thedailyblog--2020-08-08--Droning mercilessly on . . . and on – Israeli surveillance and terror

For Palestinian in Gaza , living with an almost non-stop air raid atmosphere , life is never peaceful or normal .
The children describe the constant sound of Israeli drones as scary , and adults find their invasive and intolerably routine presence downright painful .
Mothers fret for their children under the constant noise , that goes on even at night .
For Israel , the world ’ s biggest exporter of these population-control military machines , the testing of spy drones in Gaza brings great profit .
The military application is paramount – so much so that as drone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli Air Force flights .
Among Gaza ’ s residents , there is the constant apprehension and fear of imminent air strike .
They happen without warning .
A 14-year-old boy and his friend were killed in such a strike .
The mother of one of the boys tells of the stress she feels now because of her other children ‘ s terror at the sound of approaching Israeli drones .
On 21 July , close to Hebron , two Palestinian boys ( aged 11 and 14 ) were burned , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fallen from an aircraft during an Israeli military training exercise .
The device burst into flames when handled by one of the boys .
There is a grim record of airborne Israeli aggression in Lebanon .
For instance , in 2006 , the Qana air strike , carried out on a building near the Lebanese village of Qana , resulted in the death of 28 civilians , of whom 16 were children .
Last month , the Israeli Air Force Commander , Amiram Norkin , admitted to carrying out air strikes in Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ally , the US , shares the Zionist regime ’ s contempt for other people ’ s air space .
A US warplane , taking off from a US air base in Syria on 23 July , intercepted a Mahan Air passenger plane in Lebanese air space , coming as close as 1,000 metres , terrorising passengers and crew .
In air space subject to Air Traffic Control ( ATC ) under International Civil Aviation Organisation ( ICAO ) rules , aircraft are bound to remain separated , laterally by no less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some passengers were able to capture images of the US jet fighter and Captain Bill Urban , US Senior Central Command spokesman , admitted that the F-15 did close in , to 1,000 metres from the airliner .
In what was described by the Wall Street Journal as an “ intercept ” , the pilot of the Mahan Air plane radioed the F-15 to warn that a safe distance was not being kept – but to no avail .
He then took evasive action and descended rapidly , landing shortly afterwards in Lebanon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were injured in the incident .
In this example , the US imposes an air base in the territory of another tate and then harasses a scheduled flight by a civil airliner in the airspace of yet another sovereign country .
Richard Silverstein , writing in his publication Tikun Olam , reports a confidential highly-informed Israeli source informing him that it was Israeli agents that had unwittingly triggered the massive explosion that devastated Beirut , after planting and detonating a bomb in a Hezbollah weapons depot at the port .
The informer told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israeli Intelligence negligence in evaluating the target .
There have been Israeli bombings in Lebanon , both before and since Israel ’ s 1982 invasion .
Ronen Bergman , writing on Mossad assassinations and Remy Brulin , on the bombing campaigns in the 1980s , have both provided much evidence of violations of sovereignty .
Of course , the world should never forget that , in 1982 , a commission of inquiry found Ariel Sharon culpable for the invasion of Lebanon and the massacre at Sabra and Shatila .
Whether or not Israel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we may never know but Silverstein leaves us with further circumstantial evidence worth bearing in mind – he writes : “ Normally , if Israel has undertaken a successful terror attack ( such as those against Iran ) it will either refuse to comment or a senior military or political figure will say something like : While we refuse to comment , whoever did it did the world a favour .
In this case , Israel immediately denied responsibility .
Even Hezbollah supposedly said Israel hadn ’ t caused the damage ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will fall upon it for storing its weapons next to a building filled with explosive material ) .
” Population control is a Zionist obsession and the ideology ’ s ambition can not be realised without it .
In the UK , answers to Parliamentary Questions issued by the British Government , another self-declared ally of Israel , indirectly admit that Israel violates international law by oppressing civilians .
For example , concerning the destruction of Palestinian homes and the heartless restriction of Palestinian home-building imposed by Israel in the West Bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this to say , 13 July : “ The UK is concerned by the continued demolition of Palestinian property by Israeli authorities.
” Admitting that they are “ contrary to International Humanitarian Law ” , the Parliamentary response conceded that “ the practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians .
.
.
” On 3 August , the Israeli Occupation forced two residents to destroy their own homes in Silwan and Jabal al-Makkabir – or otherwise be forced to pay an extortionate sum to the Israeli Occupation demolition squads , who would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is outrageous that Israel should be allowed , without being brought to account , to dictate to Palestinian residents in their own homeland , how and where they should build their homes .
Every aspect of Palestinian life is under threat from Israel , especially agriculture .
In another Parliamentary answer , the UK Government admitted as much , saying : “ .
.
.
we are troubled by reports of assaults on farmers and vandalism of agricultural land.
” HM Government then lamely added : “ We continue to stress the importance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection to the Palestinian civilian population.
” This last comment reveal the cruel truth that Israel ’ s allies regard the Zionist regime as the sole determiner of the Palestinian people ‘ s future .
As the Government spokesman added , in response to another question : “ We have no plans to sanction members of the Government of Israel.
” New Zealanders should be aware of the company our own Government keeps , the state-sponsored crimes it ignores and bear in mind the existence of the alternative , non-aligned , fraternity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed a total of 51 Gaza ceasefire violations , including two air strikes and five incursions , while the Palestinian Resistance carried out just one violation , firing three missiles towards the Green Line .
This month , up until 3 August , there was another Palestinian ceasefire violation , comprising just one missile-launching while , in the same first three days of this month , Israel had already made four air strikes on Gaza , launching eight missiles into the community .
From 21 July to 3 August , the Israeli Army @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well and two homes .
Occupation forces also carried out 12 night-time home invasion raids in UN refugee camps , as well as 62 overnight raids in West Bank towns and villages .
Acts of racist settler vandalism and violence included arson attacks and agricultural sabotage , the poisoning and killing of over 60-head of Palestinian livestock and land-grabs .
Our news media studiously ignored the US air force threat to an airliner and wanton invasion of sovereign airspace .
Had an invasion of airspace and disregard for the safety of airline passengers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia or Iran , the news media headlines would have been full of outrage and calls for sanctions against the perpetrators .
Similarly , the news media ignores the daily suffering of the militarily-occupied and mercilessly controlled population of Palestine .
Why ?
Because our ‘ traditional allies ’ and Five Eyes partners side with Israel .
The BDS movement appeals to the world community to recognise the plight of the Palestinian people who look to the world community to enforce respect for international humanitarian law .
As MFAT tells us : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world ’ s attention to the need for collective action on human rights .
When the UN Charter was drafted in 1945 , New Zealand was one of a small number of countries that successfully lobbied for human rights to be included .
This led to the first comprehensive international agreement on human rights – the Universal Declaration on Human Rights – adopted in 1948 .
The Declaration stated ‘ All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
’ Our International Human Rights Action Plan identifies where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive difference on global human rights issues.
” Earlier this year , the NZ Government and the Government of the State of Israel signed an Agreement on Co-operation in Technological Innovation , Research and Development .
Under the Agreement , Callaghan Innovation and the Israel Innovation Authority ( an Israeli state-funded agency ) will develop and run business-matching services and announcing that “ funding for New Zealand firms will be drawn from Research and Development Project Grants administered by Callaghan Innovation.
” How does this arrangement with Israel stand with our claim that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identifies where we will show global leadership and make a positive difference on global human rights issues.
” How does it compare with BDS ?
MFAT also tells us : “ New Zealand takes an active role in peace , human rights and security initiatives , advocating for rules that curb armed conflict , halt the spread of dangerous weaponry and promote universal rights and freedoms.
” If only !
New Zealand is choosing instead to cover for Israel and align , for material gain , with its state-funded business agency .
Accordingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are are keeping a silence that betrays the victims of Israeli oppression and endangers the future survival of rules-based international law .
Stop Israeli killer drones .

