I guess I am happy to say that I am not alone in thinking that the price paid to farmers this year by Fonterra cannot keep rising.
Just like Corporate Executives, cannot keep demanding higher and higher salaries.
Hard to say I am a fan, of former French President Nicholas Sarkozy, but he also states that GDP (gross domestic product) is not an accurate measure of economic success. He commissioned a report and found that other principles should be factored in when measuring economic success such as sustainability and the environment. He is correct. What is the value of great material wealth but no air or water quality?
Buying and spending are not everyone's idea of achievement. The latest round of asset sales is like a very exclusive game. Commoners like me simply don't play.
But I am in business and I do want to make a profit. However perhaps where I may differ is I want my business to be sustainable, I don't want to have a negative impact on the environment nor do I want to sell a product i don't believe in. I only want to be responsible for creating good will. I want my business to last for generations. I want to learn a lesson from Asia and build a business that last for generations and provides for my family. A lofty goal but not if careful lessons are followed.
What really annoys me the most is that there seems to be a culture of greed as an acceptable norm. I am far from religious but I was told greed is one of the seven deadly sins. I would go further than calling it just greed. The horrible sense of entitlement some business or corporate people display shows clearly how weak they are in real values. Wealth or money doesn't make you a bad person and I like luxury good as much as the next person. Where I may differ is when I do buy a luxury good or anything I try to look after it. I guess when I buy something I create antiques cos I keep my stuff a long long time.
Endless acquisition is dull. Having money and buying stuff is boring. If you like watching the Kardashians and think that that is a worthy lifestyle to aspire to I say good on you . I also say, so far they experience equal heartbreak, drug addiction, marriage break up and divorces if not more and their children cry and poop just like ours.
Money is, as the BNZ advertisement says, neither good nor bad. Lacking a moral compass in business may mean you do get very rich. But the legacy you leave behind should not be at the expense of underpaid or even ill or injured staff. The result should not be a damaged environment that you are responsible for but not held accountable.
I feel we have had one too many Cave Creek incidents and Pike River should NOT have happened. The buck stops here and being responsible is one of the first challenges society needs to demand and I think this current Government needs to address.
In the meantime ... lets just get organised for next election and vote this morally bankrupt lot out.
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
Sunday, 20 October 2013
I know a lot more about abortion than any man!
I find it repulsive when Ken Orr is maintaining his crusade against abortion despite never having had one and to the best of my knowledge not fostering a dozen or so unwanted and neglected children. Perhaps if he actually spoke kindly with knowledge about the poverty children experience when they are not wanted I would have some respect for him. But these unwanted children grow up in dysfunctional families in over crowded homes.
Ask any social worker from CYfs what they think of abortion and I am pretty sure none of them see abortion as child abuse.
Professor David Fergusson concedes that 98% of abortions are authorised on the grounds of mental health, but that they do not improve the mental health of the women. Really ? Do you think spending the next 20 years raising an unloved and unwanted child is going to be the solution? Perhaps it is the reason for the confusion is that a women should not have to have a"mental health problem" in order to receive an abortion. Perhaps this male centred view is the real problem.
I speak on abortion with some authority as I have had the experience. I was 17 or 18 and despite having two trips to the doctor it was at 13 weeks after a false diagnosis of cysts on my ovaries. I had a week to make up my mind. I was single and not planning on becoming a single mom. I know for a fact that I would not have lead the life I had and married or travelled if I had not been able to access a termination. It was 1984 and I clearly remember being fully under an anaesthetic and after wards watching the 1984 olympic games in LA.
In 1986 I meet my husband and married and then travelled to the USA. There was no way I would have had this experience as a young single mum. In fact I am willing to bet that what causes the most problems for mental health is single parenting. Nothing grinds a person down as much as working 24/7 for no reward. Children or babies seldom say, thanks Mum I loved the bottle you woke up at 3 am to give me.
It's sexist of me to say this but seriously men need to stick to the stuff the know and be supportive of women's choices. It is still very much a mans world. If you disagree just imagine if it was our female mayor having the affair. The name trollop, slapper, loose women , whore, tramp etc . A man is just being a man.
we not in my world.
As the mother of three beautiful daughters and one grandson. I also hope all their children are wanted ones. But should accidents happen , and they do. I would like to think that choice to continue the pregnancy or not was hers alone. That is what a loving and caring society looks like, not one that casts doubt on a woman for her sexuality or choices.And don't get me started on RAPE!
