Two CNet editors debates Gate's compassionate corporations: here
and here.
See also The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits.
29 January 2008
Welcome to democracy
It's unfortunate that in the furor surrounding the Exclusive Brethren's participation in the last NZ election that the resounding success of democracy has been ignored. Whilst it is quite correct that the Brethren should have been open about their involvement in the election right from the beginning (and not to be accused of understatement: I agree that lack of clarity about who was behind their efforts, commissioning private detectives to follow key Labour figures etc. was a serious error, unbecoming (and perhaps illegal)).
However, few seem have noticed the resounding success this story holds. I'm no fan of the Brethren and their views. But I 100% support their right to be involved in our democracy. Last election, saw, for the first time in their history perhaps, the Brethren feeling that they too could participate in NZ democracy, albeit not by voting, but at least by speaking up. I'm delighted to see more recently that it looks as though the Brethren may
even vote in the upcoming election. When groups feel they can express their views through the NZ political system that's a great thing - and it makes NZ a stronger, better country. So I'd just like to point out, in the midst of the shadowy fears being created (including some fairly ill-thought comments by some NZ ministers) that despite the mistakes there's a resounding success story to been see of an small group of strange Kiwi's feeling that they too can participate in our democracy. To the Bethren: "Welcome to representational democracy, what took so long?"
(Disclosure: As I noted in the article I do not agree with the way the Exclusive Brethren choose to live or their religious or political views. I formerly attended an open Brethren church (and have many friends from there) - historically both groups come from the original NZ Brethren church although they are not in any way linked now.)
Update 29Jan08: Corrected mis-spelling of Brethren (thanks mother).
However, few seem have noticed the resounding success this story holds. I'm no fan of the Brethren and their views. But I 100% support their right to be involved in our democracy. Last election, saw, for the first time in their history perhaps, the Brethren feeling that they too could participate in NZ democracy, albeit not by voting, but at least by speaking up. I'm delighted to see more recently that it looks as though the Brethren may
even vote in the upcoming election. When groups feel they can express their views through the NZ political system that's a great thing - and it makes NZ a stronger, better country. So I'd just like to point out, in the midst of the shadowy fears being created (including some fairly ill-thought comments by some NZ ministers) that despite the mistakes there's a resounding success story to been see of an small group of strange Kiwi's feeling that they too can participate in our democracy. To the Bethren: "Welcome to representational democracy, what took so long?"
(Disclosure: As I noted in the article I do not agree with the way the Exclusive Brethren choose to live or their religious or political views. I formerly attended an open Brethren church (and have many friends from there) - historically both groups come from the original NZ Brethren church although they are not in any way linked now.)
Update 29Jan08: Corrected mis-spelling of Brethren (thanks mother).
25 January 2008
NZ legislation viewable online
I recently found out that the NZ government has made all NZ legislation viewable in full online. It's strange that it has taken so long - but this is an excellent move. I recall not many years ago, in a dispute with the police, being surprised to learn that the only way I could view legislation was through a proprietary interface at the university library.
If all people are expected to abide by the law, all people ought to have easy access to read the law. I'm very pleased to see that is now that case in NZ.
If all people are expected to abide by the law, all people ought to have easy access to read the law. I'm very pleased to see that is now that case in NZ.
21 January 2008
Hokey pokey
Ingredients:
golden syrup
white sugar
a small to medium-size saucepan
baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
a tablespoon and a teaspoon
a baking tin
Measure two tablespoons of white sugar in a saucepan and add two
tablespoons of golden syrup. Turn the element on about halfway and stir and heat the mixture until it starts to boil. Continue stirring and boiling the mixture for 5 minutes, or until it starts to froth up (whatever to comes first). Then remove it from the heat and add a teaspoon of baking soda. Stir this in quickly till it froths up and then quickly pour or spoon it into your tin. Leave to cool (about 15 minutes) and then enjoy!
(Stolen from my little brother's chemistry schoolbook)
golden syrup
white sugar
a small to medium-size saucepan
baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
a tablespoon and a teaspoon
a baking tin
Measure two tablespoons of white sugar in a saucepan and add two
tablespoons of golden syrup. Turn the element on about halfway and stir and heat the mixture until it starts to boil. Continue stirring and boiling the mixture for 5 minutes, or until it starts to froth up (whatever to comes first). Then remove it from the heat and add a teaspoon of baking soda. Stir this in quickly till it froths up and then quickly pour or spoon it into your tin. Leave to cool (about 15 minutes) and then enjoy!
(Stolen from my little brother's chemistry schoolbook)
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