For Palestinians in Gaza, living with an almost non-stop air raid atmosphere, life is never peaceful or normal. The children describe the constant sound of Israeli drones as scary, and adults find their invasive and intolerably routine presence downright painful. Mothers fret for their children under the constant noise, that goes on even at night. For Israel, the world’s biggest exporter of these population-control military machines, the testing of spy drones in Gaza brings great profit. The military application is paramount – so much so that as drone operations now make up 80% of Israeli Air Force flights. Among Gaza’s residents, there is the constant apprehension and fear of imminent air strikes. They happen without warning. A 14-year-old boy and his friend were killed in such a strike. The mother of one of the boys tells of the stress she feels now because of her other children‘s terror at the sound of approaching Israeli drones.
On 21 July, close to Hebron, two Palestinian boys (aged 11 and 14) were burned, one of them severely, after an object had fallen from an aircraft during an Israeli military training exercise. The device burst into flames when handled by one of the boys.
Lebanon
There is a grim record of airborne Israeli aggression in Lebanon. For instance, in 2006, the Qana air strike, carried out on a building near the Lebanese village of Qana, resulted in the deaths of 28 civilians, of whom 16 were children. Last month, the Israeli Air Force Commander, Amiram Norkin, admitted to carrying out air strikes in Lebanon and Israel’s chief and unconditional ally, the US, shares the Zionist regime’s contempt for other people’s air space. A US warplane, taking off from a US air base in Syria on 23 July, intercepted a Mahan Air passenger plane in Lebanese air space, coming as close as 1,000 metres, terrorising passengers and crew. In air space subject to Air Traffic Control (ATC) under International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) rules, aircraft are bound to remain separated, laterally by no less than three miles (five kilometres). Some passengers were able to capture images of the US jet fighter and Captain Bill Urban, US Senior Central Command spokesman, admitted that the F-15 did close in, to 1,000 metres from the airliner.
In what was described by the Wall Street Journal as an “intercept”, the pilot of the Mahan Air plane radioed the F-15 to warn that a safe distance was not being kept – but to no avail. He then took evasive action and descended rapidly, landing shortly afterwards in Lebanon. Several passengers on the Iranian airliner were injured in the incident. In this example, the US imposes an air base in the territory of another state and then harasses a scheduled flight by a civil airliner in the airspace of yet another sovereign country.
Beirut port explosion
Richard Silverstein, writing in his publication Tikun Olam, reports a confidential highly-informed Israeli source informing him that it was Israeli agents that had unwittingly triggered the massive explosion that devastated Beirut, after planting and detonating a bomb in a Hezbollah weapons depot at the port. The informer told Silverstein that the tragedy was due to Israeli Intelligence negligence in evaluating the target. There have been Israeli bombings in Lebanon, both before and since Israel’s 1982 invasion. Ronen Bergman, writing on Mossad assassinations and Remy Brulin, on the bombing campaigns in the 1980s, have both provided much evidence of violations of sovereignty. Of course, the world should never forget that, in 1982, a commission of inquiry found Ariel Sharon culpable for the invasion of Lebanon and the massacres at Sabra and Shatila.
Whether or not Israel was responsible for causing the Beirut disaster, we may never know but Silverstein leaves us with further circumstantial evidence worth bearing in mind – he writes: “Normally, if Israel has undertaken a successful terror attack (such as those against Iran) it will either refuse to comment or a senior military or political figure will say something like: While we refuse to comment, whoever did it did the world a favour. In this case, Israel immediately denied responsibility. Even Hezbollah supposedly said Israel hadn’t caused the damage (likely protecting itself from the inevitable blame that will fall upon it for storing its weapons next to a building filled with explosive material).”
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
Population control
Population control is a Zionist obsession and the ideology’s ambition cannot be realised without it. In the UK, answers to Parliamentary Questions issued by the British Government, another self-declared ally of Israel, indirectly admit that Israel violates international law by oppressing civilians. For example, concerning the destruction of Palestinian homes and the heartless restriction of Palestinian home-building imposed by Israel in the West Bank, Her Majesty‘s Government had this to say, 13 July: “The UK is concerned by the continued demolition of Palestinian property by Israeli authorities.” Admitting that they are “contrary to International Humanitarian Law”, the Parliamentary response conceded that “the practice causes unnecessary suffering to ordinary Palestinians . . .”
On 3 August, the Israeli Occupation forced two residents to destroy their own homes in Silwan and Jabal al-Makkabir – or otherwise be forced to pay an extortionate sum to the Israeli Occupation demolition squads, who would be sent in to do it. It is outrageous that Israel should be allowed, without being brought to account, to dictate to Palestinian residents in their own homeland, how and where they should build their homes.
Every aspect of Palestinian life is under threat from Israel, especially agriculture. In another Parliamentary answer,the UK Government admitted as much, saying: “. . . we are troubled by reports of assaults on farmers and vandalism of agricultural land.” HM Government then lamely added: “We continue to stress the importance of the Israeli security forces providing appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population.” This last comment reveals the cruel truth that Israel’s allies regard the Zionist regime as the sole determiner of the Palestinian people‘s future. As the Government spokesman added, in response to another question: “We have no plans to sanction members of the Government of Israel.” New Zealanders should be aware of the company our own Government keeps, the state-sponsored crimes it ignores and bear in mind the existence of the alternative, non-aligned, fraternity of states worldwide.
Recent news from Palestine
In July, Israel committed a total of 51 Gaza ceasefire violations, including two air strikes and five incursions, while the Palestinian Resistance carried out just one violation, firing three missiles towards the Green Line. This month, up until 3 August, there was another Palestinian ceasefire violation, comprising just one missile-launching while, in the same first three days of this month, Israel had already made four air strikes on Gaza, launching eight missiles into the community.
From 21 July to 3 August, the Israeli Army destroyed 220 Palestinian olive trees, a well and two homes. Occupation forces also carried out 12 night-time home invasion raids in UN refugee camps, as well as 62 overnight raids in West Bank towns and villages. Acts of racist settler vandalism and violence included arson attacks and agricultural sabotage, the poisoning and killing of over 60-head of Palestinian livestock and land-grabs.
Our news media studiously ignored the US air force threat to an airliner and wanton invasion of sovereign airspace. Had an invasion of airspace and disregard for the safety of airline passengers been committed by, for instance, Russia or Iran, the news media headlines would have been full of outrage and calls for sanctions against the perpetrators. Similarly, the news media ignores the daily suffering of the militarily-occupied and mercilessly controlled population of Palestine. Why? Because our ‘traditional allies’ and Five Eyes partners side with Israel.
MFAT
The BDS movement appeals to the world community to recognise the plight of the Palestinian people who look to the world community to enforce respect for international humanitarian law. As MFAT tells us:
“Atrocities committed during World War II drew the world’s attention to the need for collective action on human rights. When the UN Charter was drafted in 1945, New Zealand was one of a small number of countries that successfully lobbied for human rights to be included. This led to the first comprehensive international agreement on human rights – the Universal Declaration on Human Rights – adopted in 1948. The Declaration stated ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.’ Our International Human Rights Action Plan identifies where we will show global leadership and make a positive difference on global human rights issues.”
Earlier this year, the NZ Government and the Government of the State of Israel signed an Agreement on Co-operation in Technological Innovation, Research and Development. Under the Agreement, Callaghan Innovation and the Israel Innovation Authority (an Israeli state-funded agency) will develop and run business-matching services and announcing that “funding for New Zealand firms will be drawn from Research and Development Project Grants administered by Callaghan Innovation.” How does this arrangement with Israel stand with our claim that “Our International Human Rights Action Plan identifies where we will show global leadership and make a positive difference on global human rights issues.” How does it compare with BDS?


