“Connecting Citizens Who Care“. Every Monday at 4 pm on Manawatu Peoples Radio 999AM” Join Peter’s blog http://wheelerscornernz.blogspot.com/
31 29th July 2018
Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux. |
1
. Well first they were coming, then they were not, but now it would
seem they are coming.
Who are these visitors, well they are two strange Canadians, a male and a female. Presently they are stirring up trouble in Australia, causing riots of sorts and incurring large bills for various communities, so much so that they are being presented with massive bills [60.000 Australian dollars] for the cost of their protection thus far.
Who are these visitors, well they are two strange Canadians, a male and a female. Presently they are stirring up trouble in Australia, causing riots of sorts and incurring large bills for various communities, so much so that they are being presented with massive bills [60.000 Australian dollars] for the cost of their protection thus far.
Will we here in New Zealand be forced to spend the same massive
amounts of money to accommodate their publicity stunts here. For publicity stunt artists is what they are! The
question really is ‘What is so attractive here in NZ for these two odd
persons? I would suggest the big factor is money…or fame or infamy depending on your view, being a celebrity these days is a big deal.
And it would seem to me, after reading the reference below that the
obvious link between these two strange beings and their present
activities is financial gain. I think they and their friends in the
so-call ‘Free Speech club’ led by Don Brash and his Act Party
failure team are privatising the free speech arena.
It would be interesting for some real investigative journalism to
take place so as to find out just who is paying the bills… travel
and accommodation and such like. Their backers must have profit in
mind or is it nothing more than a publicity stunt to create a tax
free profit for the agents working on behalf of god knows who? Are
they asking 70 to eighty dollars per attendee just so we can view a
new ‘T’ shirt worn by wee Lauren Southern with the words ‘I’m
proud of being white’ or maybe Stefan Molyneux wearing a black ‘T’
shirt with the words ‘Black means a lower IQ’ printed in white
capitals.
Well we will just have to wait to find out, the venue at which they
will be speaking at this point is a secret, but it will have to be
some place that is allowed to charge an entry fee, a place that can
can be protected by the police along with some private security
company being available to protect the individuals involved.
I’m told that the promoters will be selling tickets without
informing the buyers to the event [if one can call it that] of the
actual location...this naturally would lead to a very selective group
of attendee’s. Firstly money or wealth could be a key factor, secondly transportation could become a key factor. Still we've never seen Don Brash and his crowd ever make it easy to attend their so-called public meetings or debates.
Here in Palmerston North they never held one public meeting where the issue of Maori Wards could be discussed, instead they [He] attempted to disrupt the supporters of Maori Wards organised supporters meetings.
What will those opposed to the strange concepts being pushed by a couple of globe trotting Canadians organize in opposition to the racist and bigoted message being pumped out by their financial backers? No doubt planning is taking place to organise a suitable reception for these weird individuals.
2. Blog of the week: This blog is very timely, the NZ produced film about Helen Kelly is about to be released. The blog author is the former editor of NORML News, Chris Fowlie is president of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, manager of The Hempstore, and court-recognised expert witness for serious cannabis charges.
Here is what he wrote:
"With three bills before Parliament this year, and patients continuing to suffer, it’s clear we need cross-party support for enduring sensible solutions.
Changes to the Government’s medicinal cannabis bill don’t go far enough for most patients.
The National Party’s proposed new bill could mean only expensive pharmaceutical-style products are available.
The Green Party’s bill was defeated earlier this year.
Parliament should work together and put the needs of patients first. Both bills now on offer are better than the status quo, but neither deliver what patients really want.
In the red black and green corner, the Government bill creates an exemption for terminally ill people to obtain and use cannabis, removes cannabidiol (CBD) from the Misuse of Drugs Act, and allows new standards for cultivating, manufacturing and distributing medicinal cannabis products.
Amendments to the bill announced today include:
There are merits to National’s proposed scheme, but regulating medicinal cannabis like pharmaceuticals could keep products unaffordable – forcing patients to continue turning to the black market.
As well as pharmaceutical products, we need cheaper, food-grade cannabis products to be available here, as they are in other countries.
And while National’s proposals could allow local producers to overtake Australia by bringing products immediately to market, their restrictions could also hobble our budding industry before it’s even begun.
It’s also important to remember that as a private member’s bill it might never be drawn, whereas the Government bill will pass. That’s a certainty.
There will also be a referendum soon that we can confidently expect will make cannabis legal for all adults.
Parliament now has an opportunity to improve the Bill, and it’s great to see National apparently calling for the same thing.
The Government could even adopt the best aspects of what National is calling for as a Supplementary Order Paper, and put it before the House with their bill.
Both bills have good aspects. Parliament should work together to do what is best for patients.
