Gary, what you write about Iran and the present military conflict is largely fanciful.
Both the US and isr__l have been planning exactly this conflict for 30+ years. The leaders of both countries have signalled exactly this, time and time again.
Consequently we really shouldn't put any credence on the anti-Iranian propaganda that we have been fed, which is of course intended for the purpose of controlling our minds to rally behind their aggressive, unjustified and illegal actions.
Therefore, the parallels that you draw about 'free thought' and 'democracy' are speculative, at best....
Gary, you talk common sense. Our politicians have lost theirs. National particularly are lost in their "reading the room". Why is the most pressing question they need to answer.
If only previous National voters would recognise that NZFIRST is the only party with the courage and the know-how to start fixing this. We can cry about all kinds of issues at election time, but if we don't treat the preservation of our democracy as the highest priority then all the other issues will simply fade into insignificance in the face of the corrupted Theocracy we seem to be slowly edging towards. Very good piece of writing Gary.
Where has the UN been, as the Iranian situation evolved, from bad to worse, and then worse again?
Did they have anything to say when Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, died on September 16, 2022, in Tehran after being arrested by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating hijab rules?
Did you see the UN are now promoting last Sunday as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia?
I think Trump was right that they're passed their use-by date!
Yet NZ still contributes funding.....
Sadly, I don't think enough (esp the young) people understand or appreciate the difference between Churchill Vs Chamberlain.
I have asked many friends - some of my advancing age - which they would prefer. It is sad that those who say 'I don't know who Chamberlain is, but him anyway because Churchill is a c**t' is a common answer. Most young people just say shit (obvs).
Human rights are given and allowed by Governmnets.
The US has a freedom of speech right given by the first amendment.
Other countries do not give that right.
Check the current situation in UK about freedom of speech.
Nz has a rather toothless IMHO
Bill of Rights Act 1990 (NZBORA) guarantees the right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive, and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form.
So all those Kiwis who wanted alternative information to the Governmnet during Covid.
Were de registered, (Doctors) debarred or fired for not bowing to Governmnets rules & regulations.
Human rights IMHO is a rort used by some to further their arguments when all else fails.
nevertheless Roy, "human rights" is what we must aspire to, if we don't want to end up under a dictatorship.
It frustrates me that so many people seem to be prepared to put up with the creeping intrusion that represents an undermining of our democratic rights, along with the justice system, if you take the current case of the guy (and helpers) who desecrated a treaty poster in the national museum
Well spoken. Unfortuantely 80 years of realitive peace 'in our time' has created a false perception of what it takes to defend our freedoms. In addition we have Universities and (sadly) schools who want to teach the evils of western civlisation. To engage in self hatred is a luxury we cannot afford. Politicians and civic leaders who grasp this are few and far between.
Gary, what you write about Iran and the present military conflict is largely fanciful.
Both the US and isr__l have been planning exactly this conflict for 30+ years. The leaders of both countries have signalled exactly this, time and time again.
Consequently we really shouldn't put any credence on the anti-Iranian propaganda that we have been fed, which is of course intended for the purpose of controlling our minds to rally behind their aggressive, unjustified and illegal actions.
Therefore, the parallels that you draw about 'free thought' and 'democracy' are speculative, at best....
Gary, you talk common sense. Our politicians have lost theirs. National particularly are lost in their "reading the room". Why is the most pressing question they need to answer.
If only previous National voters would recognise that NZFIRST is the only party with the courage and the know-how to start fixing this. We can cry about all kinds of issues at election time, but if we don't treat the preservation of our democracy as the highest priority then all the other issues will simply fade into insignificance in the face of the corrupted Theocracy we seem to be slowly edging towards. Very good piece of writing Gary.
100%, thanks Gary
Where has the UN been, as the Iranian situation evolved, from bad to worse, and then worse again?
Did they have anything to say when Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, died on September 16, 2022, in Tehran after being arrested by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating hijab rules?
Did you see the UN are now promoting last Sunday as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia?
I think Trump was right that they're passed their use-by date!
Yet NZ still contributes funding.....
Sadly, I don't think enough (esp the young) people understand or appreciate the difference between Churchill Vs Chamberlain.
National taking a stand requires their leader to have a spine. He doesn’t.
Luxon was very disappointing his election campaign was one big fat lie
Rather Churchill than Chamberlain.
I have asked many friends - some of my advancing age - which they would prefer. It is sad that those who say 'I don't know who Chamberlain is, but him anyway because Churchill is a c**t' is a common answer. Most young people just say shit (obvs).
Very well said Gary, I'm starting to wonder if National under Luxon is a lost cause
My only comment is the use of ""human rights""
There is no such thing universally IMHO.
Human rights are given and allowed by Governmnets.
The US has a freedom of speech right given by the first amendment.
Other countries do not give that right.
Check the current situation in UK about freedom of speech.
Nz has a rather toothless IMHO
Bill of Rights Act 1990 (NZBORA) guarantees the right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek, receive, and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form.
So all those Kiwis who wanted alternative information to the Governmnet during Covid.
Were de registered, (Doctors) debarred or fired for not bowing to Governmnets rules & regulations.
Human rights IMHO is a rort used by some to further their arguments when all else fails.
nevertheless Roy, "human rights" is what we must aspire to, if we don't want to end up under a dictatorship.
It frustrates me that so many people seem to be prepared to put up with the creeping intrusion that represents an undermining of our democratic rights, along with the justice system, if you take the current case of the guy (and helpers) who desecrated a treaty poster in the national museum
My Point Noel, is that there no such thing as Human rights!!
And further along. What is a Human right??? Tht you think we should aspire to?
add to taht what you thinka democratic right is?
The right to vote?
What else?
The creeping intrsion is already hapenning in Democracies across the world.
Freedom of speech is under direct attack.
Well spoken. Unfortuantely 80 years of realitive peace 'in our time' has created a false perception of what it takes to defend our freedoms. In addition we have Universities and (sadly) schools who want to teach the evils of western civlisation. To engage in self hatred is a luxury we cannot afford. Politicians and civic leaders who grasp this are few and far between.