Posts by Rob Stowell
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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.
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Governors: Kobach and Scott Walker out are great results. Some good new talent. But still a bit flummoxed and sad about a few races. Gillum losing to De Santis in FL especially – and DeWine winning in Ohio. With those republican governors, ending the gerrymandering in key states isn’t going to be easy.
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Ouch. This is painful already! McGrath loses KY-6. And early optimism fading fast in FL :(
USA still deeply divided. Trump will tear us apart - again. -
Hard News: Lost Men, in reply to nzlemming,
It’s always been this way in NZ. Mental illness was something that you hid away, in asylums or in cottages out the back of the farm. The whole “man alone” bullshit was about striving and winning against the environment, other people, the Wellington rulemakers etc. Nothing’s changed except that we closed the asylums and put people on the street where they can be seen.
Truth in that - but still, things have changed. I grew up with a strong sense of a govt 'safety net' - and no sense that only winners mattered and failure was a crushing personal responsibility. I don't think today's teenagers feel the same way.