2. Blog of the week: This blog is very timely, the NZ produced film about Helen Kelly is about to be released. The blog author is the former editor of NORML News, Chris Fowlie is president of the National Organisation for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, manager of The Hempstore, and court-recognised expert witness for serious cannabis charges.
Here is what he wrote:
"With three bills before Parliament this year, and patients continuing to suffer, it’s clear we need cross-party support for enduring sensible solutions.
Changes to the Government’s medicinal cannabis bill don’t go far enough for most patients.
The National Party’s proposed new bill could mean only expensive pharmaceutical-style products are available.
The Green Party’s bill was defeated earlier this year.
Parliament should work together and put the needs of patients first. Both bills now on offer are better than the status quo, but neither deliver what patients really want.
In the red black and green corner, the Government bill creates an exemption for terminally ill people to obtain and use cannabis, removes cannabidiol (CBD) from the Misuse of Drugs Act, and allows new standards for cultivating, manufacturing and distributing medicinal cannabis products.
Amendments to the bill announced today include:
- Allowing licences for commercial production, first proposed by NORML and PharmaCann
- Permitting limited promotion of cannabis-based medicines, such as providing information to health practitioners
- Removing CBD and all non-psychoactive cannabinoids from the Misuse of Drugs Act, potentially lowering costs for patients and increasing the range of available products
- Repealing the defence for terminal patients after 5 years
Although
the report says 99 percent of submitters supported the intent of the
bill, it was also widely criticised for doing too little, and for taking
too long.
Submissions
were overwhelmingly in favour of allowing medicinal cannabis use for
chronic pain and other conditions, allowing patients or caregivers to
grow their own, and for products to be more affordable and widely
available.
In the blue corner we have the National bill, also announced today, which would create a different medicinal cannabis scheme.
- Doctor-issued Patient ID cards would be used at pharmacies to obtain cannabis-based medicines
- No “loose leaf”: medical cannabis products would be restricted to “liquids and pills” and regulated like pharmaceuticals by Medsafe
- Products would be given a five-year window to perform clinical trials and other tests needed to gain consent as medicines
- There would be no provision for compassionate access, or any exemptions for terminal patients
- National would prohibits any advertising, ban anyone with a criminal record from working in the industry, and prevent producers from being within 5km of a residential area or 1km of sensitive sites such as schools and wahi tapu
National’s new-found support for medicinal cannabis mirrors the surging support shown in recent opinion polls.
The latest poll,
released this week by the New Zealand Drug Foundation, found 87 per
cent support for allowing medicinal cannabis for chronic pain relief.
The poll confirmed a significant upward trend for public support of cannabis law reform.
The National Party’s bill marks an incredible shift from just a year
ago, and shows how the strong public support is getting through.There are merits to National’s proposed scheme, but regulating medicinal cannabis like pharmaceuticals could keep products unaffordable – forcing patients to continue turning to the black market.
As well as pharmaceutical products, we need cheaper, food-grade cannabis products to be available here, as they are in other countries.
And while National’s proposals could allow local producers to overtake Australia by bringing products immediately to market, their restrictions could also hobble our budding industry before it’s even begun.
It’s also important to remember that as a private member’s bill it might never be drawn, whereas the Government bill will pass. That’s a certainty.
There will also be a referendum soon that we can confidently expect will make cannabis legal for all adults.
Parliament now has an opportunity to improve the Bill, and it’s great to see National apparently calling for the same thing.
The Government could even adopt the best aspects of what National is calling for as a Supplementary Order Paper, and put it before the House with their bill.
Both bills have good aspects. Parliament should work together to do what is best for patients.
- Patients will be holding a rally supporting sensible solutions. NORML and Auckland Patients Group present “Pots for Patients”, 2pm on Saturday 4th August. Queen Street, opposite Aotea Square.
3. A group has been formed to oppose a possible EXPO arms sale here in Palmerston North. It's name is 'Peace Action Manawatu' they are setting in train a series of events to highlight this unwanted and climate damaging event.
If you would like to assist in anyway please contact me and I'll let you know about future possible activities and how you can help. I believe that we can not allow overseas arms makers and their cooperate backers to use locally owned public facilities for the purpose of selling military weapons here in our fair city. The security costs and social environmental costs are simply to high for us. We can put the money to much better use, one that protects life rather than destroys it. Peace rather than war is my view and I'm sure that's the majority view in NZ.
Their products which are hugely destructive and massively expensive are simply too higher price to pay. If you agree please contact me and I will put you in the loop.
One last word: from Truthout:
"The fight for press freedom is intensifying. Setting a dangerous precedent, just yesterday a reporter representing five major news outlets was blocked from attending an open press event because the White House didn't like the questions she was asking".
Well that's it for this week, it was nice to see the sun, I hope you are well and keeping warm, and never forget you are among the most important people in the world.
Peter
J Wheeler
http://wheeler@inspire.net.nz