thedailyblog--2020-08-09--Dr Liz Gordon: The Covid election

Dr Liz Gordon: The Covid election

So it has come to pass that this election has been anointed , by our great leader , the Covid election .
And it is further declared that the Covid will be served up with a range of piquant sauces in small quantities to delight the senses .
Perhaps a little pinch of education there , a health sauce and a side of employment assistance .
There are at least three factors at play here .
The first one is the need to keep New Zealand as a little oasis of paradise free of the rampant virus sweeping the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , increasing throughout Europe and parts of Asia and rampant in the Americas .
Politically , this translates into a message to New Zealanders that , as someone once said , “ the price of safety is eternal vigilance ” .
And our government ’ s record to date on this is unmatched , and continued messaging is reassuring .
Very handily , we have the Victoria case close to home to show us what happens when we , as a nation , relax our guard .
The second factor is the known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once said ( a mantra for the ages ) that “ The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again , but expecting different results.
” The flip side of this is that doing the same things again , when they have worked incredibly well , is just very sane .
Finally , just getting political here , why would you not campaign on a record that is superb and world-leading .
Getting into policies in any depth risks people who support Labour and would vote for them on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform .
Every time Jacinda plays the Covid card , she looks virtuous .
For some reason , Judith Collins has morphed into Simon Bridges , sending negative little snipes back to everything that Jacinda says .
Can I say to Judith , in the school playground , when the bully starts attacking the most popular girl in school , who is she really going to persuade ?
A change in tactics is warranted here .
There are other reminders that Labour is the virtuous choice this election .
There seems to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zealand chief executives calling on the government to privatise the isolation .
Honestly , these neoliberal types want to suck profit out of everything , don ’ t they .
Don ’ t listen to them Jacinda !
I thought there was a chance a few weeks ago that Judith would come riding in on her horse and change the course of the election .
You , dear readers , pooh poohed me and it looks like you were right and I was wrong .
I humbly withdraw !
She has been able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the growing threat of a second wave of Covid will keep this government firmly in place .
There is a small threat every day that a security guard , hotel worker , police or army person might get the virus and take it home .
If this were to lead to a Victoria-style outbreak now , and numbers started rising fast before the election ( and especially if it happened in , say , Auckland and Christchurch ) , the unassailable lead that Labour has could erode to something less .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the messages coming out every day about the need to be careful show this to be the case .
Also the “ it will happen ” mantra , to prepare us for such a shock .
Losing our Covid-free status would be a terrible blow in every way .
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 .

