Lest We Forget....

Image by Matthew Saunders via Flickr

....600,000 Kiwi Canines never bit anyone today.

see the now world wide story here

Woman charged after savage dog attack

TV3 News - Jane Luscombe - ‎8 hours ago‎

"You go out to a dog bite you don't expect to see what we saw. It was just horrendous. That's one that will probably stay with me forever. ...

Nine hours of surgery after dog attack TVNZ

Woman Mauled by Hunting Dogs - Suffers Nearly Fatal Injuries InjuryBoard.com

Wife 'big blob of blood' after attack Otago Daily Times

NZ City - The Associated Press

This is not about the breed. This is about responsible ownership and training (about which we have few facts). There is nothing in this tragedy so far that indicates the dogs were 'set' onto the victim here. Further, this wasn't atypical territorial/resource guarding, it was pack hunting. Pack hunting is a trained/learned behavior, it is not innate. A good (pig) dog doesn't just launch into hunting mode - it should exhibit controlled restraint until commanded. Otherwise it is not a good hunters pig dog and is ever present danger and a management problem. (even Wolves learn this as pups)

If one or more of these dogs had acute socialisation issues it certainly suggests one or more (possibly all) of these dogs needed to be kenneled AND to be managed effectively off leash. But that still doesnt mean the events that unfolded was inherently criminal.

The owner(in this case) may have been presented with a very difficult situation, with NO knowledge she had 'savage dogs' in her care. They may, on the other hand have been on her property because one or more had 'issues'. But that doesn't make her CRIMINALLY culpable.

I have no doubt that one or more of these dogs WILL have exhibited pack hunting aggression towards moving human 'prey' before. The questions remain, did SHE know this, if so, had she taken steps to manage this, and what can we learn from 'what failed' here.

However, the unique circumstances of that management may not be directly the fault of the 'guardian' in this case and despite the baying for blood by a motley rabble of concerned citizens, the question of culpability is made complex now the eight dogs have been punished (euthanised).

['Destroyed' is a gawd awful term, and very unhelpful in its fueling of prejudices and emotions. Calls for the two restrained dogs that did nothing to also be 'destroyed' beggars belief and says more about people than it does dogs. ]

What we can predict will be clamouring for tougher laws targeting 'those people' and 'those dogs' and much venting of spleens and little practical real world solutions. While this is a case with some very unique characteristics, such exceptional cases tend to inform policy poorly.

Regrettably and more broadly, the more we keep our dogs on short leads and behind high fences the less socialised our dogs are becoming thus producing the very outcomes we set out to solve. This case will not help informed discussion and will lead to preventative euthanisation without due considerations. (cf:Invercargill, Bill Watts)

One can only hope the prognosis for the lass bitten so terribly is as as good as medicine, doctors and ACC can make possible. The scars will be more than skin deep and the burden will fall on those all around her.

We as a collective community should direct our concerns at restoring 'what is broken' and not distort the discourse so we can learn 'collectively' what to look out for where we live and better enable common civility to protect us.

Lest we forget, there is no rule we can make that is that is smarter than us.

(Consider this case that occurred the same day Police K9 escapes yard, bites face, legs, body of 60yr old Woman protecting her on leash Chihuahua)

Blair Anderson ‹(•¿•)›

Social Ecologist 'at large'
ph (643) 389 4065 cell 027 265 7219

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Parker Goes UnderGround

 Parker plans urban study tour 

 (http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch/2661170/Parker-plans-urban-study-tour / By CHARLIE GATES - The Press)  

> Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker plans to visit North American cities to study urban regeneration, public transport and heritage protection.  

While "OverSeas" he should ask if any of the cities are building any bus depot's or other critical infrastructure below sea level.

He might need some advice on where to get 'insurance' against IPPC forecasts and risk of hydrostatic displacement.  

Seeing as your looking at the Seattle Public Library, the Presidio Park (Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco) and a light-rail system in Vancouver -  Imagine an aboveground 'green building' including library and other civic networking facilities (rail/bus/road) if the Heritage of Hagley Park and the Addington sale yards had been used.

Goodness, we don't even know where the Tram is going to go? We make it up as we go. 

It links what with what network? 

