Posts by Rob Stowell
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Hard News: The next four years,
I miss this space. So many options out there, but nothing quite like what public address was.
(Are we allowed to be nostalgic yet?! :) ) -
Hard News: "OK Boomer" wins Public…, in reply to Bruce Thorpe,
It is not about age or generational culture. It is about greed and capitalism.
It's tough to have yr generation (well, mine anyway) tied to a meme about greed and capitalism.
Sadly, we've earned it.
I'm assuming most of us here didn't vote for any of the political bs (let's blame the 'great generation!' - anything to avoid the b-b-b- blame!) Many worked against it.
But we failed. -
Hard News: A fun but flawed weed documentary, in reply to Craig Young,
this piece that featured on Spinoff and TVNZ about psychiatrists opposed to liberalisation of cannabis laws.
You have to read it carefully to realise at no point do the psychiatrists oppose liberalisation or recommend a ‘no’ vote. (I read it a while back, and the headline and carefully worded quotes match up – but not the ‘takeaway’ that liberalisation of the law or legalisation is a ‘bad thing’.)
All they are saying is we need to be aware of the possible harms, and a reality-based discussion and sensible education are desirable. IMO we’re far more likely to get those things after legalisation – and reading this piece carefully you sense maybe that’s something the ‘experts’ tend to feel too.
But it’s still used by opponents to paint a dark picture of pot-smoking hordes, widespread psychosis and social disintegration. -
Hard News: Synthetics: We need to stop…,
Great piece. Really gets my goat this use of the word cannabis. It really does matter.
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Speaker: Drug History: What happened…,
Great slice of (sad, bad, mad) local history - thanks "Rex" and Russell :)
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Hard News: Cabinet and the Reeferendum,
Driving down Ferry Rd was surprised by a giant family fist “saynopetodope” billboard ad: Cannabis has a Children’s Menu replete with pics of candy esp gummy bears. It seemed fundamentally dishonest – noone on the pro side supports selling dope to kids, or anything like that. Even where gummy bears have been sold (colerado?) they have not been sold to kids. Don’t suppose there’s anything one can do about it. I guess to avoid graffitti, it was really high … :)
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Hard News: Cannabis reform is a serious…,
The problem with the state option is that it forces us to trust bureaucrats to get it right. Since when has that ever worked??
Only the health system, the education system, most of government and almost any big institution. Its dead simple to slag "government bureaucrats". But maybe too simple?
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Hard News: Another year on earth,
Thanks Russell – for everything. It’s been a journey – and journeys always go best in good company, and the company here has always been good :)
eta: heart goes out to Jackie. The bigger we love - the aunties has always been about love (and the k word) - the more we grieve. Hoping there is some peace too. -
Hard News: WOTY: The Kindness Scandal,
can't get enough of that kindness :) very worthy winner - any year and every year!
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Hard News: Public Address Word of the…,
Probably hung over from last year but the "witch hunt" or "WITCH HUNT!!!" is still on.