Cracker by Damian Christie

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Cracker: P is for Politics.

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  • chris,

    firearms vs 70 million possums *is* a knife to a gunfight. Hypothetically Islander, if the scientists developed diseases to wipe these vermin off the face of New Zealand*, would that decrease the chances of the rioting?


    *before the whanau brutally slays them all with guns and knives;)

    Mawkland • Since Jan 2010 • 1302 posts Report

  • Islander,

    I am not trying to answer on Lucy Stewart's behalf but WTF? Showing respect to 'the police' is not engrained in the ANZ character - and whenever was she not?

    Wild pigs are here to stay*, chris, and the more we can do to eradicate them, the better it is for our native bird, invertebrate, and some plant populations.

    *They were introduced, as you doubtless know, by an English sea captain. They are a wiley & intelligent beast & I have a great deal of respect for them. BUT - they do not belong here! They will all, eventually, be dead & gone.

    I dont know of any peoples who've ever hunted pigs with bow&arrows*: it's all been spears(and bloody big ones! One of my -aue! dead- friends sent me a boar-spear that her family had used anciently in Switzerland: the blade, beautifully sharp, measures *20 inches*! The shaft, decayed now, was over 8 foot long-)

    *depends on the size of the pigs of course, and where they are located. I know about peccary- I'm interested (but not hugely) to know more-

    disclaimer: I like pigs. I think they are intelligent & interesting creatures. I dont eat them now.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Islander,

    chris- I am all in favour of some disease or genetic vector that would *destroy* possums within ANZ. Yes, it would reduce chances of local/country-wide rioting against the restriction of fire-arms. And no, it wouldnt stop the extremely active local movement against - for instance - the aerial dropping of 1080 poison.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • chris,

    I am not trying to answer on Lucy Stewart's behalf but WTF? Showing respect to 'the police' is not engrained in the ANZ character - and whenever was she not?

    It was a dirty pun...silly as always. Once again, it's a pleasure to read your take on things. You're woven of a formidable earthy fabric.

    Mawkland • Since Jan 2010 • 1302 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Well, I'm a Fire Pig in one astrological take - but a Fish, coming from earlier generations of Fish matriarchs in another - heh! So much for astrology.

    Sweet dreams - I'm headed for bed, but am happy to address issues raised - later -mihi koa mai na-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Actually the missus has just reminded me that we know two more P heads. Who are also really into their conspiracies.

    Shit, you do know a lot of them. I can imagine the parties, groups hanging out in the basement.
    Now you've convinced me,(I believe you could be an expert) I hope you say the same to them :)

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Stewart,

    @Islander - I have a book on pigs by Lyall Watson (I think that's the right name...) - well worth reading.

    Te Ika A Maui - Whakatane… • Since Oct 2008 • 577 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    I do have to wonder how much of the whacky conspiracy nuttiness famous in P-heads is more a product of selection than the drug itself. If you are into something that is highly illegal, involves dealing with gangsters on a regular basis, and is increasingly vilified by society, you're probably self selected from a highly paranoid subset of society.

    The biggest P-head I know was already a nut before he tried any drugs (I remember him as a sweet and extremely athletic 13 year old). He had also been tried on Ritalin as a child due to ADHD. I've known him for 25 years, and I've never seen him nut off on P (although he does say that it did make him do things he regrets), but I have seen him nut off stone cold sober in extremely alarming ways if rarked up.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Stewart - ahh! That'd be "The Whole Hog." Which I have, and enjoy - it is indeed well worth the reading.

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Rich of Observationz,

    a new shop at my local mall is dedicated to
    swords and knives

    There's a shop here in welllington sells Rotary Lawnmowers and its a short distance from a video store that carries Brain Dead.

    Won't somebody think of the zombies!

    Back in Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 5550 posts Report

  • Jonathan Ganley,

    Maybe their brains are simply far more open because of their prolonged exposure to methamphetamine. Or maybe they've fried their bullshit meter.

    "You know, some people got no choice
    And they can never find a voice
    To talk with that they can even call their own
    So the first thing that they see
    That allows them the right to be
    Why they follow it, you know, it's called ... bad luck"

    Since Dec 2006 • 234 posts Report

  • Stewart,

    "The Whole Hog" it is, indeed. Lovely book.

    Te Ika A Maui - Whakatane… • Since Oct 2008 • 577 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Lyall Watson is often dismissed as a weirdo mystic but he was actually a true polymath. He does get some things wrong in "The Whole Hog" - I see I have boomarked p.127 over his claim of cloning pigs in 1971-
    but his description of play interactions with Salsa ( a peccary) are both insightful and nourishing for both our species-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Islander,

    Actually, the more I think about it - "The Whole Hog" should be *compulsory reading for all members of the ANZ Pork Board" - who, in public statements come across as lesser animals than the ones they purport to farm.