So it has come to pass that this election has been anointed, by our great leader, the Covid election. And it is further declared that the Covid will be served up with a range of piquant sauces in small quantities to delight the senses. Perhaps a little pinch of education there, a health sauce and a side of employment assistance.
There are at least three factors at play here. The first one is the need to keep New Zealand as a little oasis of paradise free of the rampant virus sweeping the world. The numbers internationally are not good, increasing throughout Europe and parts of Asia and rampant in the Americas. Politically, this translates into a message to New Zealanders that, as someone once said, “the price of safety is eternal vigilance”. And our government’s record to date on this is unmatched, and continued messaging is reassuring.
Very handily, we have the Victoria case close to home to show us what happens when we, as a nation, relax our guard.
The second factor is the known is better than the unknown. Einstein once said (a mantra for the ages) that “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” The flip side of this is that doing the same things again, when they have worked incredibly well, is just very sane.
Finally, just getting political here, why would you not campaign on a record that is superb and world-leading. Getting into policies in any depth risks people who support Labour and would vote for them on Covid, rejecting them on a policy platform.
Every time Jacinda plays the Covid card, she looks virtuous. For some reason, Judith Collins has morphed into Simon Bridges, sending negative little snipes back to everything that Jacinda says. Can I say to Judith, in the school playground, when the bully starts attacking the most popular girl in school, who is she really going to persuade? A change in tactics is warranted here.
There are other reminders that Labour is the virtuous choice this election. There seems to be a boys club of ex- Air New Zealand chief executives calling on the government to privatise the isolation. Honestly, these neoliberal types want to suck profit out of everything, don’t they. Don’t listen to them Jacinda!
I thought there was a chance a few weeks ago that Judith would come riding in on her horse and change the course of the election. You, dear readers, pooh poohed me and it looks like you were right and I was wrong. I humbly withdraw! She has been able to make no traction at all, and the growing threat of a second wave of Covid will keep this government firmly in place.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
There is a small threat every day that a security guard, hotel worker, police or army person might get the virus and take it home. If this were to lead to a Victoria-style outbreak now, and numbers started rising fast before the election (and especially if it happened in, say, Auckland and Christchurch), the unassailable lead that Labour has could erode to something less. They must be nervous about this, and the messages coming out every day about the need to be careful show this to be the case. Also the “it will happen” mantra, to prepare us for such a shock. Losing our Covid-free status would be a terrible blow in every way.
Let’s therefore hope for a delightfully Covid free Covid election.
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--2020-08-09--National Debacle Over Stripper Allegations Shows Trajectory Party Is On

