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J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-Earth novels exemplify the principles of Just War through the action of his noblest characters. · Too many pundits, politicians, and priests nowadays treat war as a relic of a barbaric past. In foreign affairs, American presidents appear more interested in the short-term need to be seen “doing something” than in pursuing and articulating a coherent strategy for victory. · Such ambivalence about war is very much the…

Since humanism has been the core of the Western tradition through the centuries, the emergence of anti-humanism and post-humanism represents an inflection point of our civilizational crisis. In confronting this crisis, conservative humanism aims not to erase the positive achievements of modern humanism, but to graft them back onto their roots where they can draw vitality from life-giving tradition. · Is humanity coming to an end? Is the great…

Recently, The Conversation ran an article which claimed to “debunk” a range of myths about antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). · Natalina Salmaso, a clinical psychologist at Carleton University in Canada, highlighted five common myths that make people hesitant to take antidepressants. · Salmaso said hesitancy is often “unfounded” and “may not be grounded in science” and that “debunking the myths surrounding…

Maori Land – Right of First Refusal · Tainui have begun to make another push towards getting recognition for their claim for the “Right of First Refusal” as set out in the document produced by Tainui back in 2015. · There seems to be many Iwi members making the claim that there was something untoward in the fact that Maori have ended up with only 6 percent of the land in New Zealand under Maori title. · So in relation to this claim let’s…

Jack Lovelock won New Zealand’s first Olympic athletics gold medal at the 1936 Berlin Olympics in a race witnessed by 120,000 spectators – including Adolf Hitler. · Before the games, Lovelock thought about competing in the 5000 m instead of the 1500 m. Team manager Arthur Porritt may have made the final choice. · The field for the 1500-m final included many of the top middle-distance runners against whom Lovelock had competed over the years. He…

Beef Stew with Dumplings is a hearty stew loaded with tender beef, vegetables, and a flavorful broth with large, plump homemade dumplings. It is the perfect comfort food based on my Crock Pot Beef Stew. One of those dishes that becomes an instant classic in your house! You could also make this stew with dumplings made in a slow cooker. · Ingredients · ▢ 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil · ▢ 1 ½ pounds chuck roast, cut into cubes · …

Immigration is one the biggest issues facing Europe. It strikes at the core of contemporary European democracies, triggering public sensitivities. · It was one of the top issues at June’s European election where voter attitudes towards immigration dictated the various parties’ policies and revealed the discomfort in tackling an electorally sensitive and highly exploitable issue. · The “Integration of immigrants in the European Union” report by…

Enjoy this easy stew made with gammon and plenty of veg – it’s full of  goodness, delivering four of your five-a-day, and can also be cooked in a slow cooker · Ingredients · Ingredients · - 600g gammon - 1 tbsp vegetable oil - 2 onions, roughly chopped - 2 carrots, chopped - 1 celery stick, chopped - 2 peppers, deseeded and chopped - 3 garlic cloves, crushed - 1 tbsp tomato purée - 2 tsp smoked paprika - ½ tsp chilli powder…

Partnership – Dream · Yes it seems to be a dream of many of the so-called IWI elite to have it recognised that the Treaty of Waitangi created a partnership between the Crown and Maori. · But unfortunately for them it is nothing more than a bad dream or to put it another way a nightmare! · The Treaty itself has only three articles and nowhere in any of them does it mention a partnership. It is simply a contract signed by many that ceded…

ChatGPT is mediocre at diagnosing medical conditions, getting it right only 49% of the time, according to a new study. The researchers say their findings show that AI shouldn’t be the sole source of medical information and highlight the importance of maintaining the human element in healthcare. · The convenience of access to online technology has meant that some people bypass seeing a medical professional, choosing to google their symptoms…