Not being a stoner, or recreational user myself, this story just disturbs me from average joe citizen perspective.............there is something in me, and maybe its being ignorant and willfully so, that wants to believe that these kinds of things don't happen, to good people, or to anyone ................but I know that's not true.
Lately in the news, time and time again there seems to be a bullishness in attitudes of the government, of ministers representing us, to just like they please.
Keys on Pike River, Dot Com, the back room deals re the film industry, the closing of schools in ChCh and yet proping up Whanganui Collegiate................the flirtation of Enzed with american ways and styles, and Banks the prize dork, still being there in power after what he so blatently did.................I guess what I maybe have been keeping myself from feeling is that old word powerless.
Stories like this about Stephen break thru some veneer, be it personal or some sort of national delusion or denial, that we are just as powerless as some of the places we look at feel glad we are not there. I want to fight this kind of arrogance, this abuse of power, that leaves the world with one less good person it really needed.

I really enjoyed media3 last night (sunday) however I saw something alarming.
There were two panel people ( not panel beaters ) discussing the election in USA. One obviously a gentle and thinking democrat………….and a guy called Carl…….both americans…………..there was good banter but Carl really dissapointed me by among some good stuff…………saying stuff that americans say, like what can we know ( read anyone outside america) about american politics……………and yeah Obama may be an empty suit………….but what are the other suits full of……….living in NZ now with his may I say ugly bipartisan views………..maybe he has seen what the suits may just be full of……….out on the farm somewhere. It concerns me that americans come here with such attitudes and spout them on air………………..emperors new clothes…………….we smile and say nothing……….Carl, leave the silly stuff back where it seems happy………………

I really enjoyed media3 last night (sunday) however I saw something alarming.
There were two panel people ( not panel beaters ) discussing the election in USA. One obviously a gentle and thinking democrat.............and a guy called Carl.......both americans..............there was good banter but Carl really dissapointed me by among some good stuff............saying stuff that americans say, like what can we know ( read anyone outside america) about american politics...............and yeah Obama may be an empty suit.............but what are the other suits full of..........living in NZ now with his may I say ugly bipartisan views...........maybe he has seen what the suits may just be full of..........out on the farm somewhere. It concerns me that americans come here with such attitudes and spout them on air....................emperors new clothes................we smile and say nothing..........Carl, leave the silly stuff back where it seems happy..................