Safez

It wouldn't taste like your favourite blend anymore and you'd be left feeling dissatisfied! sounds like me and you need to have the same goal man, giving up, as quoted by a certain member here, "those industrial waste flavoured sticks" ;)

I think you may have missed the point. Before you pull out the moral sword, this video (and subsequent thread) seems to be primarily focusing on the taxman, the biggest thief of all. It's also looks to address some interesting issues. For example, that fiat currency has no value until it is given value by a banker. Also that the laws/processes being shown here seem to be well and truly out of date and aren't keeping up with the times. A comparison or example would be our privacy laws; there is no law against someone standing out on the street with a high megapixel camera and taking pictures of you and your family from the foot path. Once again. People seem to be taking offence to hypothetical examples rather than addressing or adding constructive feedback to the questions being asked by them. I ran into much the same problem in another thread here on SAB. People seem incapable of seeing past the black and white of things. Poor form folks, I would have expected a little more open mindedness and creative response to what I've been seeing.

So does anyone else have an opinion on this subject?

This has been known since the 70's and has become even more well known in the last decade. Not exactly new information Surprised to see people unaware of it.

Again, not sure I'm quite grasping this. Is this a possible example of this trick in action...? Your credit card provider sends you your monthly/60 day whatever statement as they do. Again, a statement, so from what I gather, not relevant to this. You contact a finance company, find out how they bill you etc and learn they send you paper copies of your outstanding balance as a bill each month. You borrow X dollars from finance company and pay off credit cards. Use this accepted for payment trick with the finance company. ... Profit?

Considering the report copypasta you obviously feel is fact as your provoking me to "prove it wrong", as if I had indeed dismissed the report(which I hadnt, as I'm questioning science not the observations made, which may be true); they technically haven't been proven either, as they are simply "observations" and "models". Therefore your response is rather ignorant considering the high level of respect that members have had for each others opinion to this point. I wish no further debate with you on this subject. I will not post here again.

I think that is what he plans on testing Qualia

I am not questioning your examples here folks, and I feel your getting defensive because in your opinion, climate change is fact. Sure it may be fact, however is it going to cause a man made extinction event or be the cause of massive irreparable damage to the planet? . I am aware of that. It was yourself that formulated that opinion hence why I mentioned to not get taken off topic .I question the science behind the examples being quoted here. When they use phrases like "conservative assumptions", "generalised linear models" "observed regional warming" I raise my eyebrow. Again it comes down to time frames, even this climate modelling This trends data that, on a scale such as the history of the earth, is less than the blink of an eye? Not to mention, this is based on "best and worst case scenarios" that are modelled; meaning they are based on a persons interpretation of data based on someone elses interpretations.So this group says that 13.54% will be saved out a 99.97% loss in habitat if their CO2 emission scenario is implemented. That would leave 86.43% habitat loss. So they managed to save 13% of a species habitat. That's not exactly big numbers... Why do they not provide modelling for any longer periods of time? It's simple, because there are too many variables to quantify, there is too many variables to be trying to make scientific opinions and fact from a study over the period of 100 years. I think humans are causing a huge disparity in the food chain and causing a lot of environmental stress, I just think we need to have less focus on global warming causing chaos and "mass extinctions" and focus more on protection of our natural resources and a reduction in environmental pollution. Which yes, will cause a drop in emissions for all of those worried about climate change.

So, let me get this straight. If a company sends you a bill, they've created a liability for which they must provide remedy? How does that work? You are paying for a service? Is it because they are sending you a copy of the bill with no wet signatures? So at that point, as a banker, you accept it for payment and in turn charge the company who sent you it as it now has monetary value as you have accepted it for value At which point you make payable the money they have been legally forced to send you...? That cant be right... Does that mean for example that if the company I contract to re roof my house sends me a bill rather than an account statement and doesnt hand deliver the original copy of that bill to me with wet blue signatures... I can accept for payment the copy of the bill they have sent me forcing them to send me the money for the bill which I subsequently return to them as payment?

