Archive for the ‘politics’ Category

Democracy in Socratic Disrepute?

December 15, 2009
House of Commons of the United KingdomImage via Wikipedia

During his 10 years on the advisory council he said he found talking with politicians very difficult and that fewer people were now voting in elections because the House of Commons is nothing more than a “pantomime”. He said: “I never realised how unintellectual politicians are.” – Professor Nutt, presentation to Students for Sensible Drug Policy at Leeds University, Nov. 2009.

Cover, Pantomime F. Warne & Co.Image via Wikipedia

Over the past ten or so years, the MildGreens have been consistent in making the call that no other social contruct so readily subject to ‘change’ depleted good governance. It should not be surprising that the evidence for such conclusions should continue to manifest in the international arena. One cannot study post war politics without having a full understanding of how drug policy has (mis)shaped our world. /Blair

Related articles by Zemanta

Prison debate?

July 17, 2009

MolochImage via Wikipedia

To: Editorial/ RadioNews mailto:ninetonoon@radionz.co.nz

Lets all avoid discussing the engine that drives the unintended consequences, dysfunction and misplaced expenditure…. fatally flawed drug policy!

Until we confront that Moloch everything else will just confuse us.

(Despite Stephen Franks having written intelligently on this subject – his political/professional career and aspirations require him and Hon Simon Power, the Minister of Justice to pretend only their political views are legitimate and worthy. It would have to be notable that Franks said he was a liberal 30-40 years ago… and the Drug War started when Stephen – Ya sycophantic plonker! Meanwhile, Sensible Sentence’s McVicars arcane views sails close to hate speech. )

Related articles by Zemanta


DeClassifying the Popular ALCP Vote.

June 11, 2009

Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis PartyImage via Wikipedia

Perhaps Tumeke should consider a more expansive acknowledgement of extra-participatory parliamentary election candidates and parties.
(see Tim Selwyn’s Unite’s candidate’s debate on the Tumeke Blog)

The inclusion of the Libertarians as ‘extra-parliamentary’ discounts the fact that Aotearoa Legalise (ALCP) has consistently and influentially polled since 1996 MMP and it has two of those candidates complete some thirteen years of participatory democracy.

Should we be surprised then that New Zealand is the first country in the world to go beyond the primary UN obligations to the founding covenants and override its obligations to the Single Conventions on Narcotics by legally regulating (R18) recreational (use, sale, storage, exchange, labeling, etc.) soft drugs under the aegis and management of the Ministry of Health.

If nothing else, those candidates at the Mt Albert by-election tables ‘because they are more serious’ and thus deserving of media space thus mind share should be asked to explain and be tested against this crucial law and order issue. An issue that has seen honourable men killed on service to a mission impossible and civilians as collateral damage in our driveways, streets and motorways.

Yet “Class D” has escaped media or political attention, despite the first job of the PM’s science adviser to take the P out of cough mixture (loud applause in CHCH town hall when RH J Key mentioned it…) and alcohol, and hoons, get the money – libraries, pools and culture are someone else responsibility. [What ever happened to ‘for the people’.]

600 Cops is a sign of failure, whereas 600 less would be ‘best practice’ measure of social policy success. Purposeful implementation of Class D is the ticket to that success. Mt Albert voters have been deprived of an opportunity to send an important ‘law and order’ signal to RH Key and Co. One that would better inform the alcohol debate.

Blair Anderson ‹(•¿•)›

Social Ecologist ‘at large’
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com/
http://blairformayor.blogspot.com/
http://blair4mayor.com/
http://efsdp.org/

ph (643) 389 4065 cell 027 265 7219

Related articles by Zemanta


On Stupidity, Ignorance, Greed and Love of Power.

