Posts by Ben Austin
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So do any other countries control fireworks quite as much as we do? I've been scanning the papers here and have yet to see the kind of deep, bipartisan coverage we enjoy back home re the issue.
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There was a four page article about the state of Maori (in relation to the terrorism arrests) in one of the many Guardian supplements today. It was sort of interesting to read such an article written by (I assume) someone without any of the emotional buy-in one gets from a domestically written article.
Although the huge A3 colour photo of Tame Iti was rather disturbing.
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Oh and I guess we can be thankful that two of the three biggest MMO markets are rather moralistic countries - can you imagine how much more addictive Warcraft would be to its core 20-40 y.o demographic if gambling or heavily adult content was allowed as well?
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While the average English pub may not have as many pokies as the average NZ pub (from a very unscientific study performed by myself) the England does appear to have a rather high number of betting chains and pokie dens on many a high street (or just off). Especially in comparatively poorer areas. Head outside the tourist/richer parts of town and one will usually see at least 5 (or more) bookies and a couple of pokie dens. I think there is something to be said for making gambling venues either community owned or heavily taxed having seen this.
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Ahh Camden Town - the first time I went there I stopped at a furniture shop and tapped a table to see if it sounded solid. Tapping table tops in Camden is apparently code for "I am in the market for weed" in that part of town.
While this debate about reclassifying weed is going on Richard Brunstrom, Chief Constable of South Wales called for reform of the current system, saying it was unworkable and akin to the US prohibition regime in terms of effectiveness. So at least the debate isn't one sided I guess
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I believe unauthorised use of wifi is a 500 pound fine in England and Wales, due to a slightly obscure 2003 law.
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Oh, and I learnt to touchtype by being addicted to IRC when I was 16...
You and me both Joanna, except I think I was 18 and it was initially research for political studies.
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Why is it that only Nandor and the Greens seem to be able to protect the interests of the vast majority of the digital community?
Surely some other MPs use/know people who use the internet
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The less said about first meals cooked as a student the better. Partially cooked roast chicken/mince surprise still gives me nightmares!
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That was a great story Stephen, although I kind of wonder at why she was revealed so openly. I assume names / identifying data have been changed but still.
Not long before I left NZ I heard about C1, the CCL/private sector cable network, which must be operational by now. It is a good example of local community led fibre substitutes and hopefully is merely the start of a wider network.