How does that service inner city residential commuting? 

Why does 'the tram' get such priority and expense yet is nothing more than a 'cute' tourism train-set "getting in the way of what is needed."

Usefully, while in Seattle Bob, you may learn something of the enlighted urban design drivers to safer communities.

(as presented to the LT plan Bob, you know, you were there. Remember, you said I was disrespectful. Its on the record.) 

In the spirit of "Time to Talk" Bob, I would be happy to arrange for you and the CCC officials to meet with Executive Director of the Volunteer Committee of Lawyers, King County Bar Association and Washington State Senator, Roger Goodman.  

Some of his connections include:  

King County Bar Association 

Church Council of Greater Seattle 

King County Medical Society 

League of Women Voters of Washington 

Loren Miller Bar Association 

Municipal League of King County 

National Alliance on Mental Illness of Washington 

Seattle League of Women Voters 

Washington Academy of Family Physicians 

Washington Osteopathic Medical Association 

Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility 

Washington Society of Addiction Medicine 

Washington State Bar Association 

Washington State Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics 

Washington State Medical Association 

Washington State Pharmacy Association 

Washington State Psychiatric Association 

Washington State Psychological Association 

Washington State Public Health Association  

And he can offer some insight into what they think works....  

If your going to be in Seattle - The next Seattle Hempfest is August 15-16, The event spans three Seattle waterfront parks: Elliott Bay Park, Myrtle Edwards Park, and Olympic Sculpture Park.  

You can get there... by car, bicycle, train, bus, boat and plane. Walking is good! 

http://www.hempfest.org/drupal/node/68  

More people than an Ellerslie Flower Show! And it's FREE! 

Won't cost us rate-payers a cent.  

Perhaps Roger will host you there, if you ask nicely.  

sig: Blair Anderson

ph (643) 389 4065   cell 027 265 7219

(PS: note the drop in price of NZ coastal properties Bob!, how long will South Spit 'housing' be insurable? The life of a mortgage?)

Christchurch KidsFest goes to the Dogs

Perceptions VS Realities.

The above image is a capture from my computer screen showing the STUFF (PRESS) coverage given to the TV2/PRESS/CCC KidsFest (school holiday activities) alongside [just] one of a number of images (and video) I took of the 'helicopter/dog' AOS activity.

Image via Wikipedia

There is an acute contrast in subject matter given everywhere else. If the mission is to 'scare kids into societal compliance' the message has somehow become more important than the kids.

This POLICE Armed Offenders activity caused concern to a number of the children attending the event. Military grade weapons were pointed in the direction of the young people and the parents (see photo, children are all to photographers right). While in reality, I am completely aware these weapons would have been made 'safe' for the purposes of the demonstration, this is about perceptions in the context of today's 'news and reality television' that children are exposed too. Along with the drama of the moment my video sound captures parents having to reassure clearly concerned children that this was "its just an exercise." Other remarks were overheard (but not captured). These include "Are they going to shoot him Dad" and other remarks that clearly indicated that this wasn't about 'the police dog, its handler and any demonstrable skills' rather a bigger picture as observed by parents and seen children.

The dog played a small and insignificant role and in the view of this handler, was neither very proficient, focused, or skilled.

It was shown to be used as an instrument of fear and control. It certainly wasn't about health and safety, rather one of suspected criminal activity associated with drug use (broadcast by announcer).

[ Note: the writer requested CCC to formally discuss the appropriateness of and inconsistency of this activity in the Dog Day Out advertised objectives with CCC administration as both a parent, an exhibitor/participant (School of the Naked Dog - http://nakeddog.co.nz ) and in my capacity as a founding director of Educators for Sensible Drug Policy http://efsdp.org ). - "I look forward to your confirmation of a meeting to view and discuss these photos & video content at your earliest convenience, and, I trust, how we might contribute ideas to replacing this 'activity' so that the overall tenor, themes and objectives of Dog Day Out are positively enhanced for future events."]

These concerns are mutually shared by front line health delivery specialists (nursing staff) that recognise the use of WestPak rescue ambulance/helicopter in this case also has public relations implications.

