thedailyblog--2020-08-28--SPECIAL REPORT: The Sentencing of a ‘Human Shell’

Special Report by Selwyn Manning .
A German language version of this report was published by Cicero.de magazine in Germany .
Caution : This report contains detail that could be disturbing to many people .
AT WHAT POINT in time does an atrocity have a beginning ?
Is it when the first gunshot is fired ?
When the first victim is killed ?
When a killer first submits to thoughts of hatred , alienation , blame and decides to apply those emotions into physical action ?
Or , is it when racism is justified , when killing is considered defensible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associate with , to support , to impress ?
Is it when one subscribes to another ’ s ideology of hate ?
Or when silence is a protector – chosen by reasonable people – when those around us speak of inhuman things ?
‘ Ok lads , enough talking , it ’ s time for action.
’ With those words , early on March 15 , 2019 , and expressed to his dark-net acquaintances , Brenton Harrison Tarrant initiated his plan to murder as many people of the Muslim faith as was possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his vehicle , including : two military-styled assault rifles ( AR-15 .223 calibre ) and semi-automatic shotguns .
He added 7000 rounds of ammunition , a bayonet-styled knife , and four IEDs ( improvised explosive devices ) .
Wrapped within a bulletproof-vest he reversed from the driveway of his rented Dunedin home and self-drove 361 kilometres northward to New Zealand ’ s largest South Island city , Christchurch .
Christchurch is known for its gardens , parks , sport , English-Victorian-styled architecture , earthquakes , parochialism , a modest inter-faith Muslim community ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gangs .
Two months earlier , in January 2019 , Tarrant visited Christchurch .
The purpose : reconnaissance of Al Noor Mosque – a place of prayer and worship for hundreds of the city ’ s Muslim people .
In January , Tarrant parked his vehicle adjacent to Al Noor Mosque , unpacked a drone and flew it above and over the facility .
He recorded an aerial view video of the grounds , noting points of entry , exits , corridors where people could escape , where they could hide .
Tarrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday prayers .
He decided Al Noor was the location , and , Friday was to be the day of the week which provided him an opportunity to kill as many people as possible on one single afternoon .
Christchurch is also a city built on a plane .
Geographically it rests on a flat ancient seabed – framed only by the Port Hills to the south and the towering Southern Alps to the west .
The city ’ s traffic is characteristically light ( compared to other cities ) and the route @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islamic Centre is a short drive .
Tarrant fathomed that even with news of a mass killer in the area , traffic would most likely be light .
Tarrant quietly , and unobserved , took notes .
Once satisfied , he returned to Dunedin where he determinedly , and with precision , planned mass murder .
At no time during the reconnaissance , nor the planning phase , did New Zealand Police nor Australia ’ s Police , the Security Intelligence Services , the New Zealand Government Communications Security Bureau notice what was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tarrant ’ s intensifying hatred grew , undeterred , against those who were not white .
As is the case of many western nations , New Zealand , along with its Five Eyes intelligence partners , Australia , Canada , Britain and the United States of America , had appeared more preoccupied with surveillance of those of Muslim and Islamic origins than they were of disarming an intensifying white extremist threat .
NOTE : For a video discussion on this security intelligence element , see : A View from Afar with Paul Buchanan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
In the early afternoon of March 15 , 2019 , Tarrant arrived at his first waypoint .
He parked his vehicle in a neighbouring driveway .
Around 190 worshipers ( children , women , men ) had already arrived at Al Noor Mosque and others were still making their way there for Friday Prayer .
It was a warm late Summers day .
In a nearby park , people were playing .
School children were enjoying the peace and fun that the garden city offered .
Inside his vehicle , Tarrant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body .
He put on a helmet .
Earlier , he had fixed a video camera and a strobe light to the helmet – the latter was designed to confuse his intended victims ; the camera was connected to the internet via a cellphone device so as to provide Tarrant the opportunity to livestream his intended atrocity to a Facebook audience .
Tarrant then sent a ‘ Manifesto ’ to a white extremist website .
He also emailed his intentions ( with ‘ Manifesto ’ attached ) to the New Zealand Government , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and to national and international media .
Minutes later , Tarrant weaponed up , stepping from his vehicle he carried two semi-automatic firearms ( including a shotgun ) with multiple magazines , and approached the entrance to Al Noor Mosque .
“ At that time four worshippers , Mounir Soliman , Syed Ali , Amjad Hamid and Hussein Moustafa , were at the Mosque ’ s front entrance .
Without warning you discharged the shotgun multiple times in quick succession , killing each of them .
A wounded Mr Moustafa was despatched by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his back and head.
” ( ref .
New Zealand High Court ruling , Justice Mander , August 27 , 2020 ; URL : https : //www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/assets/cases/R-v-Tarrant-sentencing-remarks-20200827.pdf ) That was just the beginning , the moment Brenton Tarrant decided to open fire , ultimately putting his plan into action .
His hateful journey , once conceived in his past , had been nurtured by those with whom he chose to associate with .
His racist views had become darker by the month .
His decision to become a mass murderer , a terrorist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was now a reality .
Throughout the week of August 24-27 , New Zealanders discovered how detailed Tarrant ’ s plan was .
There was a risk , due to Tarrant ’ s guilty plea ( lodged some months earlier ) and his decision to refuse legal assistance , that details of his crimes – forensically applied to a timeline by detectives , scientists and prosecutors – would be sealed beyond the reach and rightful consideration of survivors .
New Zealanders of all ethnicities , colour and religions too , needed to hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorism could have occurred in this relatively peaceful land .
“ The Offender pleaded guilty to 51 charges of murder , 40 of attempted murder and one of committing a terrorist act after shooting worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch .
Court held that no minimum period of imprisonment would be sufficient to satisfy the purpose of sentencing .
Offender sentenced to life imprisonment without parole under s 103 ( 2A ) Sentencing Act 2002.
” There was also a concern , that Tarrant , who had the legal right to address the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to express his white extremist ideology .
As a preventive measure , the High Court ’ s Justice Mander applied tight controls on media , and insisted Tarrant would be withdrawn from the Court should he begin such a tirade .
Victims and survivors were offered the right to speak their impact statements to the Court and , significantly to tell Tarrant what they thought of him , and of the true consequences his actions had had on their lives .
Initially , 60 people wished to read their statements to the Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after observing how their fellow Muslims accounts somehow were beneficial , also wished to have their experiences told .
Some spoke of how Tarrant had failed in his purpose , as their faith had strengthened since the murders , that they as a community had become stronger , and how loved they had felt when New Zealanders of all colours embraced them as valued members of the nation ’ s family .
A common account reiterated how ‘ you sought to divide us , to alienate us .
You failed ’ .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was passive , absolutely .
Whenever he was ushered into the Court , his hands and legs bound in shackles , he was assisted by officers to sit before the packed public gallery .
When the Judge addressed him , he was respectfully at full attention .
When addressed by his victims loved ones and survivors , he was attentive , although without emotion .
At one point , a murdered victims ’ mother addressed Tarrant .
She stated she had “ no hate for him ” as a person , that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nod .
Began to blink rapidly and appeared to wipe a tear from his eye .
Shortly after , New Zealanders learned that the killer had withdrawn his intention to address the court .
A total of 98 victims and loved ones read their impact statements to the Court and to Tarrant .
Some expressing distress and some anger .
The killer was referred to as a ‘ coward ’ by a school teacher , whose brother was murdered in cold blood .
Another man , the son of a middle aged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ .
Another , that Tarrant was nothing but “ rotten meat ” to him .
Three men concluded their account with a Muslim prayer and chanted Allahu Akbar while pointing defiantly at Tarrant .
The Court observed in silence , noting the tragic recount of events told by those who suffer injuries from the bullet , the experience leaving physical , mental , emotional , social wounds as a consequence of Tarrant ’ s crimes – but none expressed a loss of faith in Islam nor of New Zealand as a community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ One survivor , Dr Hamimah Tuyan left her two sons in Singapore to travel to the High Court in Christchurch to speak and honour her late husband , Zekeriya – the 51st victim to die.
’ She told Radio New Zealand ’ s Morning Report she wrestled for some time if she should write a statement .
Once she came back to Christchurch she decided she would listen to every victim statement delivered in court : “ I was just so inspired by the brave brothers and sisters – their words , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so glad that I actually wrote it and opted to read it .
That was the only way I could represent my husband and my boys , ” she said on live radio .
Dr Hamimah Tuyan said she felt a weight lift from her shoulders and then left everything in the hands of God and the judge .
“ We were all calm after the last session and basically waited … listening to each and every word of Judge Mander ’ s sentence until the end – two hours.
” Ref .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and many others , spoke of Catharsis in having had the courage to speak of their experience and their strength , and of the bravery of their loved ones who died on March 15 , 2019 .
Then came the Judge ’ s ruling .
For four hours Justice Mander read a precise account of what happened that day .
In a move that was welcomed by the victims and New Zealanders , Justice Mander spoke of each victim and of their character , of the circumstances of how each person died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zealanders learned of the cold blooded reality of the consequences of hate that tore at the heart of the Muslim community that day .
‘ As you made your way down the hallway of the Mosque to the main prayer area you shot Ata Mohammad Ata Elayyan and Ali Elmadani , murdering both men .
You then entered the main prayer room at the rear of the building .
There were over 120 worshippers present .
They had heard the gunfire .
Appreciating that something was very wrong , they moved to each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to where there were single exits in each corner .
‘ When you entered the main prayer room you initially fired at worshippers who were lying on the ground .
You shot Ziyaad Shah .
You then turned to the two large groups gathered on each side of the prayer area .
There was little chance of escape .
You fired your semi-automatic firearm into the mass of people on one side of the room .
The rate of fire was extremely rapid .
You repeatedly moved your weapon across that side of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of trapped people on the opposite side .
‘ As you turned your semi-automatic weapon on these worshippers , Naeem Rashid ran at you .
Despite being shot , he crashed into you , forcing you down on one knee and dislodging a magazine from your vest .
Mr Rashid had been hit in the shoulder and , as he lay on his back , you fired further shots at him .
Mr Rashid died but his bravery allowed a number of his fellow worshippers to escape.
’ ‘ By this stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You replaced that with another .
Standing in the middle of the room , you fired rapid bursts towards each side of the prayer room where people were trying to hide or were attempting to escape .
After reloading yet again , you continued to shoot at persons lying prone or trying to escape .
You discharged rapid bursts across both sides of the room before approaching individual victims and shooting them .
As Ashraf Ragheb sought to escape from a side room down the hallway to the main entrance , you shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many dead .
‘ You moved closer to each now piled group of people lying deceased , wounded or feigning death on each side of the main prayer room .
Worshippers , who were either crying out for help or who appeared to be alive , were systematically shot in the head .
One of those was a three-year-old child , Mucaad Ibrahim .
He was clinging to his father ’ s leg and you murdered him with two aimed shots.
’ The judge continued , detailing how Brenton Tarrant then made his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Outside you shot at people attempting to flee .
You shot Mohammad Faruk in the back , killing him .
Wasseim Daragmih and his fouryear-old daughter received life-threatening wounds .
You fired in the opposite direction , hitting Sazada Akhter in the spine .
She will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.
’ Tarrant then returned to his vehicle .
Quickly he rearmed himself with an assault rifle fitted with two 40 round magazines .
‘ You fired this weapon down a side driveway towards the back of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamza Alhaj Mustafa , a 16-year-old boy who had escaped from the main prayer room and was sheltering behind vehicles .
Another man , Mohammad Shamim Siddiqui , was critically wounded .
‘ You then returned to the main prayer room .
As you entered you saw Md Hoq , who was wounded , sitting up against a window .
You aimed one shot at Mr Hoq , killing him instantly , before firing further shots at a group of people lying in one corner .