June 11, 2009

American political satirist and author P. J. O...Image via Wikipedia

I thoroughly enjoyed the April Centre for Independent Studies 2009 John Bonython lecture by PJ O’Rourke (video online. http://vimeo.com/channels/cis#4435734 )

O’Rourke is well known for his combination of conservative economic views and libertarian views on vice such as sex and drugs.[3]

O’Rourke’s views on Individual Rights is a clue to lifting the dialog on drug policy.
I am keen to see Maxim Institute advance its position and acknowledge ‘free will’ market based policy for its ‘Adam Smith‘ efficiency, efficacy and equitably. (law=fist, reason=hand)

Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we’re looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn’t test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power. P. J. O’Rourke

Drugs have taught an entire generation of American kids the metric system. — P.J. O’Rourke

Blair Anderson ‹(•¿•)›

Social Ecologist ‘at large’
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com/
http://blairformayor.blogspot.com/
http://blair4mayor.com/
http://efsdp.org/

ph (643) 389 4065 cell 027 265 7219


Professor Ronald Inglehart "Changing Mass Attitudes and Democracy".

November 7, 2008

Fullbright Scholar lecture

On 17 November, the University of Canterbury will host a lecture by Fulbright Distinguished US Scholar Professor Ronald Inglehart, Director of the World Values Survey which measures political and socio-cultural change in societies around the world. [ Monday 17 November, 11am — Commerce 013 ]

The World Values Survey has charted increasing happiness in most countries over the past two decades and this year ranked New Zealand 15th of 52 countries surveyed, one place ahead of the United States.

The topic of his free public lecture at UC will be: “Changing Mass Attitudes and Democracy“. He will discuss how the basic values of publics around the world are changing in ways that lead them to give increasingly high priority to individual autonomy and free choice.

Combined with increasing levels of education these changes have given rise to increasingly widespread and effective demands for changes to democracy from authoritarian rule.

(Might be relative and inspiring to those politicians responsible for resolving the tensions in the war on drugs, and media on reporting it./Blair)

Related articles by Zemanta

Drug classification beset by confusion [UK]

November 1, 2007

[ 01/11/2007- The Guardian ] In looking at the reclassification of cannabis in 2004 you claim “Ministers are coy about the success of their policy” in reducing use (Leaders, October 29). Let us be careful about spurious associations. In fact, cannabis use among school children was broadly stable according to a 2001-03 English school survey and has since declined. For adults, according to the British Crime Survey, cannabis use peaked in 2002-03 and has subsequently declined. The classification of a drug has little bearing on its prevalence, as the figures demonstrate.

There is no evidence here or internationally that the particular classification of a controlled drug acts as a deterrent to use.

Economic, social and cultural factors, along with availability, are the stronger influences. (the decline commenced prior to the Class B -> C UK reclassification, but may be in part a response to London Met. Det Chief Super, Eddie Ellison’s ‘Policing management’ call to deal with cannabis by ‘means other than arrest’ /Blair )

There is a general confusion surrounding the purpose and function of the classification system. In the UK it currently provides a steer to national and local policing priorities , prosecution and sentencing practice. (same as in NZ)

Given the recent history of the debate about cannabis, we consider that a review of the entire basis of the classification system and the process for making decisions on drug classifications is overdue. We have made this point in our recent submission to the government consultation about its revised drug strategy. In particular, the opportunity should be taken to review the role of politicians in making decisions about the classification of controlled drugs – for example, to explore whether there are models that place decision-making outside of ministerial influence , as has happened with national statistics, the new Independent Safeguarding Authority and interest rates.

Roger Howard Chief executive, UK Drug Policy Commission

I think this explains why the [dis] Hon “drug Czar” Jim Anderton (and his simpering pathetic staff who cant resist embellishing a simple request for a meeting into a ‘terrorising threat’ ) chooses to ignore evidence based drug policy.

Blair Anderson ‹(•¿•)›

Social Ecologist ‘at large’
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com
http://blairformayor.blogspot.com
http://blair4mayor.com

ph (643) 389 4065 cell 027 265 7219

Police Draw Weapons on 14yr old Boy on way to party.

