Shadow Footprints

Join in on Stuff's debate about the funding of Herceptin. Take a chance to comment about how the reporters haven't covered the story and what conclusions the reporters want you to draw from the articles.

Should ten people die so that one may live?

Should one person die so that ten may live?

The first Gay Geek Dinner was held last night. I had an enjoyable time and got to meet new people. After a few late cancels and several no-shows we ended up with eight people in the end, which worked well for chatting together.

We met up at Mighty Mighty, with it's great ambience. Something I hadn't thought about was how strangers could meet each other in what eventually was a busy bar, but we managed. (Maybe that's what happened to the no-shows?)

The Google t-shirts, discounts cards for Moo, and Armageddon swag was well received.

When time came for dinner, i.e. a few people asked when were we eating, we moved on to Southern Cross. Food geeks would love the way steaks are served, on a sizzling hot stone.

One has to slice the steak up into small pieces to cook.

As we finished eating the live music that started playing wasn't to our tastes so wandered back to Mighty Mighty for an after dinner drink, losing three diners in the process.

The evening finished with hot chocolate at Ernesto, being waved at by friendly cops stopped at a red light.

All-in-all an enjoyable evening for the first Gay Geek Dinner, meeting people with similar interests.

Event: A Dinner for Gay Geeks (and partners and friends).

Date: Friday 18 April.
Time: re-dinner drinks from 6pm, Dinner around 7:30pm
Place: Pre-dinner drinks at Mighty Mighty, Cuba St. Dinner somewhere nearby. Suggestions welcome.

The date is the Friday before Armageddon. Any out-of-town gay pulp culture geeks here for the expo are most welcome.

Spread the word and please suggest locations for dinner.

RSVP: Contact me to let me know if you may be coming.
GayGeekDinner@shadowfoot.com
twitter.com/Shadowfoot. Details also on Facebook and Upcoming.

Loot: Google Open Source and Moo have sent stuff for me to give out.

Labour is promising tax cuts over the next few years. I wonder how I will see them?

• As an increase in Working For Families?
• As further bonuses to student loan repayments?
• Increased funds into Kiwisaver?
• A decrease in tax paid while on parental leave?
• A drop in the lowest tax bracket, countered by raising the tax take from the "Rich pricks"?
• An across the board "chewing gum" reduction in tax?
• Spray paint to be GST exempt?

I won't hold my breath.

Not this, but this. Game over!

No, it seems it's not Starbucks, they help. No, it's Zombies.

Now go back and read the article about Starbucks, which is completely unrelated to Zombies.

Link: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10424705&ref=watchafternoon

If ecstasy was legalised, then as a legal drug, it could have the quality regulated. Sure, some people would still buy it illegally, but many people would buy a known product, especially since most tests show it as safer than alcohol. As less people buy it illegally, dealers would be less likely to distribute it straight, and their buyers would always expect an enhanced version and would not be unaware of this.

At the same time party pills could have the quality regulated. As a bonus the price would likely drop and be closer to other parts of the world.

Line between party pills and illegal drugs blurred

Forensic tests have shown some party pills contain illicit drugs, police said today.

They also pointed to similarities in appearance, logos and names between party pills, which legally contain benzylpiperazine (BZP), and illegal ecstasy or MDMA.

Detective Superintendent Win van der Velde, Police National Crime Manager, said: "There is now scientific evidence that the line between illicit drugs and what are deemed as 'legal party pills' is becoming increasingly blurred.

"There have been recent cases where people have been known to take 'party pills' without having any idea of the origins of the pill or ingredients, and, as a consequence, have suffered severe illness."

A man died last week and two others received hospital treatment after allegedly taking "unknown pills" during a night out in Levin.

In another case, a Greymouth man is currently in Christchurch hospital on life support.

Keith Bedford, ESR forensic programme manager, added: "Tests conducted by ESR scientists have quite clearly shown that two of the more common 'ecstasy-type' pills being distributed in the party drug scene contain methamphetamine and MDMA plus other potentially harmful, illicit active ingredients.

"The tests have also revealed pills that contained BZP plus a variety of other ingredients including MDMA and other harmful illicit active ingredients".

Police warned there were heavy penalties for people caught and found guilty of distributing pills containing illegal substances.

Mr van der Velde also issued a warning about the potential health risks of taking pills when they cannot be sure of the substances they contain.

I also believe that marijuana should be legalised, not that I would count as a user of it.