This isn't climate change, it's environmental pollution by manmade actions, let's not confuse or compare this. Environmental pollution would seem to be much more significant than "a degree or two of warming" Could you be more specific? and by who's authority or 'scientific finding' are these trees being eradicated due to climate change? Also, lets put things into perspective here for a moment before people start screaming think of trees! or We need our trees for carbon capture to reverse this climate change! The biggest carbon sink on the planet is the worlds oceans. That is because the oceans of the world cover around 97% of it. Terrestrial plants provide atmospheric oxygen through their respiration and yes, do provide some carbon capture. However it's a fraction of the amount. Again, I'm not "having a dig" at anyone's opinion on this subject so don't be offended if my writing style comes across that way. Although I really shouldn't have to say that, because if people do take it personal, they're likely not worth talking to about the issue anyway.

Not sure if this was mentioned on page two but one such example of a substance that is buried to potentate its effects is Nu Nu. Discuss.

Seems to run parallel or even potentate the theory that we evolved from clay.

What, in QLD? You sure? didnt rain that much here you Lucky ducks

EDIT - Deleted double posts -_-

I think the term 'denier' runs in the same parallel as 'alarmist'. It's a broad categorization that seems to try and lump people into two categories, forcing them to a black and white opinion on the subject. This is something I don't like to see as it's pretentious and really, shows the narrow mindedness of some people. . Sure, this may be the case but what about the permian, triassic and jurassic periods that followed? The age of the dinosaurs. Some of the largest creatures to inhabit the earth. Scientific inquiry has us believe that atmospheric concentrations of Co2 and global temperature in general was higher than it is today.Was the Earth indeed warmer during this period? Ok. So could it not become warmer again as part of it's regular cycles or is the temperature trends we are observing in our very recent history the cause of the Earth playing "catch up" looking to return to these levels? Possibly due to an collision with an interstellar body that caused climate change on a scale that is orders of magnitude greater than the emissions of all mankind in the short period of our industrial revolution? Let's remember the debate here is whether the planet is warming/cooling as a result of man made emissions. It's not a debate on mankinds pollution of the environment. That has been more than demonstrated (acid mine drainage, offshore oil spills, deforestation, etc). Man made extinction event? Perhaps. Could also be that it's not possible to make such a broad statement such as this because of the period of time being measured. I'm still interested to know how our climate change scientist arrived at the decision that the earth has gained X degree of global temperature rise/fall over pre industrial levels... How long have they been monitoring atmospheric concentrations of particles in our atmosphere and the global temperature of the earth? They'd be forced to make a judgement call based on scientific enquiry and mathematical guesswork. Now one could argue that the science is solid, however someone else could argue that scientific opinion is based on general consensus and hasn't always proven to be the correct answer to some pretty fundamental opinions on our existence (eg: The world being flat. The sun revolving around the earth, General Relativity, The standard model of particle physics, etc) I think there is no question or debate that mankind needs to curb it's use of non renewables and reduce emissions from an environmental point of view. Whether those emissions will have any kind of bearing, to the point of causing temperature changes that will have a calamitous effect on life as we know it, is yet to be determined. I'm of the opinion we will fuck our landmasses and oceans to the point of non-sustainability through other means before atmospheric disparity and temperature increase/decrease can affect us. Those "other means" as I've so broadly termed it may indeed be a causative agent in that atmospheric disparity and temp increase/decrease but I think it's too early to say that climate change will be the number one cause of our demise or "mass extinction event" Out of curiousity, what is the main concern of those who believe in global warming/cooling? Is it fear that if the temperature increases/decreases we will be unable to sustain food crops and we will have to deal with rising sea levels?

Both valid points, I must ask though, as the atmosphere of the earth is not really a constant, even body and is constantly in flux; Is there a possibility that these kind of reasonably high emissions haven't existed in the vast history of the Earth and we are reading the warning signs incorrectly. For example. A lot of the world used to be covered in megaflora and fauna. Can you imagine a wildfire that wipes out an area of vegetation the size of say California, combined with the usually reported high volcanic and tectonic plate action sending mass amounts of emissions into the atmosphere? Yet Earth has still managed to maintain life to this point. I think what we should be more concerned about is environmental pollution caused by irresponsible companies peddling non renewables to the masses. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico being one example.