There are bad news cycles , there are poor news weeks lacking in cut-through – and then there ’ s whatever ’ s happening with the Opposition .
Wherein they ’ ve transcended mere mediocrity to start showing their true colours in the most inadvertent and unintentional of ways , splashed across our headlines .
The weekend ’ s revelation that some in National are reportedly attempting to torpedo their own potential candidate in Auckland Central by claiming she ’ s a former stripper , is by now about par for the course for the party .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really more of a ‘ new middle ’ .
And pretty emblematic all-up of where the National Party is at at this point in the campaign .
Quite a number of them are so focused on scrabbling for their own individual simulacrum of success that they ’ re doing ridiculous things which don ’ t help the party – and therefore , in the real sense , undermine their own potential future prospects .
Rumours , muckraking , and invented attacks on rivals – internal to your own party or otherwise – are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfortunately .
Although it ’ s rare that they ever serve anything other than the most petty and personal of motivations .
In this case , it ’ s a pretty bad look on just about every score .
The party which has been attempting to brand itself as the vehicle for glass-ceiling penetrating , aspirational liberal feminism and women-in-power-ment … is having a localized meltdown because party members presumably in favour of one up-and-coming female candidate are trying to take down the other female candidate by spreading rumours the latter ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in National , it would seem , means that the women just as much as the men get their opportunity to take pot shots at women in pursuit of their own personal advancement .
Now to be fair and sure , this isn ’ t a phenomenon exclusive to National – nor is it , for that matter , a proclivity exclusive to politics .
Yet as the National Party ’ s prospects for power diminish as we close upon the Election , their propensity for fighting ever more frantically for what skerricks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to immerse itself in and hide behind .
The only thing we can see about them – isn ’ t the fools ’ gold lustre of faked progress on GDP or housing stats or purportedly vital road construction ( or tunnel costings ) .
It ’ s just them as they actually are .
Nakedly self-interested invertebrates who ’ ll quite happily sell their own grandmother for the illusory prospect of power , and cook their own goose amidst the duck-shoving to even have a semi-shot at its attainment .
In a healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the self-confidence to feel secure in possessing principle – this sort of allegation doesn ’ t tend to happen .
It ’ s usually only when the desperation kicks in , the poison of despair begins to make all manner of previously morally turgid avenues seem palatable , that we see this kind of conduct happening in earnest .
It would therefore be tempting to file this alongside Judith Collins ’ weaponized dobbing in of Iain Lees-Galloway just recently ; however this is something else .
And not only because there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth to the claims made against Samarakone , the National candidate in question .
Rather , it is because whereas Collins ’ quip against Lees-Galloway was a sideswipe across the aisle – this is something that is intra-party , yet turning up outside of the party because the famed National Party internal discipline which usually has all the troops facing the same way even in pressing circumstances has begun to break down in earnest .
Facing the same way does not , of course , mean that knives aren ’ t also pressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of you , of course – and that is something we ’ ve seen at least once in the past few months at the very highest levels of the party .
But I suspect that , in concert with Collins ’ moves to marginalize a few other people in the Party , we are beginning to see National descend into the sort of factional infighting which plagued Labour for much of the nine years it spent in Opposition .
This is particularly the case given the implicit additional target of the attacks upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goodfellow .
The infighting therefore , will assumedly be going well beyond the relatively small-scale selection battle over a single now-marginal seat , and may continue to exert a corrosive effect upon National ’ s interior administration and governance for some time to come .
That may not necessarily be fatal for them in the longer term , of course – as we saw between 2002 and 2005 , the roiling chaos which engulfed the party following its worst-ever election result facilitated the rise of one Don Brash , and the re-invigoration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So who knows how things will play out over the next three years .
They might even manage to get near 40 % … eventually .
Still , I must express my sympathy for Samarakone in this situation .
As a younger man , I had not entirely dissimilar underhanded maneuvers and rumour-spreading-for-tactical- nukery carried out against me .
Some of it was even semi-true !
But fortunately in my case , most of it took place behind closed doors and as whispers in ears to subtly influence things ( up until it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a pretty horrible feeling for her to have these sorts of increasingly lurid allegations blared across the headlines .
And not least because it makes her the villain for daring to stand up to the faceless ‘ whispering campaign ’ by refuting it , bringing in legal sanction to get it to actually stop , and then having somebody leak that that ’ s what she ’ s doing .
Because then it ’ s perceptibly ‘ on her ’ that there ’ s bad publicity and ‘ oxygen ’ as to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it fair to say that National is not so much starting the campaign in Auckland Central on the back foot – as actively underwater .
And when you are in it up to your eyeballs , it is occasionally good advice to close your mouth .
As a party , I mean .
People might inadvertently adduce something as to your character from what you say otherwise .

There are bad news cycles, there are poor news weeks lacking in cut-through – and then there’s whatever’s happening with the Opposition. Wherein they’ve transcended mere mediocrity to start showing their true colours in the most inadvertent and unintentional of ways, splashed across our headlines.
The weekend’s revelation that some in National are reportedly attempting to torpedo their own potential candidate in Auckland Central by claiming she’s a former stripper, is by now about par for the course for the party. It’s hardly a ‘new low’ – really more of a ‘new middle’.
And pretty emblematic all-up of where the National Party is at at this point in the campaign. Quite a number of them are so focused on scrabbling for their own individual simulacrum of success that they’re doing ridiculous things which don’t help the party – and therefore, in the real sense, undermine their own potential future prospects.
Rumours, muckraking, and invented attacks on rivals – internal to your own party or otherwise – are part and parcel of party politics, unfortunately. Although it’s rare that they ever serve anything other than the most petty and personal of motivations.
In this case, it’s a pretty bad look on just about every score. The party which has been attempting to brand itself as the vehicle for glass-ceiling penetrating , aspirational liberal feminism and women-in-power-ment … is having a localized meltdown because party members presumably in favour of one up-and-coming female candidate are trying to take down the other female candidate by spreading rumours the latter’s a stripper and sex-scandal-implosion liability.
Feminism in National, it would seem, means that the women just as much as the men get their opportunity to take pot shots at women in pursuit of their own personal advancement.
Now to be fair and sure, this isn’t a phenomenon exclusive to National – nor is it, for that matter, a proclivity exclusive to politics.
Yet as the National Party’s prospects for power diminish as we close upon the Election, their propensity for fighting ever more frantically for what skerricks of potentiality remain has little actual success to immerse itself in and hide behind.
TDB Recommends NewzEngine.com
The only thing we can see about them – isn’t the fools’ gold lustre of faked progress on GDP or housing stats or purportedly vital road construction (or tunnel costings). It’s just them as they actually are. Nakedly self-interested invertebrates who’ll quite happily sell their own grandmother for the illusory prospect of power, and cook their own goose amidst the duck-shoving to even have a semi-shot at its attainment.
In a healthy political environment, and when one has the self-confidence to feel secure in possessing principle – this sort of allegation doesn’t tend to happen. It’s usually only when the desperation kicks in, the poison of despair begins to make all manner of previously morally turgid avenues seem palatable, that we see this kind of conduct happening in earnest.
It would therefore be tempting to file this alongside Judith Collins’ weaponized dobbing in of Iain Lees-Galloway just recently; however this is something else. And not only because there’s nothing to suggest there’s any truth to the claims made against Samarakone, the National candidate in question.
Rather, it is because whereas Collins’ quip against Lees-Galloway was a sideswipe across the aisle – this is something that is intra-party, yet turning up outside of the party because the famed National Party internal discipline which usually has all the troops facing the same way even in pressing circumstances has begun to break down in earnest.
Facing the same way does not, of course, mean that knives aren’t also pressed into the backs of those immediately ahead of you, of course – and that is something we’ve seen at least once in the past few months at the very highest levels of the party. But I suspect that, in concert with Collins’ moves to marginalize a few other people in the Party, we are beginning to see National descend into the sort of factional infighting which plagued Labour for much of the nine years it spent in Opposition.
This is particularly the case given the implicit additional target of the attacks upon Samarakone is National Party President, Peter Goodfellow. The infighting therefore, will assumedly be going well beyond the relatively small-scale selection battle over a single now-marginal seat , and may continue to exert a corrosive effect upon National’s interior administration and governance for some time to come.
That may not necessarily be fatal for them in the longer term, of course – as we saw between 2002 and 2005, the roiling chaos which engulfed the party following its worst-ever election result facilitated the rise of one Don Brash, and the re-invigoration of National from not-even-also-ran to almost-government status.
So who knows how things will play out over the next three years. They might even manage to get near 40% … eventually.
Still, I must express my sympathy for Samarakone in this situation. As a younger man, I had not entirely dissimilar underhanded maneuvers and rumour-spreading-for-tactical- nukery carried out against me. Some of it was even semi-true! But fortunately in my case, most of it took place behind closed doors and as whispers in ears to subtly influence things (up until it didn’t). It must be a pretty horrible feeling for her to have these sorts of increasingly lurid allegations blared across the headlines.
And not least because it makes her the villain for daring to stand up to the faceless ‘whispering campaign’ by refuting it, bringing in legal sanction to get it to actually stop, and then having somebody leak that that’s what she’s doing. Because then it’s perceptibly ‘on her’ that there’s bad publicity and ‘oxygen’ as to the matter.
In any case, I think it fair to say that National is not so much starting the campaign in Auckland Central on the back foot – as actively underwater. And when you are in it up to your eyeballs, it is occasionally good advice to close your mouth. As a party, I mean. People might inadvertently adduce something as to your character from what you say otherwise.