Ask any social worker from CYfs what they think of abortion and I am pretty sure none of them see abortion as child abuse.
Professor David Fergusson concedes that 98% of abortions are authorised on the grounds of mental health, but that they do not improve the mental health of the women. Really ? Do you think spending the next 20 years raising an unloved and unwanted child is going to be the solution? Perhaps it is the reason for the confusion is that a women should not have to have a"mental health problem" in order to receive an abortion. Perhaps this male centred view is the real problem.
I speak on abortion with some authority as I have had the experience. I was 17 or 18 and despite having two trips to the doctor it was at 13 weeks after a false diagnosis of cysts on my ovaries. I had a week to make up my mind. I was single and not planning on becoming a single mom. I know for a fact that I would not have lead the life I had and married or travelled if I had not been able to access a termination. It was 1984 and I clearly remember being fully under an anaesthetic and after wards watching the 1984 olympic games in LA.
In 1986 I meet my husband and married and then travelled to the USA. There was no way I would have had this experience as a young single mum. In fact I am willing to bet that what causes the most problems for mental health is single parenting. Nothing grinds a person down as much as working 24/7 for no reward. Children or babies seldom say, thanks Mum I loved the bottle you woke up at 3 am to give me.
It's sexist of me to say this but seriously men need to stick to the stuff the know and be supportive of women's choices. It is still very much a mans world. If you disagree just imagine if it was our female mayor having the affair. The name trollop, slapper, loose women , whore, tramp etc . A man is just being a man.
we not in my world.
As the mother of three beautiful daughters and one grandson. I also hope all their children are wanted ones. But should accidents happen , and they do. I would like to think that choice to continue the pregnancy or not was hers alone. That is what a loving and caring society looks like, not one that casts doubt on a woman for her sexuality or choices.And don't get me started on RAPE!
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Lying down Len Brown
Hmmm I am pretty annoyed that a man with no moral compass and no boundaries is Mayor of my town. Contrast this slimy lying low life with Lianne Dalziel the new Christchurch mayor. She is squeaky clean and has maintained a dignified stance her whole time in politics. I applaud her. Like Vicki Buck before her. No dramas or stuff ups.
Why do we accept the behaviour of cheaters and liars. Christ if the man is capable of lying to those he loves most, supposedly , his wife and children , what makes you think we will get the truth from Len? Why should a man with an impossibly large ego and no ethics make decisions that affect us. I don't trust him. He is weak and cowardly. He knew this would cost him so he played us all for fools.
Why is there such a disgustingly backward sexist culture in politics today? Helen Clarke did nothing worse than sign a painting in haste and she was treated horribly with gay rumours and being childless, stories portrayed her as cold . That is not who she is. She is smart woman who intimidated lesser minds. She may have had a cold stare or the death glare but inside she was human and was hurt by comments just as Julia Gillard was.
She also was a great strong woman who did nothing really wrong. Apart from her gender which was perceived as a weakness.
By whom? Weak cowardly and back stabbing men.
I think that women use a different measuring system to men. People before profits would be more women's than men's mantra.
How long is a piece of string?
30 cm the women says, 12 inches the man says.
The woman must be wrong the man says.
The same goes for stupid old white men with opinions about periods and abortions. I really don't think you can measure these things scientifically.
Men are the cause of all abortions . Do you think that men will accept that headline?
Why then, should a man write that abortions cause women mental illness.
Perhaps the tools used to measure scientifically are not the same. The peniscope in my opinion gives a far less accurate reading than a vaginascope.
Just like, there are inches and centimetres, so are there different ways to measure things .
I think using the vaginascope the result would be that Len is wrong. However I am quite convinced using a different measuring scale , say the peniscope , the outcome would be different.
Neither of these devices are in common use yet, so it mere speculation but I am stating for the record. It may be time to raise the standard of candidate or introduce I want to change my vote clause!!!
Why do we accept the behaviour of cheaters and liars. Christ if the man is capable of lying to those he loves most, supposedly , his wife and children , what makes you think we will get the truth from Len? Why should a man with an impossibly large ego and no ethics make decisions that affect us. I don't trust him. He is weak and cowardly. He knew this would cost him so he played us all for fools.