Hey guys, can you help identify this for me? http://www.shaman-australis.com/forum/uploads_gallery/gallery/album_554/gallery_11647_554_994021.jpg this photo is a pic of her in really bad shape. I have fresh cuttings growing now and will take some pics next time it flowers. It's has no spines. This plant is about 50 years old. (not sure about the growth you are actually seeing though)

Such a heated debate here! I like! Of all the back and forth arguments I'm seeing here, only a small percentage of them deal with or make comparison in any sort of definitive time period. Global warming/cooling is something that is generally measured in hundreds even thousands of years? Talk of "ice ages" for example. An "age" would be a significant period of time. Then there is people arguing apparent temperature rises and emissions increases over the period of the "industrial revolution". Now in retrospect to the aforementioned "ages"; being massive changes in our global state, the industrial revolution has lasted for a blink of an eye. Now, considering that we have to make logical inferences on previous changes in the earths climate through scientific inquiry and mathematical guess work (that could prove fallacious in years to come) and had no accurate measuring tools for measuring mean ocean temperatures, atmospheric concentrations of varying substances, etc, etc until very recently... How can we make such broad assumptions, for example the worlds temperatures are rising/cooling because of X reason? Is it possible that this variation is simply an anomaly in measurement, or in the earths natural cycle? Or does it lack relevance because it is only measuring changes of such a small period of time? I digress. I think the insatiable need for profit from exploiting such an abundant energy source as fossil fuels is incredibly wasteful and short sighted. It has stymied/suppressed research into utilising some of the most obvious of energy sources that power our planet, for example Solar/thermal and tidal forces. That of course is another topic entirely and I'm yet to have an opinion on whether or not use of non renewables such as fossil fuels post industrial revolution is having an impact on the planet. Has had an impact on society, sure. Made an impact on the overall state of the planet? Undetermined. Also why would any civilisation build an existence that is reliant on a non renewable resource anyway?

Thanks all. It looks like a dragonfruit but it hasnt actually beared fruit. Same flat "branches". root system, etc It said on the unreliable wikipedia that epi's take up two years to flower... I'll have to keep a log now but I'm fair certain these dont take anywhere near that long

Hello all, Had an interesting experience the other day, not sure if there is any breach of policy here. Applied for some casual work and after an excellent interview and subsequent work trial (comments including an exhuberant "can you start right now" and praise after the work trial itself) I was offered a position with the company and given a shift the next day. When offered the position I was asked to come in and grab an employment pack and fill out some "payroll questions". This was a pressing issue and was insisted I complete this work before I start my shift the next day. The place has an enterprise bargaining agreement in place (They presented me with an out of date copy, dicks) of which, one of the conditions was a difference in overtime rates; what they called Voluntary and Demand with a difference of a bout 5-7 dollars respectively. These overtime rates include weekend work, public holidays and also an agreement to work through paid meal breaks. (inability to leave the facility at all while on shift) Upon informing the manager I intended to request the demand rate (a voluntary choice) this persons entire attitude changed and begin being told it will affect my employment if I dont choose the voluntary option etc. I decide to stick to my guns and dont agree to their voluntary rate and choose "no" to the answers on their paperwork. Everything is signed, at this point I need to return bank paperwork and that's about it. I get a phone call two hours later informing that "things aren't working out" and "we aren't off to a good start" and that I will not be required to work my shift nor be required for any subsequent employment. I'm lead to believe here that their reason for not hiring me was not based on anything other than the fact I refused to give their answers to voluntary/employee choice questions... Which doesn't seem like a fair/legal/justifiable reason to me. Particularly when I am overqualified for the position regardless. Thoughts?

They are really old plants. Also, why would someone hybridise something that imo made the flowers less attractive... then plant over a dozen of them? The temperature, humidity etc requirements appear to be the same, so I cant see them crossing it for that reason... and it also has very few natural pests? Intrigued

I went outside in the hopes I might see some flowers and just my luck! One lonely flower (generally they flower in mass.) First pick is a look at one of my cuttings. Probably 3+ months growth. Broke off a piece from one of the dying mother plants and put it straight in the garden. The area they are in is incredibly dry and gets heavy afternoon sun. Apart from a little designer dirt, some vermiculite and pearlite the soil is nothing more than dusty sand really. It doesnt hold moisture well and sort of turns to this sticky clay mush when its wet. I'm currently trying to re mediate the soil with a whole lot of lawn mulch and other assorted garden clippings. They generally go ok with very little water but that is an area with a lot more shade. Now they're in half day or more sun their water needs have turned almost daily.

looks too spiky Also the flowers are simple and white.