thedailyblog--2020-08-11--The “Childish Brutality” Of The National Party

IF YOU ’ RE THINKING that , lately , something strange has happened to the National Party , then , clearly , you don ’ t know the Nats !
Just read the following passage from Bill Sutch ’ s incomparable history , The Quest For Security In New Zealand 1840 to 1966 : “ The naïve , the almost childish brutality , with which the chiefs of the National Party fell upon power [ in 1949 ] may seem quite surprising , ” wrote Dr J. C. Beaglehole in 1961 , “ until one remembers how famished for power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innocency of experience they faced the world about them … One does not mean that Mr Holland and his subordinates ( lieutenants ?
– most of them looked like subordinates ) went down personally to Government Buildings and kicked the bodies of public servants .
Some of them were obviously not as bad as their leader … Yet the insensitiveness to administrative delicacies , the conviction that all you had to do to make the pound go ‘ further ’ was to take your hand off it , that the main thing needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department , was quite appalling.
” They were equally famished in 2008 when , after nine insufferable years of Labour-led Government under Helen Clark , they once again “ fell upon power ” like hungry wolves .
At a function I attended in the weeks after the 2008 election I found myself seated at the same table as one of National ’ s newly-elected MPs .
When it comes to politicians , I am not easily astonished , but when I heard the stock response this person gave to polite questions about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now , I suppose we should give this novice MP some credit for their honesty .
Because there is very little room for doubt that they were speaking truthfully .
They really didn ’ t give a fuck about policy , or the concerns of well-informed members of the public , or the criticisms of journalists , or the accusations of their political opponents .
It was written all over this appalling person ’ s face : “ We have the power now and you don ’ t .
We can do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a damn thing you can do about it.
” And that ’ s it .
That ’ s all you really need to know about the people who stand for the National Party and are duly returned by electorates where not giving a fuck about people unlike themselves is so ingrained that a novice MP could voice their prejudices without the slightest sign of embarrassment .
( A year or two later , having learned the wisdom of guarding their tongue in the presence of strangers , this same MP had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncomfortable when they were introduced to me a second time . )
People who are unaware of the “ childish brutality ” of the typical National Party politician have expressed dismay at the behaviour of the party ’ s latest leader , Judith Collins .
They wince at the delight she so obviously takes in the language of intimidation , domination , humiliation and – let ’ s face it – violence .
Political leaders are supposed to reject such crudity in favour of a more measured and responsible tone .
Collins would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s first Prime Minister – the Sid Holland anathematised by Dr Beaglehole – measured and responsible ?
Was the pugnacious Rob Muldoon ?
What passes for ideological debate in the National Party consists mainly of arguments about the extent to which the “ childish brutality ” of its members and voters should be hidden from the wider New Zealand electorate .
The “ liberal ” wing of the party insists that crudity and brutality rapidly wears out its electoral welcome .
Rather than turn to the Hollands , Muldoons and Jenny Shipleys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turn to the Keith Holyoakes , Jim Bolgers and John Keys .
“ But why ?
” demand the party ’ s conservatives .
“ The people we represent don ’ t give a fuck if we are crude or brutal .
In fact , they rather expect it !
” Collins ’ s approach to politics strongly suggests that she has more sympathy with the conservatives ’ view than the liberals ’ .
Which is not to say that when asked to vote on conscience issues such as capital punishment and abortion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aren ’ t willing to line up with their more measured and responsible colleagues .
These votes do not , however , prevent them from talking , as Collins does , about “ crushing ” their Labour opponents .
Nor did Muldoon ’ s vote in favour of abolishing capital punishment prevent him from telling the huge audiences who turned out to hear him put the boot into the 1972-75 Labour Government that he had “ seen the shivers running all over [ Labour PM ’ s ] Bill Rowlings ’ body , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” The same , sadly , applies to “ Merv ’ s ” intervention in National ’ s 2020 Auckland Central candidate selection .
Newshub has alleged that this pseudonymous caller of late-night talkback shows is in fact a regional representative of the National Party with a bee in his bonnet about Nuwi Samarakone , the Sri Lankan-born party activist apparently favoured by the party hierarchy .
“ Merv ’ s ” contribution followed the circulation , by a person , or persons , unknown , of a photograph of Ms Samarakone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the camera in leotards .
Astonishingly , that was all it took to make sure that , at least as far as its three leading contenders are concerned , the Auckland Central contest will be an all-white affair .
Childish brutality indeed !
In the 1960s , my late uncle , ministered to the deeply conservative Presbyterian parish of Tuapeka Mouth in rural South Otago .
It is difficult to imagine a more stringent test of Christian forbearance .
The locals must have found his liberal theological views as testing of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unabashed Calvinist prejudices tested his charity .
The experience did , however , equip him to offer me , years later , this pithy summation of the Good Lord ’ s handiwork : “ Humanity ” , he vouchsafed , “ is neither wholly corrupt , nor wholly irredeemable.
” That Labour ’ s massive lead over the Opposition is composed , in large part , of voters who have crossed over from the right-hand to the left-hand side of the electoral street , would appear to bear out my uncle ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , that you consider the Nats to be human !