Why is there such a disgustingly backward sexist culture in politics today? Helen Clarke did nothing worse than sign a painting in haste and she was treated horribly with gay rumours and being childless, stories portrayed her as cold . That is not who she is. She is smart woman who intimidated lesser minds. She may have had a cold stare or the death glare but inside she was human and was hurt by comments just as Julia Gillard was.
She also was a great strong woman who did nothing really wrong. Apart from her gender which was perceived as a weakness.
By whom? Weak cowardly and back stabbing men.
I think that women use a different measuring system to men. People before profits would be more women's than men's mantra.
How long is a piece of string?
30 cm the women says, 12 inches the man says.
The woman must be wrong the man says.
The same goes for stupid old white men with opinions about periods and abortions. I really don't think you can measure these things scientifically.
Men are the cause of all abortions . Do you think that men will accept that headline?
Why then, should a man write that abortions cause women mental illness.
Perhaps the tools used to measure scientifically are not the same. The peniscope in my opinion gives a far less accurate reading than a vaginascope.
Just like, there are inches and centimetres, so are there different ways to measure things .
I think using the vaginascope the result would be that Len is wrong. However I am quite convinced using a different measuring scale , say the peniscope , the outcome would be different.
Neither of these devices are in common use yet, so it mere speculation but I am stating for the record. It may be time to raise the standard of candidate or introduce I want to change my vote clause!!!
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Why I find the Americas cup so exciting and cannabis law reform so dreary!
I have never been a sailor but I am beginning to wish I was one.
Instead I have spent the last 15 or so years actively supporting and encouraging all forms of cannabis law reform. And being a parent.
I have stood twice as a candidate for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party , once on the West Coast and once in central Christchurch. In the beginning I have to admit I seduced by the fun of doing cannabis law reform. I love cannabis. I love it!!!!
After all I can see the fun in it and no harm. Cannabis law reform isn't hard core like the Anti aparteid marches of the early 1980's and in particular the anti-springbok tour were scary and often resulted in violent clashes.
I have helped with J days, sold raffle tickets and baked cookies to raise money.FUN.
I have travelled from Invercargill to Kaitaia to meet people and raise awareness .
I even trained as a drug and alcohol counsellor(AOD) and worked a couple of years at Odyssey house to try and understand the cannabis issue from every angle.
I have attended cannabis cups and worked inside the Daktory all in the name of the cause, however today I am wavering in my resolve.
I have been part of NORML and in January I went to California to the Norml (National organisation for the reform of Marijuana laws)
I was in San Francisco representing New Zealand.
I was shocked by how far we have fallen behind the rest of the world in law reform. How can we call New Zealand a just and fair society while ignoring the rights and wishes of the people?
In America today there is medical Marijuana easily available for any person who can be bothered to visit a doctor to get the permit to partake in pot. In fact the concern is, can legal marijuana keep it's counter culture roots or will the big corporations take over?
Gee, I wish that was our only concern.
One of the major areas that cannabis is being used very effectively is in PTSD. This is great for America as it is creating huge numbers of PTSD patients every week. Post traumatic stress disorder is also known as shell shock or battle fatigue. Many former Army and military personnell have endured stress beyond normal limits for long periods of time and alcohol and other drugs are always on hand to manage the problem. Unfortunately they create problems of their own with misuse and over use and dependency.
So after the Daktory I started the High Tea Cafe and now run the information and education centre for cannabis in a cafe environment. I have a small counselling case load but also provide space for those people who want to just discuss the effects of cannabis and discrimination. I also have wall space for local artists and hope to develop an artist in residence programme.
But as to the heady type of activism and law reform that makes me excited I have to say I am sadly deflated. Both by the Government and way the focus has been on psychoactive substances and P and the discussion as recommended by the Law Commission has not really taken place.
This Government and those previous have dodged the cannabis issue. I'm tired of waiting.
The Prohibition of Cannabis in New Zealand, to use a boating comparison, is like a bloody great barge in a narrow canal, it seems impossible to turn around.
By comparison the America's cup Yacht is a boat made of dreams, moving faster than wind. So is, the medical and recreational cannabis law reform movts. in America. Not to mention the plethora of associated products and businesses that support the legalisation and safe access to cannabis.
I want to feel the wind in my hair and the splash of sea spray and not to be bogged down by the pathetic excuse that we can't legalise or decriminalise cannabis in New Zealand for recreational or medical use, because of the conventions made in the US. The same country that made these conventions in the 1970's, now ignores them, along with the Netherlands, Portugal parts of Australia and other countries including Uruguay most recently.( I don't believe anyone in Government or in the Ministry of Health, has seriously looked at the evidence for cannabis law reform for decades, because they don't want to rock the electorate vote boat.)
