Blair Anderson, on the hustings 'canvassing for opinion'

Blair Anderson, on the hustings 'canvassing for opinion'
affiliation: Blair4Mayor.com

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Is Climate Clean Coal?

or on making carbon disappear using the evidence based Gerry Brownlee Method.
 
consider this insight:  
 
Vaclav Smil, an energy expert at the University of Manitoba, has estimated that capturing and burying just 10 percent of the carbon dioxide emitted over a year from coal-fire plants at current rates would require moving volumes of compressed carbon dioxide greater than the total annual flow of oil worldwide -- a massive undertaking requiring decades and trillions of dollars. "Beware of the scale," he stressed." 
(and Gerry expects to be able to find a 'sealable' stable rock strata on these, the Shakey Isles.!! I wouldn't bet my beer on it... )
 
Of course the alternatives suggested thus far (ie: Contraction and Convergence) need just a bit more than promise and posturing...
 
 
Blair Anderson  ‹(•¿•)›

Monday, April 20, 2009

Sensible Sentencing Goes to the Dogs

Photo by me Philip Thompson of Anacronismo Mas...Image via Wikipedia

Press Release: School Of The Naked Dog


Sensible Sentencing Goes to the Dogs

"What sort of cowboy outfit are they running?" Christchurch based canine behavourist and trainer Natalie Perzylo comments on Invercargill's canine justice.

Following the media mis-charactersiation and inflammatory language of events surrounding two Neapolitan mastiffs released without authorisation 'by commandos' from the Invercargill Dog Pound, spokesperson for the highly popular website doglinks.co.nz, Ms Perzylo says this is really about the inadequacy of the ICC pound facilities to provide duty of care while due process is exercised.

The very graphic injuries and pitbull stereotyping on TV One's CLOSE UP item [17April] "Dog Vs Human, then What?" amounts to emotional blackmail when in the light of day the owner had no objection to the offending dog being euthanised and, being entitled to her day in court insisted, and rightly so, on civil procedure for its docile companion.

"The media portrayal of the extensive injuries from pitbull bites misdirects the public on this issue" says Blair Anderson of the School of the Naked Dog (nakeddog.co.nz). "NZ research earlier this year suggests it is Fox Terriers, Labradors followed by Chihuahuas that characteristically bite family members inside their own properties."

Anderson points out that we have created rules, regulations and enforcement where recent Massey conducted research suggests as much as four out of five of 400,000 or so registered dogs are not getting the required daily activity. "It shows we are increasingly keeping our dogs behind high fences and on short leads now. This is leading to the very problem we set out to solve". We were sold track and trace microchips and a national database of ownership as a politically expedient solution.

Against BSLImage by birdtrouble via Flickr


Our policy is fraught with downsides; people with smaller dogs are increasingly fearful of any larger dog on or off lead. This is made worse by ill-informed bred specific prejudice largely media driven.

Socialisation is key to public safety. Yes, some people need some help and guidance, while others only need confidence. Due to recent legislative changes and the increasingly dire consequences (huge fines, serious jail time, crippling veterinary fees, punitive pound fees and medical and legal costs) we now have a shortage of competent qualified and professional trainers and so many dogs, and families, in need.

Doglink's spokesperson Natalie Perzylo agrees with Anderson's streetwise canine knowledge further questioning how CLOSE UP failed to question Bill Watts?

"The ICC Environmental Services Director wants both dogs dead (presumably because he lost them both) yet according to media sources, the bites to the victims arm 'became infected' some time later suggesting they did not warrant prophylactic antibiotics, a precautionary measure taken first in any bite laceration scenario." No one wants to diminish the personal anguish of the victim here but lets enable discovery and ensure the truth of the matter. Courts are good at that. Cowboys aren't."

Neapolitan Mastiff Head.Image via Wikipedia


"Contrast that with TV One's shocking images of teeth punctures and open wounds. Where is the investigative journalism here? It is an emotive argument feed by moral panic and little substantiating fact. That is why we must leave it to due process. But if we are to learn something from this it may be that 'the policy' may be contributing to the problem and we need a more informed community for our companion animals."

"We know Kiwi's seek out guidance on dog behaviour, its such a popular topic" says Ms Perzylo who keeps a good tab on the SPCA's endorsed website. The traffic statistics prove "hundreds of New Zealander's are learning something canine everyday. Territorial authorities collect some 20 million dollars a year from dog fees alone, I am sure NZ's dog owners agree that education is better than intolerance and injustice."

The School of the Naked Dog commences the next of its eight week 90 minute socialisation [and bite inhibition] classes using the Ian Dunbar endorsed "KinderPuppy" curriculum at its Merivale, Christchurch venue Sunday the 26th. At nakeddog.co.nz/kinderpuppy is the opportunity to register, without obligation, anyone interested, be it Christchurch, Invercargill and Nationally, and we'll look to bringing the program to your district, school, or facility.
ENDS

Friday, April 10, 2009

Cannabis 'can be used to build homes'

Published Date: 09 April 2009

Screenshot of a hemp farm from Hemp for Victory.Image via Wikipedia


A form of cannabis could be used to build carbon-neutral homes of the future, university researchers in Bath said. A consortium, led by the BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials at the University of Bath, has embarked on a housing project to develop the use of construction materials made of hemp.
---- snip ----
Professor Pete Walker, director of the BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials, said: "We will be looking at the feasibility of using hemp-lime in place of traditional materials, so that they can be used widely in the building industry."We will be measuring the properties of lime-hemp materials, such as their strength and durability, as well as the energy efficiency of buildings made of these materials.

Male Cannabis flowers.Image via Wikipedia


"Using renewable crops to make building materials makes real sense - it only takes an area the size of a rugby pitch four months to grow enough hemp to build a typical three-bedroom house."

Growing crops such as hemp can also provide economic and social benefits to rural economies through new agricultural markets for farmers and associated industries.

We'll there is a turn for the books. While everyone said it couldn't be done, shouldn't be done, and what about the kids! The University of Bath picks up where NZ academia just reject out of hand.... /Blair






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