Image by bartmaguire via Flickr

The response from CCC was to deflect any concerns commenting variously 'its not the first time we have done it, no one else has complained, its just one of 220 events, we are greatful to Garden City Helicopters for their support, and we used to have the dog bring the guy down....' - This was a school holiday activity, if this was to occur as a formal part of an intermediate school health and safety initiative it would be seriously questionable 'use of resources' but worse, while hopefuly ineffectual, likely counterproductive.

I have, since the Jan Molenaar incident seen AOS response twice in my near neighborhood. Are we to believe we are safer for all this increased prevelance of police precence in the community... media continues to report fearful crime epidemics yet statistics show crime is decreasing.

Is Dog Day Out just another example (expression) of the media x police collusion in manufacturing consent - the attached image makes a strong case. Despite the offer of use of video proof no media would take the opportunity to 'tackle' the seeming vexing complexity at the nexus of this.

That said... "in all other respects an enjoyable day was had. It is a refreshing reminder to naysayers who see dogs as problematic in the community that here we had hundreds of children and dogs and the only spat we saw was a fox terrier with a napoleon complex grrr'ing a 60kg behemoth that could have sat on it! All in all and excellent public relations (for dogs and owners everywhere) that should remind us all that 600,000 kiwi-dogs never bit anyone today."

We hope that the CCC can be just as creative and committed to 'Take a Dog to Work" day for much the same reason and societal reward.

Yours faithfully, Blair Anderson

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CHCH 2020 Climate Change Community Consultation

Image via Wikipedia

attn: Hon Nick Smith, member for Tasman. Minister Responsible for Climate Change.

re: Christchurch 2020 CC Dialog at the Christchurch Convention Center

Dear Nick,

As one of the last to comment/question verbally I spoke of historical 'grievance' and US 1000 tonnes vs China 1 tonne.

Your appropriate response was to acknowledge that such a grievance existed but you took umbrage at my estimate of one tonne for Chinese (and many other developing nations) by the time the USA had emitted 1000 tonnes pp. then went on to point out that Chinese emissions were currently much higher therefore by inference suggesting my differential was of less consequence. Further you added that China was not in support of C&C. While my reference to the historical basis was recognition of legitimate grievance, I argue that failure to address that grievance is masked by white privilege and that ANY government that avoids the responsibility (and negates the social dividend of a rights based solution, surely a National Party Principle) is guilty of culpable genocide, set aside the injustice of failing to improve health equity through social and economic development that improves healthy lifestyle and conditions*, reduces the burden of disease and results in the social capital of leveling up of poorest communities and removing unfair economic arrangements.

When I presented the simplicity, logic and reason for NZ's support for C&C, at the Christchurch Business consultation Treasury officials encouragingly referred to C&C as the conscience behind the ETS.

I am pleased you personally consider its merits so highly and for the first time in a public forum [that I have heard] a Minister of the Crown actually mention C&C let alone in favorable terms.

I defer to the following reports, firstly prepared for

Government of South Australia : Copenhagen, contraction and convergence
www.epnrm.sa.gov.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket...tabid=2732
• Developed nations have high emissions levels (e.g. Au = 28 tonnes/person/year)
• Developing nations have low emission levels (e.g. China = 1 tonne/person/year)
• Global sustainable level (450ppm) is around 3 tonne/person/year
• Copenhagen December 2009

and
For example the Contract and Converge strategy has now been adopted by India, China and many African countries as the basis for future negotiations.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.php?curid=3040255

As to New Zealand [fast] following Australia these comments should, in my opinion give weight to my question; Why has C&C been overlooked?

Please accept this correspondence as a formal response to your request for feedback. I expect to see C&C given the standing it deserves.

United Nations Association of Australia

http://www.unaavictoria.org.au/media/GMUNC/Resolution_Original.pdf
Invites all Parties adopt a global program of "Contraction and Convergence" that provides for a fair and equitable global per capita emissions target consistent with the principles of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stabilize the global climate and that ensures temperature rises are well below 2°C (above pre-industrial averages) and
that greenhouse gas concentrations are less than 400ppm CO2-equivalent;

The Australia Institute
https://www.tai.org.au/file.php?file=web_papers/WP104.pdf
The determination of national budgets on this basis is likely to be consistent with the so-called 'contraction and convergence' method of allocating emission allowances. Global emission levels would be reduced (contraction) and per capita emission levels should gradually be equalised amongst developed and developing countries (convergence) over the 21st century.

