are so shocked by National's ideological blinkers, even in the face of saving money. This is the same National that cut the Police budget in favour of pouring many multiples of the cut into prisons, despite solid evidence that the biggest deterrent to many crimes is the likelihood of being caught not what'll happen to you if you are.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

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