There were some 30 deceased or critically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You delivered fatal shots to those who were still alive .
‘ You then reloaded your weapon and walked over to the group of people lying in the opposite corner and fired into them .
You noticed Haji Nabi attempting to shelter behind a small wall .
With two carefully aimed shots you murdered Mr Nabi before walking to within a metre of the piled group and firing further shots into those who were either deceased or mortally wounded .
Any persons who showed signs of life were shot.
’ The Judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precise detail that the Police , scientists , and prosecutors had discovered was read to Tarrant .
The killer ’ s gaze remained attentive .
Silently , he sat , emotionless , listening to every word .
Observers reflected on how Brenton Tarrant appeared a hollow shell of a human being .
Immediately after his arrest , Tarrant presented as arrogant , remorseless , complaining to Police that he was disappointed that he didn ’ t kill more people .
He was then in peak physical condition , clearly having been working out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared without emotion , without purpose , passively listening to the accounts of victims and that of the Judge detailing the facts of what he had done .
He did not challenge the facts , rather he had accepted them as accurate a true account of his crimes .
‘ After exiting the Mosque for the second time you saw two women attempting to escape .
You shot Ansi Karippakulam Alibava and Husna Ahmed .
Ms Ahmed was killed .
Ms Karippakulam Alibava was wounded .
While she lay on the street , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defenceless young woman , firing two shots at her from point-blank range .
You then returned to your vehicle and inflicted the indignity of driving over her body as she lay in front of the driveway from which you exited.
’ Still , Tarrant remained emotionless , leaving some to ponder whether he was intent of creating an enigma of himself , a mysterious figure who refused to offer any words or emotion upon which others may define him .
Rather , he had earlier defined himself to appointed psychiatrists and psychologists as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fascist ” .
He had stated to the clinicians , appointed to assess his personality and condition , that in the months leading up to the killings , he had sunken into despair , into a depression .
That he was angry at the world and wanted to hurt it , damage it .
Radio New Zealand investigated Brenton Tarrant ’ s background .
The following segment is a paraphrase of that investigation .
Brenton Tarrant ’ s life experience was unremarkable , at least in the beginning .
He was born on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural Australia , in a town called Grafton some 500 kilometres north of Sydney .
He was the youngest of three siblings .
His parents separated while he was still at school .
He played sport ( Rugby League ) but was overweight and was bullied , to a degree , by others of his age .
His father worked as a rubbish collector , and his family was respected in the general Clarence Valley area .
One of Tarrant ’ s cousins told Australia ’ s 7News , there was little in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead .
But , when his father died of cancer when Tarrant was 20 years of age , he was crushed by the loss .
He inherited AU $ 500,000.00 from his fathers estate .
Dabbled in investments .
Then travelled extensively .
It was during his overseas experience abroad , particularly in Europe , that he was radicalised .
Details are vague , but court accounts place him in France where he was attracted to white extremist groups with which he increasingly shared commonly held racist views .
He continued to travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the countries that were once ruled by the Ottoman Empire , visiting historic battle sites .
He travelled through greater Asia , visiting Pakistan and the border areas of Afghanistan .
Then , in August , 2017 , he emigrated to Dunedin , New Zealand .
He joined a rifle club , acquired a firearms license from the New Zealand Police , and joined a South Dunedin gym .
He kept largely to himself , isolating his ideas , his anger , his purpose from those around him .
Brenton Tarrant never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed no intention to get a job .
Wider family members visited Tarrant while he lived in Dunedin .
They returned to Australia , noting concerns to his immediate family that he was not in a good state of mind , and had shown them that he had many guns .
Then , as Radio New Zealand reported Tarrant ’ s last message to the white extremist group on 8Chan came in March 15 , 2019 : “ It ’ s been a long ride and … you are all top blokes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could ask for , ” Tarrant posted.
’ Radio New Zealand noted : ‘ His friends were faceless , his interactions existent only in cyberspace.
’ ( Ref . )
‘ As you drove away from the Al Noor Mosque you continued to shoot at anyone who you considered should be the target of your hate .
You discharged a shotgun at two men who appeared to be of African descent .
A short distance on you saw Muhammad Nasir and his son walking towards the Mosque dressed in traditional clothing .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Nasir , before actioning the weapon again and pointing it directly at the boy who was trying to hide behind a wall .
You pulled the trigger but it failed to fire .
‘ You then sped away , driving directly to the Linwood Islamic Centre .
On the way you came abreast of another vehicle being driven by a Fijian man .
You pointed your shotgun at him .
Despite repeated attempts to discharge the shotgun it failed to fire .
‘ When you got to Linwood you approached the Mosque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ armed with yet another firearm .
You saw three people in and around a car .
You shot Ghulam Hussain in the head , killing him , before firing at and wounding Muhammad Raza who had got out of the other side of the vehicle .
You shot another occupant of the car , Karam Bibi , before advancing up the driveway , where you saw Mr Raza attempting to find cover behind a fence .
He attempted to retreat from you .
Despite his pleas to spare him , you murdered him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hide in front of the vehicle .
You walked to within metres of her as she lay prone with her head buried in her hands , stood over her , and killed her.
’ Tarrant approached the Mosque , passing a window .
He saw a silhouette of a man .
He shot him with a single shot to the head .
The man ’ s name was Mohammed Khan .
With your weapon now empty , you ran down the driveway back to your vehicle .
As you reached the car , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ followed you down the driveway , challenged you .
You retrieved another semi-automatic rifle from your vehicle and fired at him .
He dived between some parked cars , before you walked back up the driveway to the main entrance to the Mosque .
EDITOR ’ S NOTE : I wrote about this moment , in the German magazine Cicero.de in March 2019 , shortly after the murders : Inside Linwood Mosque was Abdul Aziz , a man who had gathered with his Muslim brothers .
He had just begun his second pray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first he thought it was someone playing with firecrackers ( fireworks ) .
But then , within seconds , he heard people screaming .
Mr Aziz picked up an EFTPOS ( electronic funds transaction ) machine from a table inside the mosque .
He ran outside .
He saw a man he describes as looking like a soldier .
He said to the man : “ Who are you ” .
Mr Aziz then saw three people lying on the ground dead from shotgun blasts .
He realised the man was the killer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the EFTPOS machine hitting the killer , who in turn took from his vehicle a second firearm ( a military style semi-automatic assault rifle ) and fired four to five shots at Abdul Aziz , missing him .
Then , in an attempt to lure the killer away from other people , Mr Aziz shouted at the killer from behind a car : “ Come , I ’ m here .
Come I ’ m here !
” Mr Aziz said he didn ’ t want the killer to go inside the mosque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killer remained focussed .
He walked directly to the entrance , once inside the mosque he continued his killing spree .
Survivors speak of the killer wearing “ army clothes ” , dressed in “ SWAT combat clothing ” , helmeted , wearing a vest and a balaclava… Written on the rifle were the words , ‘ Welcome to hell ’ .
( ref .
Attentat in Christchurch – Willkommen in der Hölle ) In the High Court this week , Justice Mander continued : ‘ There were several people standing inside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom you repeatedly fired .
You killed Musa Patel .
Walking further into the Mosque , you shot and killed Linda Armstrong .
People were huddled in corners of the room or trying to escape as you fired your weapon , killing Mohamad Mohamedhosen .
You continued to fire the semi-automatic rifle until it ran out of ammunition , at which point you dropped it and ran back to your vehicle .
‘ Mr Wahabazadah chased you down the driveway , yelling at you .
You removed the bayonet from your vest but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As you began driving away , Mr Wahabazadah got close enough to throw one of your discarded weapons at your vehicle .
‘ After leaving the Linwood Mosque , your intention was to drive to Ashburton to attack another mosque , but your vehicle was rammed off the road by a police car and you were apprehended by two armed police officers .
You were anxious not to be shot and offered no resistance , ’ Justice Mander read .
The Judge then spoke about the character of each of those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Haji Mohemmed Daoud Nabi was a 71-year-old who had been married to his wife for 46 years .
He was a role model and leader to his family ; a best friend to his children and to his wife .
For them the pain and anguish never goes away .
Mrs Nabi describes herself as “ alive , but not living ” .
’ ‘ Ansi Karippakulam Alibava ’ s husband found her lying on the road .
He sat down beside her until police told him it was not safe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ treating her that she had died .
He is devastated .
He finds himself constantly reminded of the events of that day and the loss of his dear wife .
He can find no solace.
’ ‘ Ozair Kadir was training to be an airline pilot like his big brother .
His death has left a scar on the hearts of his proud parents .
His murder haunts his father.
‘ ‘ Sayyad Ahmad Milne was a precious 14-year-old boy with his whole life before him .
His murder has left a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite his father ’ s resilience and forgiveness , they grieve for him deeply.
’ ‘ Mucaad Aden Ibrahim was younger still — a three-year-old infant .
His father described him as “ the happiness of the household ” — a vibrant young boy who made friends with everyone he met .
No family can recover from the murder of such a small child.
’ In the end , Justice Mander considered what sentence is permitted under New Zealand law .
As a liberal social democratic country , New Zealand repealed the Death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1950s .
After consideration , the Judge sentenced Brenton Harrison Tarrant to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole – which means , he will die in prison .
This is the first time any accused has received this sentence in New Zealand .
‘ On each of the 51 charges of murder ( charges 1-51 ) you are sentenced to life imprisonment .
I order that you serve the sentences without parole .
‘ On each of the 40 charges of attempted murder ( charges 52-91 ) you are sentenced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
‘ On the charge of committing a terrorist act ( charge 92 ) you are sentenced to life imprisonment .
‘ I also direct that the four psychiatric and psychological reports prepared for this proceeding be made available to the Department of Corrections.
’ And then came the Judge ’ s final order : On writing this account , I am mindful that we can not republish a summary of each of the victims when 91 people have been either killed or maimed by one man ’ s actions .
It feels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and who to exclude from this report .
How can one apply news values to people who have had their present and future stolen from them ?
One can not .
Therefore , I encourage you , readers , to read the unabridged ruling from the New Zealand High Court .
While upsetting , it will offer a sober account of what occurs when hatred is left to grow inside us , when others do not know how to react or challenge when hatred is expressed .
( ) Also , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this series of unanswered questions which remain after the killing ceases , well after the victims ’ faces become one .
Answers remain elusive even after the verdict is read , the sentence is delivered , and the survivors have been ushered home to pick up the pieces of their lives .
We are left to wonder , why .
That question , that one word , will haunt us for the rest of our days .
Prime Minister of New Zealand , Jacinda Ardern ’ s reaction to the sentence : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our Muslim community who shared their words in court over the past few days , ” Jacinda Ardern said .
“ You relived the horrific events of March 15 to chronicle what happened that day and the pain it has left behind .
“ Nothing will take the pain away but I hope you felt the arms of New Zealand around you through this whole process , and I hope you continue to feel that through all the days that follow .
“ The trauma of March 15 is not easily healed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where we have any cause to hear or utter the name of the terrorist behind it .
His deserves to be a lifetime of complete and utter silence.
” Alpha and Omega , as we began , so we close : At what point in time does an atrocity have a beginning ?
Is it when the first gunshot is fired ?
When the first victim is killed ?
When a killer first submits to thoughts of hatred , alienation , blame and decides to apply those emotions into physical action ?
Or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when killing is considered defensible by those in whom one chooses to associate with , to support , to impress ?
Is it when one subscribes to another ’ s ideology of hate ?
Or when silence is a protector – chosen by reasonable people – when those around us speak of inhuman things ?
PS : We also invite you to view this week ’ s episode of A View fro Afar with Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning where they discuss , in depth , the causes , impact and possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ See Also by this author : Willkommen in der Hölle , Cicero.de , March 2019 .
And , Christchurch Terror Attacks – New Zealand ’ s Darkest Hour