IF YOU’RE THINKING that, lately, something strange has happened to the National Party, then, clearly, you don’t know the Nats! Just read the following passage from Bill Sutch’s incomparable history, The Quest For Security In New Zealand 1840 to 1966:
“The naïve, the almost childish brutality, with which the chiefs of the National Party fell upon power [in 1949] may seem quite surprising,” wrote Dr J. C. Beaglehole in 1961, “until one remembers how famished for power they were, and with what an innocency of experience they faced the world about them … One does not mean that Mr Holland and his subordinates (lieutenants? – most of them looked like subordinates) went down personally to Government Buildings and kicked the bodies of public servants. Some of them were obviously not as bad as their leader … Yet the insensitiveness to administrative delicacies, the conviction that all you had to do to make the pound go ‘further’ was to take your hand off it, that the main thing needed in education was to insult the Education Department, was quite appalling.”
They were equally famished in 2008 when, after nine insufferable years of Labour-led Government under Helen Clark, they once again “fell upon power” like hungry wolves. At a function I attended in the weeks after the 2008 election I found myself seated at the same table as one of National’s newly-elected MPs. When it comes to politicians, I am not easily astonished, but when I heard the stock response this person gave to polite questions about the new National-led government I was utterly flabbergasted.
“I really don’t give a fuck!”
Now, I suppose we should give this novice MP some credit for their honesty. Because there is very little room for doubt that they were speaking truthfully. They really didn’t give a fuck about policy, or the concerns of well-informed members of the public, or the criticisms of journalists, or the accusations of their political opponents. It was written all over this appalling person’s face: “We have the power now and you don’t. We can do whatever we like and there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.”
And that’s it. That’s all you really need to know about the people who stand for the National Party and are duly returned by electorates where not giving a fuck about people unlike themselves is so ingrained that a novice MP could voice their prejudices without the slightest sign of embarrassment. (A year or two later, having learned the wisdom of guarding their tongue in the presence of strangers, this same MP had the good grace to at least look deeply uncomfortable when they were introduced to me a second time.)
People who are unaware of the “childish brutality” of the typical National Party politician have expressed dismay at the behaviour of the party’s latest leader, Judith Collins. They wince at the delight she so obviously takes in the language of intimidation, domination, humiliation and – let’s face it – violence. Political leaders are supposed to reject such crudity in favour of a more measured and responsible tone.
Collins would laugh at such naivety. Was National’s first Prime Minister – the Sid Holland anathematised by Dr Beaglehole – measured and responsible? Was the pugnacious Rob Muldoon?
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What passes for ideological debate in the National Party consists mainly of arguments about the extent to which the “childish brutality” of its members and voters should be hidden from the wider New Zealand electorate. The “liberal” wing of the party insists that crudity and brutality rapidly wears out its electoral welcome. Rather than turn to the Hollands, Muldoons and Jenny Shipleys, National is always better advised to turn to the Keith Holyoakes, Jim Bolgers and John Keys. “But why?” demand the party’s conservatives. “The people we represent don’t give a fuck if we are crude or brutal. In fact, they rather expect it!”
Collins’s approach to politics strongly suggests that she has more sympathy with the conservatives’ view than the liberals’. Which is not to say that when asked to vote on conscience issues such as capital punishment and abortion, National leaders like Muldoon and Collins aren’t willing to line up with their more measured and responsible colleagues.
These votes do not, however, prevent them from talking, as Collins does, about “crushing” their Labour opponents. Nor did Muldoon’s vote in favour of abolishing capital punishment prevent him from telling the huge audiences who turned out to hear him put the boot into the 1972-75 Labour Government that he had “seen the shivers running all over [Labour PM’s] Bill Rowlings’ body, looking for a spine to crawl up!”
Crude, but effective.
The same, sadly, applies to “Merv’s” intervention in National’s 2020 Auckland Central candidate selection. Newshub has alleged that this pseudonymous caller of late-night talkback shows is in fact a regional representative of the National Party with a bee in his bonnet about Nuwi Samarakone, the Sri Lankan-born party activist apparently favoured by the party hierarchy. “Merv’s” contribution followed the circulation, by a person, or persons, unknown, of a photograph of Ms Samarakone (a former ballet dancer) posing for the camera in leotards. Astonishingly, that was all it took to make sure that, at least as far as its three leading contenders are concerned, the Auckland Central contest will be an all-white affair. Childish brutality indeed!
In the 1960s, my late uncle, ministered to the deeply conservative Presbyterian parish of Tuapeka Mouth in rural South Otago. It is difficult to imagine a more stringent test of Christian forbearance. The locals must have found his liberal theological views as testing of their patience as the Tuapeka Mouth congregation’s unabashed Calvinist prejudices tested his charity. The experience did, however, equip him to offer me, years later, this pithy summation of the Good Lord’s handiwork: “Humanity”, he vouchsafed, “is neither wholly corrupt, nor wholly irredeemable.”
That Labour’s massive lead over the Opposition is composed, in large part, of voters who have crossed over from the right-hand to the left-hand side of the electoral street, would appear to bear out my uncle’s charitable assessment.
Accepting, of course, that you consider the Nats to be human!