My colour is washed out not only due to the flowering (which I've let go waay to far as you can see) but also because this thing gets full sun. New growth is definitely more vibrant. It is a very basic colour pattern though... could be a good sign activity wise? has anyone tried co administering this plant with an MAOI?

16:56ish - "it doesnt cost more to manufacture heroin, marijuana and cocaine than it does alcohol or tobacco. That if tomorrow you could buy heroin, cocaine and marijuana at your corner store and you could only get alcohol or tobacco on the black market then all of a sudden you would see less people committing crimes to feed their C,H,M habits and lots of people would be committing crimes to feed their tobacco and alcohol habits" Discuss... I dont believe this to be true. Does this statement reflect the governments real reason for the war on drugs and subsequently explains prohibition as well? That by controlling two substances, one with an extremely high addiction quality (apparently nicotine addiction cessation without relapse is harder to achieve than heroin addiction) and one that is thrust upon us as a ritual tool for social interaction in almost all facets of our free time; that they can continue to make claim that maintaining law and taxation on the sale of alcohol and tobacco products far outweighs the benefits/risk of taxing/decriminalising/regulating even some of our beloved herbs? That seems pretty short sighted to me. I cant think of too many smokers that if they had a choice, wouldn't gladly give up tobacco in favour of herbal blends. But of course our herbs are under threat from a different foe at the same time, the bulldog of big pharma, the TGA. The first half of the video isnt overly objective. They seem to focus on lower class communities almost as far as racial stereotyping to some degree, and the institutionalised (prison etc) rather than the working/middle class that are managing families, jobs, lives whilst wanting an alternative to what is thrust upon us by mass media, advertising and the government. it's hard to believe these misconceptions on drug use have existed for so long into the present day. Once people have the courage/curiousness to research and experiment for themselves and find these statements about illegal drugs to have been incredibly overstated. How do they continue to maintain control? 230 million drug users? How exactly did they arrive at that figure? That number is grossly understated imo. Portugal...? Sounds promising. intercept users and have them screened. some people cannot handle spirits but can smoke till they pass out. other cant handle their smoke but can drink like a Pole... Augh, so backwards these days. "What are addicts, our children. People we want to bring back into a normal life" - How does one quantify a "normal" life? "economist predicts up to 76 billion dollars injected into the U.S economy alone" - They talk about huge "criminal" supply and trafficking networks for that support the illegal estimated $320 billion illegal drug trade... Let's digress for a moment. They speak of these organisations as criminal and using violence as their main trade tool. Again, not very objective; does our government not deal with illegal/shady organisations on a daily basis in the energy sector? Middle Eastern "debutantes" with iron fist rules over their kingdoms are committing in some cases "crimes against humanity" in their native countries and yet our governments continue to allow trade of non renewables with these places. If these "criminal organisations" controlling the "illegal" drug trade were able to trade legit with taxes, repercussions, etc within the confines of civil law I am a firm believer the violence would cease. I picture the equivalent to "micro-breweries" popping up. Stores that sell their own specialities. Massive boosts to trade and commerce with a potential for a more green focused global outlook. "anti tobacco advertising and regulation has been successful and they have reduced usage by over 50% over a generation" - imo this wasnt on behalf of any government sponsored campaign. The reduction (if such a study exists that isnt sponsored by a tobacco company or the government or the UN) was due to an increase in public knowledge of the effects over time much like asbestos. To call it a success is insulting. If anything anti tobacco campaigns are more effective at encouraging minors to smoke than movies, video games, peer pressure. "When a drug is really dangerous, smart education and smart regulation can reduce use very substantially" - Again the program is focusing too much on the "mainstream" and not enough on drug use as a whole. It's almost inciting people to choose a black and white stand on the findings. "its hard for governments to not be conservative in drug policy, they are afraid for votes, they dont want to innovate" - Does this not say it all? I'm just chewing the fat here welcoming comment on my though processes on these topics so please dont read these at something I believe as gospel. Please post your thoughts! They can talk about changing policy all they like. Without a globally focused movement any major reform is going to fail. When we have an institution to police the affairs of every country what hope is there of that?