Special Report by Selwyn Manning. A German language version of this report was published by Cicero.de magazine in Germany. Caution: This report contains detail that could be disturbing to many people.
AT WHAT POINT in time does an atrocity have a beginning? Is it when the first gunshot is fired? When the first victim is killed? When a killer first submits to thoughts of hatred, alienation, blame and decides to apply those emotions into physical action? Or, is it when racism is justified, when killing is considered defensible by those in whom one chooses to associate with, to support, to impress? Is it when one subscribes to another’s ideology of hate? Or when silence is a protector – chosen by reasonable people – when those around us speak of inhuman things?
*******
‘Ok lads, enough talking, it’s time for action.’ With those words, early on March 15, 2019, and expressed to his dark-net acquaintances, Brenton Harrison Tarrant initiated his plan to murder as many people of the Muslim faith as was possible.
Tarrant then packed six firearms into his vehicle, including: two military-styled assault rifles (AR-15 .223 calibre) and semi-automatic shotguns. He added 7000 rounds of ammunition, a bayonet-styled knife, and four IEDs (improvised explosive devices).
Wrapped within a bulletproof-vest he reversed from the driveway of his rented Dunedin home and self-drove 361 kilometres northward to New Zealand’s largest South Island city, Christchurch.
Reconnaissance:
Christchurch is known for its gardens, parks, sport, English-Victorian-styled architecture, earthquakes, parochialism, a modest inter-faith Muslim community; and, paradoxically, its white extremist gangs.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Two months earlier, in January 2019, Tarrant visited Christchurch. The purpose: reconnaissance of Al Noor Mosque – a place of prayer and worship for hundreds of the city’s Muslim people.
In January, Tarrant parked his vehicle adjacent to Al Noor Mosque, unpacked a drone and flew it above and over the facility. He recorded an aerial view video of the grounds, noting points of entry, exits, corridors where people could escape, where they could hide.
Tarrant observed how hundreds of people would attend Friday prayers. He decided Al Noor was the location, and, Friday was to be the day of the week which provided him an opportunity to kill as many people as possible on one single afternoon.
Christchurch is also a city built on a plane. Geographically it rests on a flat ancient seabed – framed only by the Port Hills to the south and the towering Southern Alps to the west. The city’s traffic is characteristically light (compared to other cities) and the route from Al Noor Mosque to nearby Linwood Islamic Centre is a short drive. Tarrant fathomed that even with news of a mass killer in the area, traffic would most likely be light.
Tarrant quietly, and unobserved, took notes. Once satisfied, he returned to Dunedin where he determinedly, and with precision, planned mass murder.
At no time during the reconnaissance, nor the planning phase, did New Zealand Police nor Australia’s Police, the Security Intelligence Services, the New Zealand Government Communications Security Bureau notice what was being planned and expressed online. Brenton Tarrant’s intensifying hatred grew, undeterred, against those who were not white. As is the case of many western nations, New Zealand, along with its Five Eyes intelligence partners, Australia, Canada, Britain and the United States of America, had appeared more preoccupied with surveillance of those of Muslim and Islamic origins than they were of disarming an intensifying white extremist threat.
NOTE: For a video discussion on this security intelligence element, see: A View from Afar with Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning, March 27, 2020.
Alpha and Omega:
In the early afternoon of March 15, 2019, Tarrant arrived at his first waypoint. He parked his vehicle in a neighbouring driveway. Around 190 worshipers (children, women, men) had already arrived at Al Noor Mosque and others were still making their way there for Friday Prayer.
It was a warm late Summers day. In a nearby park, people were playing. School children were enjoying the peace and fun that the garden city offered.
Inside his vehicle, Tarrant strapped his bulletproof vest tightly to his body. He put on a helmet. Earlier, he had fixed a video camera and a strobe light to the helmet – the latter was designed to confuse his intended victims; the camera was connected to the internet via a cellphone device so as to provide Tarrant the opportunity to livestream his intended atrocity to a Facebook audience.
Tarrant then sent a ‘Manifesto’ to a white extremist website. He also emailed his intentions (with ‘Manifesto’ attached) to the New Zealand Government, to the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and to national and international media.
Minutes later, Tarrant weaponed up, stepping from his vehicle he carried two semi-automatic firearms (including a shotgun) with multiple magazines, and approached the entrance to Al Noor Mosque.
“At that time four worshippers, Mounir Soliman, Syed Ali, Amjad Hamid and Hussein Moustafa, were at the Mosque’s front entrance. Without warning you discharged the shotgun multiple times in quick succession, killing each of them. A wounded Mr Moustafa was despatched by you at point-blank range with shots to his back and head.” (ref. New Zealand High Court ruling, Justice Mander, August 27, 2020; URL: https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/assets/cases/R-v-Tarrant-sentencing-remarks-20200827.pdf)
That was just the beginning, the moment Brenton Tarrant decided to open fire, ultimately putting his plan into action. His hateful journey, once conceived in his past, had been nurtured by those with whom he chose to associate with. His racist views had become darker by the month. His decision to become a mass murderer, a terrorist by his own definition and admission, was now a reality.
*******
Catharsis From Horror
Throughout the week of August 24-27, New Zealanders discovered how detailed Tarrant’s plan was. There was a risk, due to Tarrant’s guilty plea (lodged some months earlier) and his decision to refuse legal assistance, that details of his crimes – forensically applied to a timeline by detectives, scientists and prosecutors – would be sealed beyond the reach and rightful consideration of survivors. New Zealanders of all ethnicities, colour and religions too, needed to hear detail of how this monstrous act of terrorism could have occurred in this relatively peaceful land.
Officially, the High Court summarised the charges:
“The Offender pleaded guilty to 51 charges of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one of committing a terrorist act after shooting worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch. Court held that no minimum period of imprisonment would be sufficient to satisfy the purpose of sentencing. Offender sentenced to life imprisonment without parole under s 103 (2A) Sentencing Act 2002.”
There was also a concern, that Tarrant, who had the legal right to address the High Court, would use that opportunity to express his white extremist ideology. As a preventive measure, the High Court’s Justice Mander applied tight controls on media, and insisted Tarrant would be withdrawn from the Court should he begin such a tirade.
Victims and survivors were offered the right to speak their impact statements to the Court and, significantly to tell Tarrant what they thought of him, and of the true consequences his actions had had on their lives.
Initially, 60 people wished to read their statements to the Court and to the killer. Others, after observing how their fellow Muslims accounts somehow were beneficial, also wished to have their experiences told.
Some spoke of how Tarrant had failed in his purpose, as their faith had strengthened since the murders, that they as a community had become stronger, and how loved they had felt when New Zealanders of all colours embraced them as valued members of the nation’s family. A common account reiterated how ‘you sought to divide us, to alienate us. You failed’.
While in Court, Tarrant’s deportment was passive, absolutely. Whenever he was ushered into the Court, his hands and legs bound in shackles, he was assisted by officers to sit before the packed public gallery. When the Judge addressed him, he was respectfully at full attention. When addressed by his victims loved ones and survivors, he was attentive, although without emotion.
At one point, a murdered victims’ mother addressed Tarrant. She stated she had “no hate for him” as a person, that she forgave him. Tarrant acknowledged her with a nod. Began to blink rapidly and appeared to wipe a tear from his eye. Shortly after, New Zealanders learned that the killer had withdrawn his intention to address the court.
A total of 98 victims and loved ones read their impact statements to the Court and to Tarrant. Some expressing distress and some anger. The killer was referred to as a ‘coward’ by a school teacher, whose brother was murdered in cold blood. Another man, the son of a middle aged worshiper addressed Tarrant as a ‘maggot’. Another, that Tarrant was nothing but “rotten meat” to him. Three men concluded their account with a Muslim prayer and chanted Allahu Akbar while pointing defiantly at Tarrant.
The Court observed in silence, noting the tragic recount of events told by those who suffer injuries from the bullet, the experience leaving physical, mental, emotional, social wounds as a consequence of Tarrant’s crimes – but none expressed a loss of faith in Islam nor of New Zealand as a community.
As Radio New Zealand reports: ‘One survivor, Dr Hamimah Tuyan left her two sons in Singapore to travel to the High Court in Christchurch to speak and honour her late husband, Zekeriya – the 51st victim to die.’
She told Radio New Zealand’s Morning Report she wrestled for some time if she should write a statement. Once she came back to Christchurch she decided she would listen to every victim statement delivered in court: “I was just so inspired by the brave brothers and sisters – their words, their feelings. I’m just so glad that I actually wrote it and opted to read it. That was the only way I could represent my husband and my boys,” she said on live radio.
Dr Hamimah Tuyan said she felt a weight lift from her shoulders and then left everything in the hands of God and the judge.
“We were all calm after the last session and basically waited … listening to each and every word of Judge Mander’s sentence until the end – two hours.” Ref. Radio New Zealand, ( https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/424653/mosque-attack-hero-we-achieved-what-we-wanted )
She, and many others, spoke of Catharsis in having had the courage to speak of their experience and their strength, and of the bravery of their loved ones who died on March 15, 2019.
Cold Blooded Reality:
Then came the Judge’s ruling. For four hours Justice Mander read a precise account of what happened that day. In a move that was welcomed by the victims and New Zealanders, Justice Mander spoke of each victim and of their character, of the circumstances of how each person died.
For the first time, New Zealanders learned of the cold blooded reality of the consequences of hate that tore at the heart of the Muslim community that day.
Accounts like:
‘As you made your way down the hallway of the Mosque to the main prayer area you shot Ata Mohammad Ata Elayyan and Ali Elmadani, murdering both men. You then entered the main prayer room at the rear of the building. There were over 120 worshippers present. They had heard the gunfire. Appreciating that something was very wrong, they moved to each side of the large open prayer area to where there were single exits in each corner.
‘When you entered the main prayer room you initially fired at worshippers who were lying on the ground. You shot Ziyaad Shah. You then turned to the two large groups gathered on each side of the prayer area. There was little chance of escape. You fired your semi-automatic firearm into the mass of people on one side of the room. The rate of fire was extremely rapid. You repeatedly moved your weapon across that side of the room before turning to the other group of trapped people on the opposite side.
‘As you turned your semi-automatic weapon on these worshippers, Naeem Rashid ran at you. Despite being shot, he crashed into you, forcing you down on one knee and dislodging a magazine from your vest. Mr Rashid had been hit in the shoulder and, as he lay on his back, you fired further shots at him. Mr Rashid died but his bravery allowed a number of his fellow worshippers to escape.’
‘By this stage you had emptied a 60-round magazine. You replaced that with another. Standing in the middle of the room, you fired rapid bursts towards each side of the prayer room where people were trying to hide or were attempting to escape. After reloading yet again, you continued to shoot at persons lying prone or trying to escape. You discharged rapid bursts across both sides of the room before approaching individual victims and shooting them. As Ashraf Ragheb sought to escape from a side room down the hallway to the main entrance, you shot and killed him. Already there were many dead.
‘You moved closer to each now piled group of people lying deceased, wounded or feigning death on each side of the main prayer room. Worshippers, who were either crying out for help or who appeared to be alive, were systematically shot in the head. One of those was a three-year-old child, Mucaad Ibrahim. He was clinging to his father’s leg and you murdered him with two aimed shots.’
The judge continued, detailing how Brenton Tarrant then made his way outside Al Noor Mosque.
‘Outside you shot at people attempting to flee. You shot Mohammad Faruk in the back, killing him. Wasseim Daragmih and his fouryear-old daughter received life-threatening wounds. You fired in the opposite direction, hitting Sazada Akhter in the spine. She will be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.’
Tarrant then returned to his vehicle. Quickly he rearmed himself with an assault rifle fitted with two 40 round magazines.
‘You fired this weapon down a side driveway towards the back of the Mosque, murdering Muse Awale and Hamza Alhaj Mustafa, a 16-year-old boy who had escaped from the main prayer room and was sheltering behind vehicles. Another man, Mohammad Shamim Siddiqui, was critically wounded.
‘You then returned to the main prayer room. As you entered you saw Md Hoq, who was wounded,sitting up against a window. You aimed one shot at Mr Hoq, killing him instantly, before firing further shots at a group of people lying in one corner. There were some 30 deceased or critically wounded worshippers in this mass of people. You delivered fatal shots to those who were still alive.