October 28, 2007

Police draw weapons on man in fancy dress
TV3 News – Auckland,New Zealand
Neighbour Blair Anderson, who had just returned from an anti-terror rally says he saw the incident unfolding and approached to find out how old the boy was.
See all stories on this topic

There was of course, a little more to this story… firstly, there was no fancy dress, it was a track suit.

Here’s how I described it elsewhere.

Just thought you might like to know that the ‘militarised’ Police did another “Glock” point and ask later to an under 18yr old. The offficer had this man in his sights – aimed at the centre of his chest. It happened right outside my house [50 Wainoni Road,CHCH] just after 7:30pm, 26thOct]. The young man was terror’ified.

The Police refused to allow an adult observer/advocate (it is a youth right) while the lad detained. I was under duress of arrest for asking his age. [I had volunteered after first determining the lad was under 18yrs.]

The senior Officer’s response was haughty and dismissive.

He inferred I was drunk. I was not. I had just opened and sipped from a small bottle of beer and then this happened outside my living room.

Had, in the very intense moments where the ‘occupation force attired’ officer was in ‘battle cry’ – fired and missed… it would have penetrated the bedroom of my friend Alister, at bed height. (four metres from the ‘offender’ and six from the Glock) This could have so easily become another Stanmore Road.

In this case Guns were presented within seconds of arrival at the scene, and while a Police Dog was present.

We should be lucky this young man was very passive. He was under extreme duress, he could have just as easily been irrational. It is understood that he had a toy ‘cap’ gun. He had not presented at anyone. He had been talking with a member of the public (actually Alister’s tenant) moments before asking for some directions. They were as surprised as anyone, as he was non-threatening.

I am reliably informed however, that the ‘complainant’ was an off-duty police officer who had been following this young man for sometime. There was nothing observable that would leave anyone with the impression this young man was anything but a teen… and despite the black and white track suit (unhooded) all I saw was a chubby faced bedazzled kid who would be more at home in front of a playstation.

Further, separate to and prior to this, the Police have been targeting protest organisers in recent days. Three persons peripherally associated with either Happy Valley or Demozone (Otautahi Social Center & Food Not Bombs) have been busted for minor amounts of cannabis. These are [now] highly suspicious busts, one following personal phone calls to organise ‘to pick up the gear’ [for sound reinforcement] for Saturday’s ‘global day of action’ minutes later… the Drug Squad arrive.

You know my field of advocacy and expertise.. this is seeding gross dissent amongst youth in the community. Very unhealthy Policing and even unhealthier mental health outcomes for those present. (recall, ‘don’t put a label on me!’)

Lest we forget, Terrorism and Drugs Issue are one and the same. You might recall the Woman [who lauded along with David Lange on Scoop], was also a British Cabinet Minister (and Drug Czar) who brokered the Irish [domestic terrorism] Peace Accord. She died November 2005. Her name was Mo Molam. Google her name and the word ‘terrorism’ and ‘drugs’ – [social implications of ‘terror laws’] We should be gravely concerned.

If you’re still curious, substitute the same search with ‘ Ray Kendall ‘ the General Secretary of Interpol. Or for even more informed insight on high level advocacy with a global perspective “Senlis Council” about covers it all.

There is a conversation we are not having… (in CHCH and elsewhere) Time to Talk this Mo’vember?Just be aware and be careful..

Blair Anderson ‹(•¿•)›

Social Ecologist ‘at large’
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com
http://blairformayor.blogspot.com
http://blair4mayor.com

ph (643) 389 4065 cell 027 265 7219

Drugs strategy debate ‘is a sham’

October 21, 2007

“‘Prohibition’s failure is now widely understood and acknowledged among key stakeholders in the debate… the political benefits of pursuing prohibition are now waning and the political costs of its continuation are becoming unsustainable.”

other highlights that have high relevence to the current New Zealand drug policy ‘situation’ / Blair

current policy is fuelling a crime epidemic.

drug prohibition has allowed organised crime to control the market and criminalised millions of users, putting a huge strain on the justice system.

half of all property crime is linked to fundraising to buy illegal drugs.

police claim that drug markets are the main driver of the UK’s burgeoning gun culture.