Commitment and money put the New Zealand boat in the water, to compete with the Americans. We need the same commitment and amount of money to get the wind in our sails for cannabis or drug law reform . Sometimes it feels like there is no wind and the cannabis law reform Movt and becalmed the boat which is in the doldrums.
And it is hard.
It is scary challenging the law, public opinion and the police but we are brave and we are strong.it is expensive and it is often lonely.
Some of us are fearless.
I am hoping that like the energy of the sailing and the excitement of the challenge we can inspire a last rush of power to fill the sails for the law reform movt. and together united as a group we can sail to victory with freedom or "safe access to cannabis" as our finish line or goal.
Instead I have spent the last 15 or so years actively supporting and encouraging all forms of cannabis law reform. And being a parent.
I have stood twice as a candidate for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party , once on the West Coast and once in central Christchurch. In the beginning I have to admit I seduced by the fun of doing cannabis law reform. I love cannabis. I love it!!!!
After all I can see the fun in it and no harm. Cannabis law reform isn't hard core like the Anti aparteid marches of the early 1980's and in particular the anti-springbok tour were scary and often resulted in violent clashes.
I have helped with J days, sold raffle tickets and baked cookies to raise money.FUN.
I have travelled from Invercargill to Kaitaia to meet people and raise awareness .
I even trained as a drug and alcohol counsellor(AOD) and worked a couple of years at Odyssey house to try and understand the cannabis issue from every angle.
I have attended cannabis cups and worked inside the Daktory all in the name of the cause, however today I am wavering in my resolve.
I have been part of NORML and in January I went to California to the Norml (National organisation for the reform of Marijuana laws)
I was in San Francisco representing New Zealand.
I was shocked by how far we have fallen behind the rest of the world in law reform. How can we call New Zealand a just and fair society while ignoring the rights and wishes of the people?
In America today there is medical Marijuana easily available for any person who can be bothered to visit a doctor to get the permit to partake in pot. In fact the concern is, can legal marijuana keep it's counter culture roots or will the big corporations take over?
Gee, I wish that was our only concern.
One of the major areas that cannabis is being used very effectively is in PTSD. This is great for America as it is creating huge numbers of PTSD patients every week. Post traumatic stress disorder is also known as shell shock or battle fatigue. Many former Army and military personnell have endured stress beyond normal limits for long periods of time and alcohol and other drugs are always on hand to manage the problem. Unfortunately they create problems of their own with misuse and over use and dependency.
So after the Daktory I started the High Tea Cafe and now run the information and education centre for cannabis in a cafe environment. I have a small counselling case load but also provide space for those people who want to just discuss the effects of cannabis and discrimination. I also have wall space for local artists and hope to develop an artist in residence programme.
But as to the heady type of activism and law reform that makes me excited I have to say I am sadly deflated. Both by the Government and way the focus has been on psychoactive substances and P and the discussion as recommended by the Law Commission has not really taken place.
This Government and those previous have dodged the cannabis issue. I'm tired of waiting.
The Prohibition of Cannabis in New Zealand, to use a boating comparison, is like a bloody great barge in a narrow canal, it seems impossible to turn around.
By comparison the America's cup Yacht is a boat made of dreams, moving faster than wind. So is, the medical and recreational cannabis law reform movts. in America. Not to mention the plethora of associated products and businesses that support the legalisation and safe access to cannabis.
I want to feel the wind in my hair and the splash of sea spray and not to be bogged down by the pathetic excuse that we can't legalise or decriminalise cannabis in New Zealand for recreational or medical use, because of the conventions made in the US. The same country that made these conventions in the 1970's, now ignores them, along with the Netherlands, Portugal parts of Australia and other countries including Uruguay most recently.( I don't believe anyone in Government or in the Ministry of Health, has seriously looked at the evidence for cannabis law reform for decades, because they don't want to rock the electorate vote boat.)
Commitment and money put the New Zealand boat in the water, to compete with the Americans. We need the same commitment and amount of money to get the wind in our sails for cannabis or drug law reform . Sometimes it feels like there is no wind and the cannabis law reform Movt and becalmed the boat which is in the doldrums.
And it is hard.
