Posts by Russell Brown
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I lost count of the number of times I door knocked someone who told me they had voted Labour all their life, but wouldn’t vote for us as long as you were leader.
I had a couple of those conversations with people I know, just casually.
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Hard News: A message from The Fabians, in reply to simon g,
It would be nice to think that there is more to Labour’s leadership contest than whether Trevor likes David or Grant likes Jacinda or another David likes some other David. Is there?
One would hope so.
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Hard News: A message from The Fabians, in reply to Craig Ranapia,
I may be a Tory, but it serves my interests as a citizen much better if Labour isn’t stuck playing out some political version of the Oresteia.
Of course. But the beltway frenzy is outrunning the number of things to actually report, and resulting in Patrick Gower's ridiculous series of tweets about Chris Hipkins this morning. Then there's the "Left" microparsing every sentence uttered by whatever guy they don't like and writing splenetic tweets about it. I'm feeling unfulfilled.
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Hard News: Five further thoughts, in reply to Farmer Green,
If this becomes news , then I can stop banging on about it , and head back down the back-paddock, and meditate under a tree :-).
What you you think about summing all this up into a guest post for us, FG?
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So even though I'm currently of the view that the obsessing about the predicament of the Labour Party is greatly outrunning the supply of actual news about same, I've agreed to do this gig. In part that's because the only other thing I've done with the Fabians struck me as offering the basis of a coherent and credible economic strategy that got us beyond the short-term window of much current policy. It seems a place where it's possible to have a sensible discussion.
Feel free to offer your constructive thoughts on the matter.
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Good to see someone speaking forthrightly. There are other people in more secure positions than Lisa (including the other scientists behind Fizz) who should stand up too.
Hate merchants at it again with smear tactics
Sunday, 28 September 2014, 1:00 pm
Press Release: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists
Hate merchants at it again with smear tactics
“It’s disappointing to see the hate merchants at it again with yet another attempt to smear and silence a health professional who’s doing research they disagree with,” says Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS).“Cameron Slater’s Whale Oil blog has repeatedly attacked the work being done by public health researchers, for example in the areas of nutrition and smoking, and now he’s having a go at Otago University nutrition expert Dr Lisa Te Morenga.
“Once again we see him using the word ‘trougher’ in a blog post in an offensive attempt to undermine the credibility of a health professional who is using her expertise to improve public health, and then on Twitter we see Carrick Graham and Jordan Williams also laying into Dr Te Morenga.
“These smear tactics were well documented in Nicky Hager’s Dirty Politics book and the resulting political revelations in the lead-up to the general election, and they’re unacceptable. Critiquing the conclusions of research is a valid part of health debate and discussion but this is just nasty stuff on the part of Whale Oil and others. New Zealand’s health professionals should be able to carry to carry out research and other investigations without fear of intimidation.”
Mr Powell says this latest attack on a health professional follows the recent visit here by British anti-tax spin doctor Christopher Snowdon to talk about the evils of taxing sugary soft drinks.
“It’s all part of a relentless campaign to undermine and silence people who are working to address issues like obesity, diabetes and public health. Our view is that sunlight is the best disinfection for those tactics.”
ENDS
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Speaker: Science and Democracy, in reply to Humph Applebey,
I’m not sure if there’s a ministry, department, society or foundation in NZ that hasn’t written about the cannabis law being a disaster.
Don't forget the two select committee inquiries ...
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Hard News: Friday Music: The swimmer…, in reply to Jack Harrison,
Buzz is a great pop singer. Like a Chris Knox but with a more sweeter tone. His voice and melody and phrasing always jangles the brain.
He comes up with such wonderful melodies. The new one included.
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Speaker: Science and Democracy, in reply to Bart Janssen,
So for the cannabis debate there is simply nothing he could say that already has not been said – the PMs office knows all the arguments and evidence and they have decided their policy based on ideology not evidence IMO.
Snap.
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Speaker: Science and Democracy, in reply to Humph Applebey,
When you say ‘generally’, does that leave a gap for willfully staying out of the cannabis policy disaster?
His voice should be heard, telling NZ – and Key – that the evidence is clear and to stop criminalising people. The costs to society are shocking.
Gluckman was responsible for a report that recommended the government stop criminalising young cannabis users. It was ignored, just as the Law Commission's thoughtful review of the Misuse of Drugs Act was ignored.
I honestly don't think Gluckman would have any luck trying again. These clowns aren't making drug policy on the basis of evidence or expert advice.
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