Posts by Rich of Observationz

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  • OnPoint: Leviathan, in reply to BenWilson,

    The cellular structure is very difficult to penetrate

    Especially when the cell consists of one person and their inner voices.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • OnPoint: Leviathan, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    I think what they're on about is that back in the day, if they wanted to tap someone's phone they'd get a warrant, go along to the telephone exchange and plug some wires in.
    Now they're arguing that its too hard to go to each internet company with a warrant to read email, and it's easier to just store everyone's communications in a big database in the US and read what they need.
    (Bear in mind here that the GCSB has 300 staff to process only 53 warrants - so they claim).

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Hard News: Rugby has a problem,

    I guess if rugby's boring here, it must be even more dull in all the other countries who can never beat us.
    The main thing that keeps it going in England is that it's the sport of choice for posh people who wouldn't descend to attending a soccer game. Even there, with season ticket prices in the $5k range the chances of a prole-free stadium are on the rise.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • OnPoint: Leviathan, in reply to Chris Waugh,

    Attachment

    I wonder if that's G T Dick of 34 Miro St, Masterton.

    Maybe someone could put a webcam in that nice tree outside, or have a quick squiz on their mate's friend's work database?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Hard News: Talking to the United Nations…, in reply to Russell Brown,

    the manufacture and supply of illicit drugs is by definition a crime

    If you were a traditional Muslim, you could say the same of the manufacture of alcoholic drinks, or bacon. But Saudi Arabia and Iran don’t get to dictate our laws on that, in fact, aren’t we sending the army to shoot a few people in the head to make just that point?

    Manufacturing and supplying cannabis isn't criminal in one country and four US states. Why should other countries (and similarly, the US federal government) impose their will on those places, any more than muslim countries get to impose their alcohol laws elsewhere?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Hard News: Talking to the United Nations…, in reply to Ian Dalziel,

    There’s no UN convention on what rules countries apply to booze, or pr0n, or firecrackers, or non-military firearms.

    (There are various conventions that ensure that for instance your box of fireworks has the appropriate warning labels, but NZ doesn’t try and force the Japanese to ban tentacle hentai, and conversely Japan doesn’t require us to pixellate genitalia).

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Hard News: Talking to the United Nations…,

    Why is drug policy a matter for the UN?

    Even if you disregard the idea that it's for individuals to decide what they can put in their bodies, then surely it's for countries or communities to decide for themselves what drugs they want to ban, if any?

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Legal Beagle: The Northland by-election;…,

    Fancy a few new bridges in your area? Elect a crim as an MP, and after their downfall, the government will hand out the bribes at the resulting by-election.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Hard News: To defame and deflect,

    the coup was directed by a military Admiral

    Commodore. I think he promoted himself after the coup, Amin-style.

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Hard News: Masters of Reality,

    This was in the paper today:

    ...the average price New Zealanders paid for a hotel or motel room booked through its website jumped $7 to $146 last year.

    The 5 per cent rise means prices rose at more than six times the rate of inflation, which stood at 0.8 per cent last year.

    The average price paid when visitors from overseas were included in the mix rose 7 per cent to $163, the company said.

    That suggests prices at more expensive hotels that are more likely to be frequented by foreign visitors rose the fastest.

    So the hotel industry seems to be able to maintain occupancy and increase room rates. Why, in that case, do they need government pork in the form of convention centres and the like? (Which also increases costs for non-tourist businesses who need staff to travel, as well as individuals taking holidays).

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

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