It is scary challenging the law, public opinion and the police but we are brave and we are strong.it is expensive and it is often lonely.
Some of us are fearless.
I am hoping that like the energy of the sailing and the excitement of the challenge we can inspire a last rush of power to fill the sails for the law reform movt. and together united as a group we can sail to victory with freedom or "safe access to cannabis" as our finish line or goal.
Sunday, 1 September 2013
So what will draw the attention of the GCSB?
I must confess to already accepting that this bill will pass. A pragmatic speech from Russel Norman confirmed this, by saying that this bill will be thrown out under the next Labour /Greens Government. That got me thinking about what would it take to be under surveillance? If you oppose the Government could you be spied on?
What does this mean for the opposition parties in Parliament now?
There have been issues swirling around the Beehive that certain MPs do not like having their private information tampered with yet are willing to allow a LAW that made what was ILLEGAL, now Legal.
It is just wrong.
The level of security breaches, bungles, blow outs and cover ups is beyond a simple conspiracy theory. the game is pretty obvious. Rules are gone. this is a game with no rules. Plus how could you have faith in a Government that routinely fucks up data information NOVOpay was just one example. ACC Breaches and the MSD now wants to do drug testing. I do think they are capable of doing this legally. One thing I would never ever want to be openly sent would be anything to do with my health information after the ACC debarcle to another government department where I only exist as a number.
I am sure no one has noticed how the majority of the National Party MPs have had PR makeovers and no longer even speak regular english. Rather it's a serious , Look John , or Rachel or any other tv journalists name and the first sentence is Look (insert name) I'm not going to talk about that now. (drop vocal tone to Match Margaret thatchers) and continue to stare frostily before saying ,now if you would like to talk about the snapper quota or price of a latte , that's what people are really interested in.
How odd. I am 47 and have never had snapper until moving to Auckland. Snapper is not even caught in the cold south Island waters. we have cod. Red and Blue. One for each political leaning. I am pretty sure the greens would look down on eating fish and who would want to eat a green fish anyway? Maybe some lovely sea weed to go with the organic quinoa?
But back to wondering what is going to draw the GCSB to look at, ok SPY on us. The first thing I heard this morning was all activist will be targets of abuse and likely to be spied on. maybe just for a practice or training exercise.
I am an activist! Should I be worried. I wonder if I could un-activate and join the National Party or maybe move and join the Country Womens Institute I would be above suspicion? Hmmm it's got me thinking.
It is dehumanising a population to act in this way. It is anti-democratic but I saw that the National party could dispense with democracy way back in 2009 when they took over Ecan and then didn't hold a local election in Chch . See what happens when people have their rights eroded. Nothing. All the money s sucked out and the people are not the ones to profit. Just another good deal was made by some person somewhere else.
When a big heartless machine called a corporation poses as a person pretending to care you have a big problem . Cos the money will buy them the next election and the people who now don't care anymore cos they lost their democratic rights end up not voting and things just get better for the Corporations and the people
What does this mean for the opposition parties in Parliament now?
There have been issues swirling around the Beehive that certain MPs do not like having their private information tampered with yet are willing to allow a LAW that made what was ILLEGAL, now Legal.
It is just wrong.
The level of security breaches, bungles, blow outs and cover ups is beyond a simple conspiracy theory. the game is pretty obvious. Rules are gone. this is a game with no rules. Plus how could you have faith in a Government that routinely fucks up data information NOVOpay was just one example. ACC Breaches and the MSD now wants to do drug testing. I do think they are capable of doing this legally. One thing I would never ever want to be openly sent would be anything to do with my health information after the ACC debarcle to another government department where I only exist as a number.
I am sure no one has noticed how the majority of the National Party MPs have had PR makeovers and no longer even speak regular english. Rather it's a serious , Look John , or Rachel or any other tv journalists name and the first sentence is Look (insert name) I'm not going to talk about that now. (drop vocal tone to Match Margaret thatchers) and continue to stare frostily before saying ,now if you would like to talk about the snapper quota or price of a latte , that's what people are really interested in.
How odd. I am 47 and have never had snapper until moving to Auckland. Snapper is not even caught in the cold south Island waters. we have cod. Red and Blue. One for each political leaning. I am pretty sure the greens would look down on eating fish and who would want to eat a green fish anyway? Maybe some lovely sea weed to go with the organic quinoa?