‘You then reloaded your weapon and walked over to the group of people lying in the opposite corner and fired into them. You noticed Haji Nabi attempting to shelter behind a small wall. With two carefully aimed shots you murdered Mr Nabi before walking to within a metre of the piled group and firing further shots into those who were either deceased or mortally wounded. Any persons who showed signs of life were shot.’
The Judge’s ruling continued on, every precise detail that the Police, scientists, and prosecutors had discovered was read to Tarrant. The killer’s gaze remained attentive. Silently, he sat, emotionless, listening to every word.
Observers reflected on how Brenton Tarrant appeared a hollow shell of a human being. Immediately after his arrest, Tarrant presented as arrogant, remorseless, complaining to Police that he was disappointed that he didn’t kill more people. He was then in peak physical condition, clearly having been working out regularly. But this week, he appeared without emotion, without purpose, passively listening to the accounts of victims and that of the Judge detailing the facts of what he had done. He did not challenge the facts, rather he had accepted them as accurate a true account of his crimes.
Justice Mander continued on:
‘After exiting the Mosque for the second time you saw two women attempting to escape. You shot Ansi Karippakulam Alibava and Husna Ahmed. Ms Ahmed was killed. Ms Karippakulam Alibava was wounded. While she lay on the street, pleading for help, you murdered this defenceless young woman, firing two shots at her from point-blank range. You then returned to your vehicle and inflicted the indignity of driving over her body as she lay in front of the driveway from which you exited.’
Still, Tarrant remained emotionless, leaving some to ponder whether he was intent of creating an enigma of himself, a mysterious figure who refused to offer any words or emotion upon which others may define him. Rather, he had earlier defined himself to appointed psychiatrists and psychologists as a “Terrorist” and a “Fascist”. He had stated to the clinicians, appointed to assess his personality and condition, that in the months leading up to the killings, he had sunken into despair, into a depression. That he was angry at the world and wanted to hurt it, damage it.
The Child The Man:
Radio New Zealand investigated Brenton Tarrant’s background. The following segment is a paraphrase of that investigation.
Brenton Tarrant’s life experience was unremarkable, at least in the beginning. He was born on October 27, 1990 and raised in rural Australia, in a town called Grafton some 500 kilometres north of Sydney. He was the youngest of three siblings. His parents separated while he was still at school. He played sport (Rugby League) but was overweight and was bullied, to a degree, by others of his age. His father worked as a rubbish collector, and his family was respected in the general Clarence Valley area.
One of Tarrant’s cousins told Australia’s 7News, there was little in his background that would have indicated problems ahead. But, when his father died of cancer when Tarrant was 20 years of age, he was crushed by the loss. He inherited AU$500,000.00 from his fathers estate. Dabbled in investments. Then travelled extensively. It was during his overseas experience abroad, particularly in Europe, that he was radicalised.
Details are vague, but court accounts place him in France where he was attracted to white extremist groups with which he increasingly shared commonly held racist views. He continued to travel around Europe, and developed an interest in the countries that were once ruled by the Ottoman Empire, visiting historic battle sites. He travelled through greater Asia, visiting Pakistan and the border areas of Afghanistan.
Then, in August, 2017, he emigrated to Dunedin, New Zealand. He joined a rifle club, acquired a firearms license from the New Zealand Police, and joined a South Dunedin gym.
He kept largely to himself, isolating his ideas, his anger, his purpose from those around him.
Brenton Tarrant never sought to work in New Zealand and showed no intention to get a job.
Wider family members visited Tarrant while he lived in Dunedin. They returned to Australia, noting concerns to his immediate family that he was not in a good state of mind, and had shown them that he had many guns.
Then, as Radio New Zealand reported Tarrant’s last message to the white extremist group on 8Chan came in March 15, 2019:
“It’s been a long ride and … you are all top blokes and the best bunch of cobbers a man could ask for,” Tarrant posted.’
Radio New Zealand noted: ‘His friends were faceless, his interactions existent only in cyberspace.’ (Ref. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/424269/a-loner-with-a-lot-of-money-a-look-into-the-christchurch-mosque-gunman-s-past )
The Courtroom Account Continued:
Justice Mander:
‘As you drove away from the Al Noor Mosque you continued to shoot at anyone who you considered should be the target of your hate. You discharged a shotgun at two men who appeared to be of African descent. A short distance on you saw Muhammad Nasir and his son walking towards the Mosque dressed in traditional clothing. You again discharged the shotgun, seriously wounding Mr Nasir, before actioning the weapon again and pointing it directly at the boy who was trying to hide behind a wall. You pulled the trigger but it failed to fire.
‘You then sped away, driving directly to the Linwood Islamic Centre. On the way you came abreast of another vehicle being driven by a Fijian man. You pointed your shotgun at him. Despite repeated attempts to discharge the shotgun it failed to fire.
‘When you got to Linwood you approached the Mosque on foot down a long driveway, armed with yet another firearm. You saw three people in and around a car. You shot Ghulam Hussain in the head, killing him, before firing at and wounding Muhammad Raza who had got out of the other side of the vehicle. You shot another occupant of the car, Karam Bibi, before advancing up the driveway, where you saw Mr Raza attempting to find cover behind a fence. He attempted to retreat from you. Despite his pleas to spare him, you murdered him. A wounded Ms Bibi sought to hide in front of the vehicle. You walked to within metres of her as she lay prone with her head buried in her hands, stood over her, and killed her.’
Tarrant approached the Mosque, passing a window. He saw a silhouette of a man. He shot him with a single shot to the head. The man’s name was Mohammed Khan.
With your weapon now empty, you ran down the driveway back to your vehicle. As you reached the car, Abdul Aziz Wahabazadah, who had courageously followed you down the driveway, challenged you. You retrieved another semi-automatic rifle from your vehicle and fired at him. He dived between some parked cars, before you walked back up the driveway to the main entrance to the Mosque.
EDITOR’S NOTE: I wrote about this moment, in the German magazine Cicero.de in March 2019, shortly after the murders:
Inside Linwood Mosque was Abdul Aziz, a man who had gathered with his Muslim brothers. He had just begun his second pray when he heard gunshots outside. At first he thought it was someone playing with firecrackers (fireworks). But then, within seconds, he heard people screaming.
Mr Aziz picked up an EFTPOS (electronic funds transaction) machine from a table inside the mosque. He ran outside. He saw a man he describes as looking like a soldier. He said to the man: “Who are you”. Mr Aziz then saw three people lying on the ground dead from shotgun blasts. He realised the man was the killer. He approached the attacker, threw the EFTPOS machine hitting the killer, who in turn took from his vehicle a second firearm (a military style semi-automatic assault rifle) and fired four to five shots at Abdul Aziz, missing him. Then, in an attempt to lure the killer away from other people, Mr Aziz shouted at the killer from behind a car: “Come, I’m here. Come I’m here!”
Mr Aziz said he didn’t want the killer to go inside the mosque and kill more people. But the killer remained focussed. He walked directly to the entrance, once inside the mosque he continued his killing spree. Survivors speak of the killer wearing “army clothes”, dressed in “SWAT combat clothing”, helmeted, wearing a vest and a balaclava… Written on the rifle were the words, ‘Welcome to hell’. (ref. Attentat in Christchurch – Willkommen in der Hölle)
In the High Court this week, Justice Mander continued:
‘There were several people standing inside the entranceway and further into the building at whom you repeatedly fired. You killed Musa Patel. Walking further into the Mosque, you shot and killed Linda Armstrong. People were huddled in corners of the room or trying to escape as you fired your weapon, killing Mohamad Mohamedhosen. You continued to fire the semi-automatic rifle until it ran out of ammunition, at which point you dropped it and ran back to your vehicle.
‘Mr Wahabazadah chased you down the driveway, yelling at you. You removed the bayonet from your vest but retreated in the face of his advance. As you began driving away, Mr Wahabazadah got close enough to throw one of your discarded weapons at your vehicle.
‘After leaving the Linwood Mosque, your intention was to drive to Ashburton to attack another mosque, but your vehicle was rammed off the road by a police car and you were apprehended by two armed police officers. You were anxious not to be shot and offered no resistance,’ Justice Mander read.
The Judge then spoke about the character of each of those who were murdered, about people like:
‘Haji Mohemmed Daoud Nabi was a 71-year-old who had been married to his wife for 46 years. He was a role model and leader to his family; a best friend to his children and to his wife. For them the pain and anguish never goes away. Mrs Nabi describes herself as “alive, but not living”.’
And…
‘Ansi Karippakulam Alibava’s husband found her lying on the road. He sat down beside her until police told him it was not safe. He knew when ambulance staff were not treating her that she had died. He is devastated. He finds himself constantly reminded of the events of that day and the loss of his dear wife. He can find no solace.’
And…
‘Ozair Kadir was training to be an airline pilot like his big brother. His death has left a scar on the hearts of his proud parents. His murder haunts his father.‘
And…
‘Sayyad Ahmad Milne was a precious 14-year-old boy with his whole life before him. His murder has left a huge hole in his parents’ hearts. Despite his father’s resilience and forgiveness, they grieve for him deeply.’
And… …
‘Mucaad Aden Ibrahim was younger still — a three-year-old infant. His father described him as “the happiness of the household” — a vibrant young boy who made friends with everyone he met. No family can recover from the murder of such a small child.’
In the end, Justice Mander considered what sentence is permitted under New Zealand law. As a liberal social democratic country, New Zealand repealed the Death Penalty for murder at the end of the 1950s. After consideration, the Judge sentenced Brenton Harrison Tarrant to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole – which means, he will die in prison. This is the first time any accused has received this sentence in New Zealand.
Officially, the Judge delivered his order:
‘On each of the 51 charges of murder (charges 1-51) you are sentenced to life imprisonment. I order that you serve the sentences without parole.
‘On each of the 40 charges of attempted murder (charges 52-91) you are sentenced to concurrent terms of 12 years’ imprisonment.
‘On the charge of committing a terrorist act (charge 92) you are sentenced to life imprisonment.
‘I also direct that the four psychiatric and psychological reports prepared for this proceeding be made available to the Department of Corrections.’
And then came the Judge’s final order:
‘Stand down.’
On writing this account, I am mindful that we cannot republish a summary of each of the victims when 91 people have been either killed or maimed by one man’s actions. It feels terribly selective when choosing who to include, and who to exclude from this report. How can one apply news values to people who have had their present and future stolen from them? One cannot. Therefore, I encourage you, readers, to read the unabridged ruling from the New Zealand High Court. While upsetting, it will offer a sober account of what occurs when hatred is left to grow inside us, when others do not know how to react or challenge when hatred is expressed . ( https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/assets/cases/R-v-Tarrant-sentencing-remarks-20200827.pdf )
Also, there is this awful thing, this contemplation, this series of unanswered questions which remain after the killing ceases, well after the victims’ faces become one. Answers remain elusive even after the verdict is read, the sentence is delivered, and the survivors have been ushered home to pick up the pieces of their lives. We are left to wonder, why. That question, that one word, will haunt us for the rest of our days.
Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern’s reaction to the sentence:
“I want to acknowledge the strength of our Muslim community who shared their words in court over the past few days,” Jacinda Ardern said.
“You relived the horrific events of March 15 to chronicle what happened that day and the pain it has left behind.
“Nothing will take the pain away but I hope you felt the arms of New Zealand around you through this whole process, and I hope you continue to feel that through all the days that follow.
“The trauma of March 15 is not easily healed but today I hope is the last where we have any cause to hear or utter the name of the terrorist behind it. His deserves to be a lifetime of complete and utter silence.”
Alpha and Omega, as we began, so we close:
At what point in time does an atrocity have a beginning? Is it when the first gunshot is fired? When the first victim is killed? When a killer first submits to thoughts of hatred, alienation, blame and decides to apply those emotions into physical action? Or, is it when racism is justified, when killing is considered defensible by those in whom one chooses to associate with, to support, to impress? Is it when one subscribes to another’s ideology of hate? Or when silence is a protector – chosen by reasonable people – when those around us speak of inhuman things?
*******
PS: We also invite you to view this week’s episode of A View fro Afar with Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning where they discuss, in depth, the causes, impact and possible solutions when dealing with white extremism.
See Also by this author: Willkommen in der Hölle, Cicero.de, March 2019. And, Christchurch Terror Attacks – New Zealand’s Darkest Hour