World Health Organisation

"There is a need to develop conceptual frameworks such as Contraction and Convergence."

I continue to seek the support of your Ministry to assist in bringing C&C architect Aubrey Meyer to New Zealand and would like to make that case in person. This represents an opportunity for New Zealand to both show leadership in CC strategy and maximise our international standing in economic development and social justice. It would be entirely appropriate given that voice to C&C has been avoided in all public discussion documents to date this is done expeditiously.

*Notably in reference to the current obesity issue, the latest British Medical Journal makes the following reference: "This policy [C&C] offers a way forward which is globally just and produces profuse health benefits, such as encouraging more physical function among people in industrialised societies."

Yours faithfully,

sig: Blair Anderson

Another MildGreen Initiative and Social Ecologist 'at large'
http://blairformayor.blogspot.com
http://mildgreens.blogspot.com
ph (643) 389 4065 cell 027 265 7219

Cap and Trade Is a Scam, and Only the Few Will Survive

Image via Wikipedia

"Father of the Gaia Theory, James Lovelock says we can't stop climate change, but that humanity will continue in some smaller form"

The Dark Side of Climate Change: It's Already Too Late, Cap and Trade Is a Scam, and Only the Few Will Survive Environment AlterNet#c1254678:

And that is why it was ever so important that MP Nick Smith came out and supported in principal, the only framework for managing emissions 'Contraction and Convergence' [C&C] at last nights Climate Change 2020 consultation in Christchurch Convention Center.

Will the media notice C&C ? Will they notice it has been crucially omitted form MFE and MED consultation documents todate, despite it being highly indicated?

If its was good enough for the Minister responsible for Climate Change crucially giving it the thumbs up why on gods earth has it been avoided until the weeks before Bonn and COP12.

Blair Anderson

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Pandemic Roadshow (Swine/Bird) Flu out the window

 The Pandemic roadshow is now on summer break. It will return in 2009.

 Oh dear...

 

http://www.pandemicroadshow.org.nz/

 

Question the Canterbury District Health Board, South Canterbury District Health Board, Community and Public Health, Canterbury Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group, Environment Canterbury, territorial authorities, Science Alive, Red Cross, and St. John, they are all partners.

 

--

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

 

Dew Point and Pot: virus spread by respiratory droplets and stopped by cannabis..

Dew Point and Pot:  virus spread by respiratory droplets and stopped by cannabis..

 

We all know influenza is more common in winter. But researchers have not known why. Virologist doctor Peter Palese has been studying the effects of heat and cold on the flu virus. He found that at higher temperatures, the flu virus didn't spread, but at colder temperature it did.

"The virus is probably more stable in cold temperature, so it hangs in the air much longer," Dr. Palese told Ivanhoe.

Allowing it to spread easier. Here's how -- when we cough or sneeze, microscopic droplets of water and the virus enter the air. Dry, cold conditions dry out the droplets, helping the virus linger in the air. The dry air also dries out nasal passages, which helps the virus stick.

"Cold dry air going over your nasal mucosa gets cracks in our airways and that allows virus to get in more easily," Anice Lowen, researcher at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine told Ivanhoe.

Influenza has long been considered a seasonal virus. Factors including indoor crowding during cold weather, seasonal fluctuations in host immune responses, relative humidity, temperature, and UV radiation have all been suggested to account for this phenomenon, but none of these hypotheses had previously been tested directly.

The researchers tested the effects of temperature and relative humidity on infected and naive guinea pigs. The study found that low relative humidities of 20%-30% induced the rapid spread of the virus, with the opposite effect at 80% or above. Also, results showed that the virus spread more easily at 5 °C than at 20 °C, with no transmission at 30 °C.

The data implicates that low relative humidities produced by indoor heating and winter temperatures favor the spread of influenza. This study should serve as the basis for understanding the seasonality of other viral infections.  / Citation: Lowen AC, Mubareka S, Steel J, Palese P (2007) Influenza virus transmission is dependent on relative humidity and temperature. PLoS Pathog 3(10): e151. doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.0030151

Its the Dew Point!  (or open a window!)

