The vexed issue of research consent.

This week's JAMA psychiatry summarises the changes in the federal US rules for consent. The US changes its rules slowly. In NZ we have an independent set of ethical review boards, who continually issue guidelines. One vexed issue is that in international collaborations there is a conflct between the local ethical concerns and international guidelines: … Continue reading The vexed issue of research consent.

Judeo-Christianity is Leftist [John 7]

There has been a big debate over the issue of Israel driven by a foolish UN ruling -- where NZ has some culpability. I support the right of Israel to exist. But I don't have illusions about the people of that faith. They are AntiChristian. They have been antiChristian since they nailed Christ to the … Continue reading Judeo-Christianity is Leftist [John 7]

The horrid habit.

New Zealand history has a certain charm. Many skilled generals. An equal number of atrocities. A lack of rules of war. Courageous missionaries, some of whom are saints. Skilled political leaders: works of reconciliation, restoration: defeat, triumph and, finally, a reconciliation as much in the bedroom as any political apology. But there is the horrid … Continue reading The horrid habit.

The zombiod left.

Some mornings things happen that make one somewhat happy in a mocking kind of way. Some mornings the evil and stupidity in the world is obvious, and some times things are obviously going to be punished. Some times things come into the light, and those in power spend their time hiding them. Now, at times … Continue reading The zombiod left.

I hate this post modern syncretic civil religion.

Psalm 135 15  The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 16  They have mouths, but they do not speak; they have eyes, but they do not see; 17  they have ears, but they do not hear, and there is no breath in their mouths. 18  Those who make them and all who … Continue reading I hate this post modern syncretic civil religion.

Abuse and quotage.

I do not like Winston Peters or his populist brand of politics. But I have to agree with Keeping Stock -- at times he says things no one else would say. And this time he is correct. New Zealand First Winston Peters is blaming all Maori for the killing of the Kahui twins.Police have decided … Continue reading Abuse and quotage.

The mortality rate is…

Still 100%. We will all die. This is Spengler's third universal law "Contrary to what you may have heard from the sociologists, the human mortality rate is still 100 percent." Job 12:1, 14:1-22 1Then Job answered: 1"A mortal, born of woman, few of days and full of trouble, 2comes up like a flower and withers, … Continue reading The mortality rate is…