thedailyblog--2020-08-30--A Cannabis ‘Yes’ Vote, Policy Development Fit For Our Times

This time round , Lockdown for Auckland has seemed more serious -not just an aberration .
Even though Level Three ended last night , the collective response seems to have a different permanence , as behaviours and systems of protection become more entrenched .
Though for some , maybe not so much – as with those 500 protesting against Lockdown at Aotea Square on Saturday , or people enjoying Takapuna beach without masks or social distance .
But community transmission really does mean it ’ s in our community .
It ’ s pretty close to my community .
-Someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my ‘ local ’ supermarkets , Lincoln Rd Pak and Save .
It ’ s also one of the country ’ s busiest supermarkets and where the mythical two degrees of Auckland ’ s separation might really exist .
It was confusingly suggested that everyone from South and West Auckland get tested .
But I ’ m too scared to leave the house .
Eight months into Covid , we can see the impacts of the world ’ s government ’ s responses , and their failures to respond , in death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems already undergoing change ; in regional affairs as leaders scurry to find ‘ bubbles ’ they can align to ; in new national debt ; in our stalled community activities ; in our shops , with their ‘ spit guards ’ , and their queues in the rain ; in our homes with our home cooking and our food delivery services .
In the way we work , we ’ re adapting , more or less – this week I joined Zoom meetings with seventy year olds , a friend ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rules of engagement have changed , blurring personal and professional boundaries when working from home .
And there are changes in ourselves .
We ’ re checking for resilience , worrying about the future , wondering if we ’ ll ever travel again .
Eighteen months ago , people walking around in masks were outcasts – now , those who don ’ t are unusual .
Everything feels precarious – not just our jobs .
The potential closure of the NZ oil refinery at Marsden Point , the NZ Steel mill at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show that we are also at the end of an industrial era .
If politics is a contest of ideas , policies as few they are , seem unimaginative , uninspiring , unfit for the task .
National ’ s promise to strip back freshwater reforms , to bring back the ninety day ‘ fire at will ’ period and to remove rest and lunch breaks are regressive and rhetorical .
There are unprincipled concessions via the Provincial Growth Fund and ‘ shovel ready projects ’ at every turn – not just from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a goldrush , leading to perverse and perhaps ill-considered largesse that should be subject to better rigour – and not just from the Greens !
It ’ s election time , there ’ s money to be had , like most Coalition Cabinet Ministers , no wonder James Shaw wanted to be part of the rush .
This week there have also been concessions to farmers , and to the economy itself .
Lockdown V2 is costing $ 500million a week – so the economy is taking precedence over ( measured ) public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ permissive than the risk of the disease would require .
Even if the rules from next week allow us to mingle – at a distance , and with masks- I ’ m happy to work from home .
It ’ s not so much that the disease might kill me , or my elderly parents , but that I should be a carrier , or sicken with the disease but not die .
Being agoraphobic and living in the country suddenly has potentially life-saving benefits .
This week though , we Aucklanders will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cages , allowed again to commute and to drink takeaway coffee .
Auckland ’ s ongoing drought , the stock market hacks and California wildfires this week remind us that for all its destruction , Covid isn ’ t the only show in town .
Today ’ s polling suggesting that those voters previously uncertain about the cannabis referendum are now trending towards a ‘ no ’ vote is a disappointing reflection on the conservativism and caution of New Zealand .
Maybe we are just not as progressive as we think we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question in this year ’ s election referenda seem disproportionate , but each significant and important .
On the one hand we have euthanasia , and on the other , legal access to a plant .
It will be ironic if we vote for the right to die but not to consume marijuana in the privacy of our own homes .
I ’ ll be voting yes for both referenda , and know that regardless of the outcome , certainly the consumption of cannabis will continue to prevail in our society .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to destigmatise its use , leading to public health improvements , potentially reduced consumption , fewer burdens on the criminal justice system , -less use of pot-charges as ‘ gateway criminalisation ’ for young Maori and Pasifika men , and less power in the hands of gangs .
The bonus is that poor rural communities who are usually the disproportionate victims of punitive drug laws ( and alcohol ’ s permissiveness ) , will have the opportunity to develop a new economy from the legal and properly managed sale of cannabis if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
There is prospect of harm reduction all round .
So while political parties are conservative , cautious , and economically neo-liberal more than they are socially liberal , New Zealanders have a chance to drive policy directly .
In cannabis law reform we can continue to put public health first , as we have done with Covid-19 , but also support economic recovery for impoverished communities and for the country at large .
Reducing social harm , prison costs , health impacts , and supporting economic , social – and environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outcomes from a ‘ yes ’ vote in the cannabis referendum and subsequent legislation .
That would be a policy development fit for our times .