Home Office survey, commissioned in 2000, which showed the social and economic costs … were costs to the victims of drug-related crime.

the consultation process has been a sham designed to stifle debate on drugs policy

Drugs strategy debate ‘is a sham’ Special reports Guardian Unlimited:

BLPs, FLPs, and the Biology of Democracy

August 7, 2007

Anyone who has used marijuana medically knows that it is effective medicine. As a scientist, I can assure you that there are numerous peer-reviewed articles that support what patient’s claim. However, what I want to talk about today is that marijuana not only promotes the health of individuals, but of our democracy and possibly mankind. Fundamental physical laws of the universe are responsible for all creative forms, from galaxies to humanity. Even man’s economic, political and social systems have evolved by a common underlying process. Intrinsically, the yin and yang of ongoing creation may be found in; capitalism vs. socialism, conservatives vs. liberals, democracies vs. fascism. In all manifestations of life, a tension between opposites is the functional reality.

All levels of life must maintain balance between the nourishment extracted from the environment and the waste returned to the environment in order to create and maintain health. The production of free radicals is a common denominator that signals an imbalance between a life form and its sustaining environment. Free radicals are highly reactive and modify the chemistry of life. They are believed to be responsible for aging and age-related illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, auto-immune disorders, cognitive dysfunction, and cancers. Marijuana-like compounds, known as endocannabinoids, are produced by all humans and are central players in life’s biochemical balancing act, known as homeostasis.

Using this platform, we can speculate on the biology of democracy and the role played by endocannabinoids and marijuana. Mankind is engaged in an evolutionary genetic battle between more primative cannabinoid deficient people who are backward looking people, BLPs, and evolutionarily more advanced cannabinoid endowed people. who are forward looking people, FLPs. BLPs appear to be found in a high concentration in the United States government, whereas FLPs are excluded from our government, both naturally and by law. I propose that BLPs are deficient in endocannabinoids in the areas of the brain that allows for change, Bush being a prime example. BLPs look backwards and therefore tend to agree with each other. Through this consensus BLPs gain power. In contrast, FLPs look to the future with optimism because they are wired to embrace change. They have no unity of thought, other than cooperative acceptance of diverse opinions. They therefore historically tend not to gain power.

Mankind’s survival may depend on FLPs taking control before environmental change causes the extinction of Homo sapiens. In this rapidly changing world, we need to be responsive as new information becomes available. Mankind cannot make the evolutionary shift quick enough. Therefore, we need to increase the cannabinoid activity of the population by external means. More wisely motivated cannabis consumption may be necessary to save the species.

There are additional benefits that may occur if this path develops. One hundred years ago people in the US were predominantly dying from infectious diseases. Since cannabinoids reduce the inflammatory arm of the immune system, relatively lower levels could have been beneficial. However, today the main causes of death in the United States and many other so called advanced countries are age related illnesses. In animal models of diseases, the onset and severity of illnesses such as diabetes, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, arteriosclerosis, etc, are helped by cannabinoids.

Leaders who are BLPs cannot lead. Think of the insanity. BLPs have outlawed the use of an anti-aging plant. They incarcerate good human beings for defying stupidity. FLPs have a fundamental moral obligation to participate in, and improve our society. We need a revolution of consciousness that will manifest itself in a new world. We must embrace positive change in all aspects of our lives especially in the voting booths. We must demand that political candidates address marijuana prohibition. We must all work together to bring about the necessary changes that will end the current insanity that characterizes our relationship with mother earth.

Dr. Robert Melamede, Associate Professor and Biology Chairman (ret)
Biology Department, University of Colorado
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
http://www.uccs.edu/~rmelamed/

(commentary on this subject is also featuring on the Canterbury Issues Forum here)

‹(•¿•)› “Mayor Blair” Anderson
http://blairformayor.blogspot.com/
ph (643) 389 4065 cell 027 265 7219