function hasPermission($permissions, $user_id=null, $allow_master_user=true) {
    global $user;
    $db = DB::getInstance();

  // decide which user_id we're working on
    if (!$user_id)
        $user_id = $user->data()->id; // self

    //Grant access if master user
    if ($allow_master_user && $user_id == 1)
        return true;

    foreach((array)$permissions as $perm){
        echo "DEBUG: Looking for user_id=$user_id and perm=$perm<br />\n";
        $query = $db->query("SELECT id FROM user_permission_matches  WHERE user_id = ? AND permission_id = ?",array($user_id,$perm));
        if ($query->count() > 0) {
            echo "DEBUG: count=".$query->count()."<br />\n";
            return true;
        }
    }
    return false;
}