This time round, Lockdown for Auckland has seemed more serious -not just an aberration. Even though Level Three ended last night, the collective response seems to have a different permanence, as behaviours and systems of protection become more entrenched. Though for some, maybe not so much – as with those 500 protesting against Lockdown at Aotea Square on Saturday, or people enjoying Takapuna beach without masks or social distance. But community transmission really does mean it’s in our community. It’s pretty close to my community. -Someone later diagnosed with Covid went into one of my ‘local’ supermarkets, Lincoln Rd Pak and Save. It’s also one of the country’s busiest supermarkets and where the mythical two degrees of Auckland’s separation might really exist. It was confusingly suggested that everyone from South and West Auckland get tested. But I’m too scared to leave the house.
Eight months into Covid, we can see the impacts of the world’s government’s responses, and their failures to respond, in death tolls and infection statistics; in global systems already undergoing change; in regional affairs as leaders scurry to find ‘bubbles’ they can align to; in new national debt; in our stalled community activities; in our shops, with their ‘spit guards’, and their queues in the rain; in our homes with our home cooking and our food delivery services. In the way we work, we’re adapting, more or less – this week I joined Zoom meetings with seventy year olds, a friend’s naked child, and a cat. The rules of engagement have changed, blurring personal and professional boundaries when working from home. And there are changes in ourselves. We’re checking for resilience, worrying about the future, wondering if we’ll ever travel again. Eighteen months ago, people walking around in masks were outcasts – now, those who don’t are unusual. Everything feels precarious – not just our jobs. The potential closure of the NZ oil refinery at Marsden Point, the NZ Steel mill at Glenbrook and Tiwai Point smelter in Invercargill show that we are also at the end of an industrial era.
If politics is a contest of ideas, policies as few they are, seem unimaginative, uninspiring, unfit for the task. National’s promise to strip back freshwater reforms, to bring back the ninety day ‘fire at will’ period and to remove rest and lunch breaks are regressive and rhetorical. There are unprincipled concessions via the Provincial Growth Fund and ‘shovel ready projects’ at every turn – not just from the Greens. These funds have created a goldrush, leading to perverse and perhaps ill-considered largesse that should be subject to better rigour – and not just from the Greens! It’s election time, there’s money to be had, like most Coalition Cabinet Ministers, no wonder James Shaw wanted to be part of the rush. This week there have also been concessions to farmers, and to the economy itself. Lockdown V2 is costing $500million a week – so the economy is taking precedence over (measured) public health risks, though L2 seems more permissive than the risk of the disease would require. Even if the rules from next week allow us to mingle – at a distance, and with masks- I’m happy to work from home. It’s not so much that the disease might kill me, or my elderly parents, but that I should be a carrier, or sicken with the disease but not die. Being agoraphobic and living in the country suddenly has potentially life-saving benefits.
This week though, we Aucklanders will be officially let out of our Covid cages, allowed again to commute and to drink takeaway coffee. Auckland’s ongoing drought, the stock market hacks and California wildfires this week remind us that for all its destruction, Covid isn’t the only show in town.
Today’s polling suggesting that those voters previously uncertain about the cannabis referendum are now trending towards a ‘no’ vote is a disappointing reflection on the conservativism and caution of New Zealand. Maybe we are just not as progressive as we think we are. The scale of the issues in question in this year’s election referenda seem disproportionate, but each significant and important. On the one hand we have euthanasia, and on the other, legal access to a plant. It will be ironic if we vote for the right to die but not to consume marijuana in the privacy of our own homes. I’ll be voting yes for both referenda, and know that regardless of the outcome, certainly the consumption of cannabis will continue to prevail in our society. What’s at stake is the opportunity to destigmatise its use, leading to public health improvements, potentially reduced consumption, fewer burdens on the criminal justice system, -less use of pot-charges as ‘gateway criminalisation’ for young Maori and Pasifika men, and less power in the hands of gangs. The bonus is that poor rural communities who are usually the disproportionate victims of punitive drug laws (and alcohol’s permissiveness), will have the opportunity to develop a new economy from the legal and properly managed sale of cannabis if it’s legalised here for the first time. There is prospect of harm reduction all round.
So while political parties are conservative, cautious, and economically neo-liberal more than they are socially liberal, New Zealanders have a chance to drive policy directly. In cannabis law reform we can continue to put public health first, as we have done with Covid-19, but also support economic recovery for impoverished communities and for the country at large. Reducing social harm, prison costs, health impacts, and supporting economic, social – and environmental resilience and self-sufficiency, are all positive outcomes from a ‘yes’ vote in the cannabis referendum and subsequent legislation. That would be a policy development fit for our times.