But back to wondering what is going to draw the GCSB to look at, ok SPY on us. The first thing I heard this morning was all activist will be targets of abuse and likely to be spied on. maybe just for a practice or training exercise.
I am an activist! Should I be worried. I wonder if I could un-activate and join the National Party or maybe move and join the Country Womens Institute I would be above suspicion? Hmmm it's got me thinking.
It is dehumanising a population to act in this way. It is anti-democratic but I saw that the National party could dispense with democracy way back in 2009 when they took over Ecan and then didn't hold a local election in Chch . See what happens when people have their rights eroded. Nothing. All the money s sucked out and the people are not the ones to profit. Just another good deal was made by some person somewhere else.
When a big heartless machine called a corporation poses as a person pretending to care you have a big problem . Cos the money will buy them the next election and the people who now don't care anymore cos they lost their democratic rights end up not voting and things just get better for the Corporations and the people
Shane, You're a WINNER Babe
If I were Kevin Rudd I'd be investigating the legality of the Australian TAB paying out on the lection bets before the election. I am pretty sure this has never happened on a horse race. No race , no dividend.
Psychologically saying you have lost before the race and paying out potentially has the power to change voters minds.
Who wants to vote for the identified loser?
It is a very powerful suggestive ploy , it works , but is it legal?
Everyone loves a winner and I am picking Shane Jones as the most outstanding candidate so far in our own Leaders race.I can already picture him wearing a Korowai as the leader with the most mana.
He may also be the under dog but we like that. Perhaps he is the Lady Di of politics, not the peoples Princess but maybe a Prince of the people. He certainly is well spoken and has great poise.
No one is perfect, most potential politicians try to claim they are prefect some are even pious. However usually pride comes before a fall and we all know Shane has owned up to being a person capable of making mistakes but owning them.
We all can admit to some minor failing whether it is swearing, indiscretions or gambling too much. Human beings have weaknesses.
It is his candid nature that makes him a superiour candidate to David Cunliffe.
I live in New Lynn and despite being from Christchurch, not Auckland, I am more well known and a familiar sight in new Lynn than Mr. Cunliffe.
He suggested that he wants to keep his family protected . Um from his constituents? What is he afraid of ?Too precious.
He doesn't live here and once again it seems to be a pattern for David. he isn't one of us.
Psychologically saying you have lost before the race and paying out potentially has the power to change voters minds.
Who wants to vote for the identified loser?
It is a very powerful suggestive ploy , it works , but is it legal?
Everyone loves a winner and I am picking Shane Jones as the most outstanding candidate so far in our own Leaders race.I can already picture him wearing a Korowai as the leader with the most mana.
He may also be the under dog but we like that. Perhaps he is the Lady Di of politics, not the peoples Princess but maybe a Prince of the people. He certainly is well spoken and has great poise.
No one is perfect, most potential politicians try to claim they are prefect some are even pious. However usually pride comes before a fall and we all know Shane has owned up to being a person capable of making mistakes but owning them.
We all can admit to some minor failing whether it is swearing, indiscretions or gambling too much. Human beings have weaknesses.
It is his candid nature that makes him a superiour candidate to David Cunliffe.
I live in New Lynn and despite being from Christchurch, not Auckland, I am more well known and a familiar sight in new Lynn than Mr. Cunliffe.
He suggested that he wants to keep his family protected . Um from his constituents? What is he afraid of ?Too precious.
He doesn't live here and once again it seems to be a pattern for David. he isn't one of us.
Friday, 19 July 2013
Why Paula Bennett has it so wrong in drug testing beneficiaries.
I am a drug and alcohol counsellor who has worked at Odyssey House and met people your grandmother warned you about. As part of my training I was regularly required to collect urine from people on the drug treatment programmes. What did piss testing teach me?
Quite a few things but nothing about testing urine, reducing drug use.
In fact instead of drug testing beneficiaries we should be breath testing workers for alcohol.
Drug testing people is collecting health related information. This should be done in a medical centre and I would not trust WINZ to manage that information. Only people who have jobs that require a certain level of safety clearance like pilots or drivers need to be drug tested. 40 % of jobs listed at WINZ require pre-employment drug testing? I wonder why ?
I find it interesting and a little disturbing that this is happening in New Zealand when both America and Australia are moving in the direction of legalising cannabis as they have found it to be far superior and safer than alcohol for a population. why are we behaving so conservatively towards cannabis when we are reckless with alcohol. One in 20 deaths in New Zealand is alcohol related. No one has ever died of cannabis!
