Posts by Rich of Observationz
Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First
-
Isn't Christine Rankin going to run for Mayor of Auckland?
Maybe we should go back to the old law that lunatics can't run for public office?
-
a simple petri dish lab test will prove the microbial efficacy of these essential oils
I think that Sodium Hypochlorite (aka household bleach) will also effectively clean up a petri dish.
Whether it will effectively kill bacteria in the body in a smaller does than that required to kill you is I think less likely.
If lavender oil really kills bacteria in the body then:
- why isn't it trialed and prescribed?
- why don't bacteria develop resistance as they have against all other antibiotic chemicals?(Incidentally, if it did work, then it should really be restricted to prescription use so that incorrect use *doesn't* lead to lavender oil resistant bacteria).
(Or do these hippy substances not beat the bacteria over the head with chemistry but nicely whisper biochemically at them to go away?)
-
BTW, *is* sassafras oil available OTC as a natural remedy in NZ?
Just asking?
-
Here is a case of lead poisoning from a *natural* remedy:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5131a3.htmIt is sometimes asserted that because people (e.g. in tribal societies) have taken traditional remedies over an extended period of time without apparent ill effects then that proves the harmlessness and efficacy of those remedies without the need for trials. The flaw in that argument is that in a society without adequate (bunny rabbit tested) treatment, people will typically often be ill and will die young. This can disguise the health problems caused by (for instance) eating lead.
Having said all that, I agree with the argument that people should be free to make an informed choice to ingest what they like. Possibly untested remedies should simply be required to carry a cigarette style big warning:
THIS PROBABLY DOESN'T WORK.
AND MIGHT POISON YOU.
YOUR CHOICE! -
For more Scots dialect see http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/language/scots/index.htm
Walcome til the Scottish Pairlament wabsite
We want tae mak siccar that as mony folk as can is able tae find oot aboot whit the Scottish Pairlament dis and whit wey it warks. We hae producit information anent the Pairlament in a reenge o different leids tae help ye tae find oot mair. -
So, there's another thing programmers are to blame for
Not so, they will (if doing their job properly) have been told of a business requirement and proceeded accordingly.
Though it should be possible to code to address form letters with Dear <first name> if no salutation is specified. Or to ask customers how they would like to be addressed?
Addessing everyone as "Citizen" or "Comrade" would make things easier.
BTW1: What salutation should one use when mailing an unknown person (e.g. sales@gradgrind.com)? "Dear Sir or Madam" is ineffably pompous. "Hi" is a bit informal, "Dude" even more so, especially for the IRD.
BTW2: Do you think that under John Key, the Nats will modify their mailout rules so as to no longer assume that two people living at the same address are husband and wife?
-
The woman wasn't Indian then?
"Padme" is Sanskrit for "Lotus" as in "Om Mani Padme Hum".
So I guess it might be a reasonable name if you're from that part of the world.
[**REPLY:** She didn't look Indian to me -- but I suppose it's vaguely possible that she was Anglo-Indian. But, frankly, the pairing with 'Anakin' seems pretty conclusive-- DH]
-
Crap. The Government first tried to suppress the program and failed. Then they changed the rules for bidding for licenses and put in a closed system for bids in which the criteria for "wining were obtuse to say the least. Thames didn't stand a chance.
That was the Thatcher governments SOP.
They did a similar thing with Poll Tax. They made up an immensely complicated formula for grant aid to councils which ended up with:
- marginal Tory councils = lots of grant, no tax
- safe Tory/Labour/Liberal councils = some grant, medium tax
- marginal Labour = no grant, huge tax -
If you look at the prosecution guidelines I can see at least two reasons why this should not be taken to court:
- the judge will most likely discharge without conviction, so there isn't a reasonable chance of a conviction.
- Haden is trying to be a martyr (sole reason to commit the offence)Against this there is the possibility that failing to prosecute for non-compliance with census collection would result in large scale refusal.
I actually think this is made less likely if the prosecution had been spiked at the first possible moment.
-
we referred to census figures on religious affiliation in yesterday's discussion - I hardly think it would be appropriate to keep a register on that, although you'd suspect someone in Europe would try
How about a poll tax on church membership? Something like $1000 per member, the proceeds to be used to fund the promotion of rational thought. That would enable accurate membership figures to be obtained.