thedailyblog--2020-08-30--Dr Liz Gordon: A change of Covid policy: from elimination to containment

Under the ‘ go hard and go fast ’ policy that the government has previously adopted in order to pursue its Covid elimination strategy , opportunities for transmission within the community would be quashed by enforcing a lockdown until no further cases existed .
It was an extraordinarily successful policy leading to zero cases within the community for more than 100 days .
Well done us !
It has now been abandoned in favour of a policy that will now tolerate certain levels of community transmission in order to save economic activity and so people can lead normalised lives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be the behaviour of people and the widespread wearing of masks , underpinned by inexorable contact tracing when cases do emerge .
We therefore now have a Covid policy that will not work as well as the previous policy and is unlikely to lead to a situation of zero cases from now on .
We can expect numbers to start to rise , hopefully quite slowly .
But Aucklanders are now free to roam around the country , and we to roam in Auckland , so it is only a matter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of the country .
That wonderful freedom of not having a deadly virus in our midst will likely soon be gone , even in the South Island .
While I hope we will not face the size of outbreak suffered by our neighbour Australia , whereby the second ‘ wave ’ was so much bigger than the first , this may happen .
While Jacinda has talked of ‘ drawing a circle ’ around the Auckland cluster , this has not , in fact , been achieved .
It is extremely likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been identified as having Covid circulating in the community , unknowingly spreading the virus .
So that ’ s my understanding .
It is a grave turn of events which will almost certainly lead to more Covid deaths in Aotearoa .
I do understand that the Covid is likely to be around for years ( I am not hanging out for a vaccine ) , so I suppose at some point the policy needed to evolve beyond lockdown .
It ’ s just it has seemed to happen very quickly .
There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus as something that we will need to live among and with , that is a long way from the celebration of our Covid freedom from a few weeks ago .
We have moved from the policy of elimination to one of containment .
We now have to wait and see what this will mean for our country for the rest of the year .
Dr Liz Gordon is a researcher and a barrister , with interests in destroying neo-liberalism in all its forms and moving towards a socially just society @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social welfare and education topics .

Under the ‘go hard and go fast’ policy that the government has previously adopted in order to pursue its Covid elimination strategy, opportunities for transmission within the community would be quashed by enforcing a lockdown until no further cases existed. It was an extraordinarily successful policy leading to zero cases within the community for more than 100 days. Well done us!
It has now been abandoned in favour of a policy that will now tolerate certain levels of community transmission in order to save economic activity and so people can lead normalised lives. Instead, the first line of defence will be the behaviour of people and the widespread wearing of masks, underpinned by inexorable contact tracing when cases do emerge.
We therefore now have a Covid policy that will not work as well as the previous policy and is unlikely to lead to a situation of zero cases from now on. We can expect numbers to start to rise, hopefully quite slowly. But Aucklanders are now free to roam around the country, and we to roam in Auckland, so it is only a matter of time until there are cases in different parts of the country.
That wonderful freedom of not having a deadly virus in our midst will likely soon be gone, even in the South Island. While I hope we will not face the size of outbreak suffered by our neighbour Australia, whereby the second ‘wave’ was so much bigger than the first, this may happen.
While Jacinda has talked of ‘drawing a circle’ around the Auckland cluster, this has not, in fact, been achieved. It is extremely likely that there are people who have not been identified as having Covid circulating in the community, unknowingly spreading the virus.
So that’s my understanding. It is a grave turn of events which will almost certainly lead to more Covid deaths in Aotearoa. I do understand that the Covid is likely to be around for years (I am not hanging out for a vaccine), so I suppose at some point the policy needed to evolve beyond lockdown.
It’s just it has seemed to happen very quickly. There is a level of giving in to inevitability of the virus as something that we will need to live among and with, that is a long way from the celebration of our Covid freedom from a few weeks ago.
We have moved from the policy of elimination to one of containment. We now have to wait and see what this will mean for our country for the rest of the year.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Dr Liz Gordon is a researcher and a barrister, with interests in destroying neo-liberalism in all its forms and moving towards a socially just society. She usually blogs on justice, social welfare and education topics.


thedailyblog--2020-08-30--Dreaded news – Covid 19 has broken out in Gaza – Urgent appeal for the government to speak ou

The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa has renewed its call for the government to act urgently after the dreaded news this week that Covid 19 has broken out in the densely-packed community .
On 22 March this year we sent the Prime Minister an open letter asking the government to speak out against the Israeli blockade of Gaza under threat of Covid 19 .
The letter and key signatories are here and include New Zealander of the year and President of Equity New Zealand Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand , Catholic Cardinal John Dew , Islamic Women ’ s Council Spokesperson Anjum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Zealand and Polynesia Philip Richardson .
Despite heroic efforts to keep the virus out of Gaza , in the last few days there has been a serious outbreak of the pandemic in the blockaded enclave where the two million Palestinians are under threat – social distancing is impossible and washing hands regularly is a pipe dream with 97 % of the water unfit to drink .
Last Thursday Gazan health officials said 26 people in several locations had tested positive for COVID-19 and two patients had died .
From the same report… @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gaza Subdelegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross , said hospitals and health centers in the territory did not have sufficient medical equipment and medication for the treatment of COVID-19 patients .
“ The Gaza healthcare system would not be able to deal with more than a few dozen coronavirus patients , ” he said in a statement , calling for more international assistance .
Israeli media today reported that Covid 19 cases in Gaza now number 145 – well past the “ few dozen ” the health authorities there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership in Gaza , the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees , the International Red Cross and Palestinian and Israeli human rights organisations have all called in recent days for Israel to open Gaza ’ s borders to allow fuel and essential medical supplies to enter urgently .
Israel is unmoved .
Gaza is desperately short of Covid 19 testing kits , for example , and containment of the pandemic is impossible without them .
Similarly , hospitals have only a few days of fuel left for their generators , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lives not only of existing patients , but also the many more resulting from the Covid 19 outbreak .
A humanitarian catastrophe is imminent .
We have urged the government to protect the most vulnerable Palestinians by : • Joining with concerned national and international human rights organisations in calling on the Israeli Government to immediately lift the illegal Gaza blockade to allow urgently needed medical supplies and fuel into Gaza , and • Making an immediate urgent humanitarian donation to assist in fighting the Covid 19 outbreak in Gaza .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look the other way , however much the racist Israeli government would like them to .