(either cumulus cloud height, or calculate from coldwater* / temperature relationship [good ed idea] or use 200 dollar weather tool )

Putting this to use, it's easy to figure out the dew point, and thus the expected comfort level, directly from the relative humidity and the temperature: for instance, if it is 30 °C outside, and the relative humidity is 75%, then the dew point temperature will be about 25 °C. It's also easy to see how much could be gained from evaporative cooling - in this case, at most 5 degrees. "Further, by adjusting the relationship a little to account for the effects of temperature, it is also simple to use the relative humidity to compute the altitude of cumulus cloud bases without a calculator to a good approximation, usually within about 10%", says Lawrence

BUT CONSIDER this from my colleague Bob Melamede

Chief Science Officer for CSI Dr. Melamede believes the potential for cannabinoids that naturally prevent excessive inflammatory immune responses is enormous.

He stated, "Based upon recent discoveries regarding the role that endocannabinoid system plays in maintaining human health, we may have a unique solution to the looming threat posed by deadly influenza strains that we believe, if implemented, could save millions of lives."

World Health Organization has just declared a swine flu pandemic - raising its pandemic warning from phase 5 to 6.

This is the first global flu epidemic in 41 years. There have been outbreaks in Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Dr. Robert J. Melamede, Director and Chief Science Officer for Cannibis Science Inc. reports, "Research into use of whole cannabis extracts and multi-cannabinoid compounds has provided the scientific rationale for medical marijuana's efficacy in treating some of the most troubling diseases mankind now faces, including infectious diseases such as the flu and HIV, autoimmune diseases such as ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and diabetes, neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's, stroke and brain injury, as well as numerous forms of cancer."

Dr. Melamede went on to say, "The high lethality of some strains of flu can be attributed to the excessive inflammatory response driven by Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF). Endocannabinoids are nature's way of controlling TNF activity. Phytocannabinoids can mimic the natural endocannabinoids to prevent excessive inflammatory immune responses."

Cannabis Science Inc., President & CEO, Steven W. Kubby sent a letter to Homeland Security Administration Secretary Janet Napolitano.   "We have the science and preliminary anecdotal results confirming the anti-inflammatory properties of our new lozenges and indicating they may present an effective and non-toxic treatment for minimizing the symptoms and harm from influenza infections. Our lozenges appear to down-regulate the body's excessive inflammatory response to the influenza virus, which could reduce the deadly consequences of an infection into something that is more like a common cold. Because of my cancer and diminished auto-immune functions, even common influenza is a deadly threat, and I've had incredible symptomatic relief with the lozenge."

Chief Science Officer for CSI Dr. Melamede believes the potential for cannabinoids that naturally prevent excessive inflammatory immune responses is enormous. He stated, "Based upon recent discoveries regarding the role that endocannabinoid system plays in maintaining human health, we may have a unique solution to the looming threat posed by deadly influenza strains that we believe, if implemented, could save millions of lives."

Dr. Robert J. Melamede, Director and Chief Science Officer, stated, "The influenza virus has a unique genetic make up that, in combination with its replicative machinery, has an extraordinary capacity to mutate. As a result, the high lethality of some strains can be attributed to the resulting adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ARDS is caused by an excessive immune inflammatory response driven by Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) that leads to the death of respiratory epithelial cells and resulting organ failure. Endocannabinoids are nature's way of controlling TNF activity. Existing peer reviewed publications have shown that phytocannabinoids can prevent this cell death by mimicking the endocannabinoids that nature has selected to prevent excessive inflammatory immune responses."

"This sounds very promising, but, of course the political hurdles are daunting."  / Rose Field, Pittsburgh Gardening Scene Examiner

Arising from both of these concepts, Dew Point and Pot, there is the benefit of internalising the commercial potential of fostering the epidemiological research (under NZ's Class D legal regulation, already in place.) at the same time teaching through schools the health promotion / prevention strategy (and optimal home and commercial heating model for swine flu mitigation) around dew point.

 

Note: Auckland humid, Christchurch dry validated by current infection levels. Worth exploring?

 

 

*Max Planc Society 010405

--
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