    I could make some cheap jibe about 'if they can read of course' but I am a nice Fire Pig-

    Big O, Mahitahi, Te Wahi … • Since Feb 2007 • 5643 posts Report

  • Jeremy Eade,

    Kmart this week have a special on pig killers, i'm getting 4.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report

  • Jeremy Eade,

    also I think I see what Damian wants ,at least as a prerequisite for a candidate, the ability to divide day with night.

    Because after all thats the core problem with p is the new magic world of looooooooooooooong days. I'm totally guessing.I'm clean, I was raised a baptist of course so i only fantasize about booze.

    auckland • Since Mar 2008 • 1112 posts Report

  • Seka,

    Statistics clearly show that Alcohol is the number one drug problem in New Zealand, not methamphetamine.

    How many people go through the court system every day for alcohol related crimes? A lot more than methamphetamine related crimes for one.

    Not to say that methamphetamine isn't a problem - Perhaps if we're speaking illegal drugs only then meth would be number 1.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2010 • 8 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    Not to say that methamphetamine isn't a problem - Perhaps if we're speaking illegal drugs only then meth would be number 1.

    Doubt it.Number 1 would be Cannabis after alcohol. Cannabis by far disrupts our courts (if that's what you mean). So many petty appearances for a joint or whatever the cops can conjour up( value is often misguided to say the least).The Court is where they produce stats about busts/crime. I know of quite a few bullshit cases gone before the courts. Quantities is often an issue, in that it is not accurate.Quantities reveals severity, i.e it must be bad.. Without the "evil"weed, what's a cop gonna do?Maybe the important stuff for a start.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    The Drug Foundation has some useful info on methamphetamine, based on surveys of "frequent users":

    55 percent of frequent methamphetamine users reported harm in the areas of 'health' and 'friendship and social life'

    21 percent of frequent users reported suicidal thoughts and 13 percent made 'suicide attempts' after using methamphetamine

    about half of frequent users reported no difficulties with their use, nor with their ability to stop or go without.

    two thirds of frequent methamphetamine users were male, with a media age of 28 years

    two thirds were European, with 26 percent Maori

    half were employed

    31 percent had injected in the previous six months

    73 percent had 'binged' in the previous six months, using the drug continuously for more than 48 hours

    52 percent said methamphetamine was "very easy" to get

    17 percent said they could source methamphetamine in less than 20 minutes.

    21% having suicidal thoughts kinda jumps out, along with 31% injecting.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    along with 31% injecting.

    That must be looking for the high that was. Injecting, moving straight through the blood stream is pretty fast no? Can't get much faster, so must be a recommendation by the frequent flyers.
    That's when you see people turning all jelly like, literally wobbly. Ye gads!

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    I had a mate in Ozzie who said he'd injected it, and it was a huge rush, you get the entire quantity over a few seconds - even faster than 'smoking' it, which is pretty damned fast, can be all over in a minute, if you go at it with gay abandon. He said it felt like your heart would burst for 20-30 seconds, then it was just an insanely rushy feeling. He also said it was a stupid thing to do, a chapter of his life he'd rather not remember. He was a pretty nutty guy even still, and a total drunk and chain smoker. He prefers that now, obviously. A classic high functioning addict - he was not just good at his work, he was brilliant. But everyone knew he was a drunk and a nut. He got away with it by being a funny nut, and more importantly by being able to fix anything, anytime, or die trying.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    I had a mate in Ozzie who said he'd injected it, and it was a huge rush, you get the entire quantity over a few seconds - even faster than 'smoking' it, which is pretty damned fast, can be all over in a minute, if you go at it with gay abandon. He said it felt like your heart would burst for 20-30 seconds, then it was just an insanely rushy feeling.

    My junkie neighbour told me he didn't like anyone else touching him or even coming near him for a minute or so after he'd banged up meth. He's dead now, actually.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • BenWilson,

    Not surprised. Injecting it is for the most hardcore junkie, the least concerned about one's health and safety.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report

  • chris,

    Fascinating stats Russell, It's good to know this stuff. I'm often a bit skeptical about these kinds of stats in that they either seem to demonize the substance but not those who use it, or in this case demonize the users rather than demonizing the irresponsible users. However there's a reasonable amount of food for thought in some of those numbers. Namely that group who have binged for more than 48 hours in the past 6 months but have no difficulty stopping or going without. It'd be nice to see that 50%(-) tested more comprehensively. That's a high proportion who seem to have it under control, considering the hype it gets.

    Mawkland • Since Jan 2010 • 1302 posts Report

  • chris,

    I doubt similar stats for alcohol use would differ greatly. Not enough is discussed of the long term psychological and neurological side effects of alcohol use. Because everyone's on it. That icy cool beer, a beverage, sipped and enjoyed in the scorching sun on a baking wooden vernadah overlooking a lawn and a bbq and a shed,





























    causes memory loss.

    Mawkland • Since Jan 2010 • 1302 posts Report

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