The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa has renewed its call for the government to act urgently after the dreaded news this week that Covid 19 has broken out in the densely-packed community.
On 22 March this year we sent the Prime Minister an open letter asking the government to speak out against the Israeli blockade of Gaza under threat of Covid 19.
The letter and key signatories are here and include New Zealander of the year and President of Equity New Zealand Jennifer Te Atamira Ward-Lealand, Catholic Cardinal John Dew, Islamic Women’s Council Spokesperson Anjum Rahman and Anglican Bishop of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia Philip Richardson.
Despite heroic efforts to keep the virus out of Gaza, in the last few days there has been a serious outbreak of the pandemic in the blockaded enclave where the two million Palestinians are under threat – social distancing is impossible and washing hands regularly is a pipe dream with 97% of the water unfit to drink.
Last Thursday Gazan health officials said 26 people in several locations had tested positive for COVID-19 and two patients had died. From the same report…
Ignacio Casares Garcia, head of the Gaza Subdelegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said hospitals and health centers in the territory did not have sufficient medical equipment and medication for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
“The Gaza healthcare system would not be able to deal with more than a few dozen coronavirus patients,” he said in a statement, calling for more international assistance.
Israeli media today reported that Covid 19 cases in Gaza now number 145 – well past the “few dozen” the health authorities there are able to deal with.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
The Palestinian leadership in Gaza, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees, the International Red Cross and Palestinian and Israeli human rights organisations have all called in recent days for Israel to open Gaza’s borders to allow fuel and essential medical supplies to enter urgently. Israel is unmoved.
Gaza is desperately short of Covid 19 testing kits, for example, and containment of the pandemic is impossible without them. Similarly, hospitals have only a few days of fuel left for their generators, and Israel has blocked shipments, risking the lives not only of existing patients, but also the many more resulting from the Covid 19 outbreak. A humanitarian catastrophe is imminent.
We have urged the government to protect the most vulnerable Palestinians by:
Joining with concerned national and international human rights organisations in calling on the Israeli Government to immediately lift the illegal Gaza blockade to allow urgently needed medical supplies and fuel into Gaza, and Making an immediate urgent humanitarian donation to assist in fighting the Covid 19 outbreak in Gaza.
It is not possible for New Zealand to look the other way, however much the racist Israeli government would like them to.


thedailyblog--2020-08-30--The Making of the Mosque Murderer

The Making of the Mosque Murderer

The curtain has fallen on a judicial process that has sentenced a characterless creature to life without parole , and yet still the ghost of Voltaire ’ s words hang over the stage ; “ It is forbidden to kill , therefore all murderers are punished , unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.
” Satisfied that we have delivered justice to the Christchurch Mosque victims and loudly proclaiming “ we are one ” with them , nobody seems to consider that we may have played a part in setting the stage for this atrocity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mosque massacres would have been in New Zealand that day had they not fled here from even more terrible destruction , being rained on their homelands by a world superpower , with whom we are closely allied .
New Zealand has been involved in many wars in its short history , very few of which were ever justified by the reasons we were given at the time , but which were actually fought either in the interests of British imperialism then , or US imperialism now .
And many of our new Muslim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call New Zealand home , are here as a direct consequence of it .
When the pilot of the C-130H Hercules that carried its craven cargo to and from the Christchurch court , filled in the plane ’ s logbook , he could have leafed back and seen details of earlier flights which , back then , carried NZ troops to the varied homelands of the Muslim diaspora .
They say Covid19 offers us a good opportunity to reset our economy on a course to an even better future , and so too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if we cared to consider what was happening behind the scenes in the prelude , and fix it .
We are who we are as a consequence of our experience and so it follows ; we know what we know , as a consequence of what we are told .
And so too it must be with the Christchurch Mosque murderer !
With that in mind and considering that which goes to the heart of this matter , our understanding of world geo-political affairs , it ’ s clear we have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the late Justice Mahon ; “ a litany of lies !
” From war with the Maori , to the Boer war , WW1 , to Fiji and Samoa , to the Korean war , Malaya , Vietnam , Iraq , Afghanistan and Syria , to our support for Israel ’ s brutal suppression of the Palestinians , to the so-called “ war on terror , and now Venezuela , China and Russia , our attitudes have been meticulously moulded by a particular view presented to us by the media .
Where else @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respected peace advocate Professor Noam Chomsky , author of “ Manufacturing Consent , ” which details how the media invents the many “ truths ” we hold dear , says we live in a society in which freedom of speech is indeed sacrosanct but , says Chomsky , only within certain clearly defined parameters , outside of which we must not look .
And so we might have continued to travel , smugly self-assured in the belief that our society and culture is the most righteous and that but for a variety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go depending on the situation , everyone could live as we do .
A fairy tale that was exposed with the arrival of the Internet which suddenly laid bare the myriad falsehoods that have , to date , underpinned our understanding of the world and kept us , especially the poorest among us , cruelly subjugated .
And , based on meticulously gathered evidence , it ’ s clear the Mosque murderer was also influenced by the media ’ s incessant anti-Muslim propaganda , not to mention both the Australian and New Zealand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their military involvement Where else were his views formed from ?
None of which should in any way be interpreted as a plea on behalf of a justly convicted murderer , but rather as an attempt to point out that in times of heightened tensions everything rises , including that of men ’ s most base behaviours .
And none of that will change until we rid ourselves of any alliance with a state whose primary objective is waging war itself , for the purpose of plundering another nation ’ s assets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive that Voltaire was right .
As long as our Government is guided by a brand of political pragmatism , measured only by the test of what best serves our economic interest , and not by one based on the principle that recognizes we are all one on this little planet , then how can we ever really consider ourselves kind ?
But nothing will change as long as our media , owned , either wholly or in part , by those who profit from war , which President Eisenhower called “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do with it – unless we fight .

The curtain has fallen on a judicial process that has sentenced a characterless creature to life without parole, and yet still the ghost of Voltaire’s words hang over the stage; “It is forbidden to kill, therefore all murderers are punished, unless they kill in large numbers and to the sound of trumpets.”
Satisfied that we have delivered justice to the Christchurch Mosque victims and loudly proclaiming “we are one” with them, nobody seems to consider that we may have played a part in setting the stage for this atrocity.
Few victims of the pitiless Christchurch Mosque massacres would have been in New Zealand that day had they not fled here from even more terrible destruction, being rained on their homelands by a world superpower, with whom we are closely allied.
New Zealand has been involved in many wars in its short history, very few of which were ever justified by the reasons we were given at the time, but which were actually fought either in the interests of British imperialism then, or US imperialism now.
And many of our new Muslim refugee brothers and sisters, who now call New Zealand home, are here as a direct consequence of it.
When the pilot of the C-130H Hercules that carried its craven cargo to and from the Christchurch court, filled in the plane’s logbook, he could have leafed back and seen details of earlier flights which, back then, carried NZ troops to the varied homelands of the Muslim diaspora.
They say Covid19 offers us a good opportunity to reset our economy on a course to an even better future, and so too could the tragedy of the Mosque massacres, if we cared to consider what was happening behind the scenes in the prelude, and fix it.
We are who we are as a consequence of our experience and so it follows; we know what we know, as a consequence of what we are told. And so too it must be with the Christchurch Mosque murderer!
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
With that in mind and considering that which goes to the heart of this matter, our understanding of world geo-political affairs, it’s clear we have been persistently told, in the words of the late Justice Mahon; “a litany of lies!”
From war with the Maori, to the Boer war, WW1, to Fiji and Samoa, to the Korean war, Malaya, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, to our support for Israel’s brutal suppression of the Palestinians, to the so-called “war on terror, and now Venezuela, China and Russia, our attitudes have been meticulously moulded by a particular view presented to us by the media.
Where else has our understanding come from?
World respected peace advocate Professor Noam Chomsky, author of “Manufacturing Consent,” which details how the media invents the many “truths” we hold dear, says we live in a society in which freedom of speech is indeed sacrosanct but, says Chomsky, only within certain clearly defined parameters, outside of which we must not look.
And so we might have continued to travel, smugly self-assured in the belief that our society and culture is the most righteous and that but for a variety of evil foreign forces, which come and go depending on the situation, everyone could live as we do.
The fact is that’s a fairy tale!
A fairy tale that was exposed with the arrival of the Internet which suddenly laid bare the myriad falsehoods that have, to date, underpinned our understanding of the world and kept us, especially the poorest among us, cruelly subjugated.
And, based on meticulously gathered evidence, it’s clear the Mosque murderer was also influenced by the media’s incessant anti-Muslim propaganda, not to mention both the Australian and New Zealand governments’ support for it, implicit in their military involvement
Where else were his views formed from?
None of which should in any way be interpreted as a plea on behalf of a justly convicted murderer, but rather as an attempt to point out that in times of heightened tensions everything rises, including that of men’s most base behaviours.
And none of that will change until we rid ourselves of any alliance with a state whose primary objective is waging war itself, for the purpose of plundering another nation’s assets to secure its global hegemony – proof positive that Voltaire was right.
As long as our Government is guided by a brand of political pragmatism, measured only by the test of what best serves our economic interest, and not by one based on the principle that recognizes we are all one on this little planet, then how can we ever really consider ourselves kind?
But nothing will change as long as our media, owned, either wholly or in part, by those who profit from war, which President Eisenhower called “The Military Industrial Complex,” has anything to do with it – unless we fight.
Kia Kaha