The thing with drug testing that many people don't know is that all drugs we may consume legal or illegal pass through the body in 24 hours. So in effect any substance consumed before Sunday morning is most likely to be undetectable if drug testing occurs at work on a Monday or a Tuesday. In fact the only substance that remains in the body for longer is cannabis. Unlike alcohol and other drugs/chemicals cannabis binds to the fat molecules in our body and hangs around. So if your workmates have partied all weekend taking all number of substances and you smoked a joint at a friends house two weeks ago. Guess who the net traps? The cannabis smoker everytime. In fact there are instances of cannabis remaining in your blood stream for up to a month .
Is this fair?
And why the concern with illegal drugs when the only drug detected when drug testing is used in this fashion is cannabis. The other illegal drugs have long gone so not a lot to be gained.
I feel this sort of testing should not be abused but should remain used in the case of workplace accidents. What is needed is a reliable test on the spot. For those in work.
Drug testing beneficiaries is invasive discrimination.
Show me the jobs Paula!
Ok so no jobs , show me some training or meaningful work experiences such as courses and apprenticeships to get our young people up-skilled and into work.
How about random alcohol and drug testing in Parliament. who parties with celebs in the weekends?
who drinks in their office or comes to work hungover?
Surely if you want to pry into the lives of job seekers we should extend the same regime to those in Parliament.
No one likes being bullied and given that the job market seems to be shrinking every week opportunities for job seekers are few and far between. I think a job creation scheme is what is needed not more power to the great clobbering machine.
And refuse to take any drug test or share any personal information till well after the first and second interview.
I believe this time the Human Rights Commission may have some advice for Paula about to how to treat people with respect. As for the her statement that the welfare reforms are going to take some people out of their comfort zones, pretty farcical considering there is not much comfort in living on $258 .00 per week.
Quite a few things but nothing about testing urine, reducing drug use.
In fact instead of drug testing beneficiaries we should be breath testing workers for alcohol.
Drug testing people is collecting health related information. This should be done in a medical centre and I would not trust WINZ to manage that information. Only people who have jobs that require a certain level of safety clearance like pilots or drivers need to be drug tested. 40 % of jobs listed at WINZ require pre-employment drug testing? I wonder why ?
I find it interesting and a little disturbing that this is happening in New Zealand when both America and Australia are moving in the direction of legalising cannabis as they have found it to be far superior and safer than alcohol for a population. why are we behaving so conservatively towards cannabis when we are reckless with alcohol. One in 20 deaths in New Zealand is alcohol related. No one has ever died of cannabis!
The thing with drug testing that many people don't know is that all drugs we may consume legal or illegal pass through the body in 24 hours. So in effect any substance consumed before Sunday morning is most likely to be undetectable if drug testing occurs at work on a Monday or a Tuesday. In fact the only substance that remains in the body for longer is cannabis. Unlike alcohol and other drugs/chemicals cannabis binds to the fat molecules in our body and hangs around. So if your workmates have partied all weekend taking all number of substances and you smoked a joint at a friends house two weeks ago. Guess who the net traps? The cannabis smoker everytime. In fact there are instances of cannabis remaining in your blood stream for up to a month .
Is this fair?
And why the concern with illegal drugs when the only drug detected when drug testing is used in this fashion is cannabis. The other illegal drugs have long gone so not a lot to be gained.
I feel this sort of testing should not be abused but should remain used in the case of workplace accidents. What is needed is a reliable test on the spot. For those in work.
Drug testing beneficiaries is invasive discrimination.
Show me the jobs Paula!
Ok so no jobs , show me some training or meaningful work experiences such as courses and apprenticeships to get our young people up-skilled and into work.
How about random alcohol and drug testing in Parliament. who parties with celebs in the weekends?
who drinks in their office or comes to work hungover?
Surely if you want to pry into the lives of job seekers we should extend the same regime to those in Parliament.
No one likes being bullied and given that the job market seems to be shrinking every week opportunities for job seekers are few and far between. I think a job creation scheme is what is needed not more power to the great clobbering machine.
And refuse to take any drug test or share any personal information till well after the first and second interview.
I believe this time the Human Rights Commission may have some advice for Paula about to how to treat people with respect. As for the her statement that the welfare reforms are going to take some people out of their comfort zones, pretty farcical considering there is not much comfort in living on $258 .00 per week.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)