thedailyblog--2020-08-12--Dr Liz Gordon: The virus is back

Dr Liz Gordon: The virus is back

In my last blog I speculated that a breakout of community infection of the Covid virus was the one thing that could harm Labour ’ s chances at the election .
I take it back .
The response from the government has been so quick , so sure-footed and so fair that , for me at least , it reminded me why Jacinda has received so much attention internationally for her response .
Compare it with Victoria , which faffed around for ages until the numbers grew so large that a six-week lockdown had to be imposed .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for three days , although further evidence of community transmission means that a four week lockdown is probably on the way .
Good grief , has Gerry Brownlee got a virus in the head ?
Or was he simply having a Trumpian moment ?
Whatever it was , intimating that the government knew all about the community transmission in advance and kept it from the people was a nasty , low blow .
And what on earth would Jacinda have had to gain by waiting to announce the sad news ?
I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even though I also heard the story days ago – I think the Nats have been planting this for a while ) .
Urging the population to be prepared in case of community transmission is not the same as saying such transmission exists and we are hiding it from you .
There is nothing dirtier than the dirty politics of innuendo , aimed at bringing down the trust that the people hold for the government .
When I saw Gerry standing up there , smirking away with his dirty little conspiracy theories , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stomach turned .
Judith wants to stop the election and hold it later , in November .
There is no certainty that November is going to be any better than September .
Quite the reverse – many people are predicting an international ‘ second wave ’ by then .
The only things that are needed for the election to proceed are ( 1 ) the means to get one ’ s political message across to the people , and ( 2 ) an assurance that those eligible to enrol and vote are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As far as I can tell , while the situation is not perfect , both those conditions can be met , even under level 4 , should we get to that .
It looks like Grant Robertson ’ s glory box of $ 14 billion is going to be opened sooner rather than later , to save the workers of Auckland .
So I said on Monday that this kind of situation could affect Labour ’ s re-election chances .
On the performance of the parties today , I was so wrong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of earnest and focussed Jacinda , against the smirking faces and negative role of the National Party leaders , would lead anyone to conclude that only one party can lead the country through the difficult times that lie ahead .
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 .

In my last blog I speculated that a breakout of community infection of the Covid virus was the one thing that could harm Labour’s chances at the election.
I take it back. The response from the government has been so quick, so sure-footed and so fair that, for me at least, it reminded me why Jacinda has received so much attention internationally for her response.
Compare it with Victoria, which faffed around for ages until the numbers grew so large that a six-week lockdown had to be imposed. At the moment Auckland is only in level 3 for three days, although further evidence of community transmission means that a four week lockdown is probably on the way.
Good grief, has Gerry Brownlee got a virus in the head? Or was he simply having a Trumpian moment? Whatever it was, intimating that the government knew all about the community transmission in advance and kept it from the people was a nasty, low blow.
And what on earth would Jacinda have had to gain by waiting to announce the sad news? I don’t believe it at all (even though I also heard the story days ago – I think the Nats have been planting this for a while). Urging the population to be prepared in case of community transmission is not the same as saying such transmission exists and we are hiding it from you.
There is nothing dirtier than the dirty politics of innuendo, aimed at bringing down the trust that the people hold for the government. When I saw Gerry standing up there, smirking away with his dirty little conspiracy theories, and Judith smirking in synch, my stomach turned.
Judith wants to stop the election and hold it later, in November. There is no certainty that November is going to be any better than September. Quite the reverse – many people are predicting an international ‘second wave’ by then.
The only things that are needed for the election to proceed are (1) the means to get one’s political message across to the people, and (2) an assurance that those eligible to enrol and vote are not hindered in their ability to do this.
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As far as I can tell, while the situation is not perfect, both those conditions can be met, even under level 4, should we get to that.
It looks like Grant Robertson’s glory box of $14 billion is going to be opened sooner rather than later, to save the workers of Auckland.
So I said on Monday that this kind of situation could affect Labour’s re-election chances. On the performance of the parties today, I was so wrong, wrong, wrong. Any comparison of earnest and focussed Jacinda, against the smirking faces and negative role of the National Party leaders, would lead anyone to conclude that only one party can lead the country through the difficult times that lie ahead.
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--2020-08-13--Is Billy TK Shouting “Fire” In A Crowded Theatre?

JUST OVER A CENTURY ago , an American socialist , Charles T Schenck , tested the boundaries of free speech .
He and his fellow socialist , Elizabeth Baer , were convicted under the Espionage Act ( 1917 ) for distributing pamphlets opposing the conscription of young American men for service in World War I .
The pair appealed their conviction to the US Supreme Court , citing the First Amendment to the US Constitution ’ s protection of Freedom of Speech , but their conviction was upheld .
The celebrated American jurist and Supreme Court Justice , Oliver Wendell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following , famous , passage : “ We admit that in many places and in ordinary times the defendants in saying all that was said in the circular would have been within their constitutional rights .
But the character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done .
The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting ‘ Fire ’ in a theatre and causing a panic… The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent .
It is question of proximity and degree.
” The “ theatre ” Holmes refers to is , of course , the United States at war .
Schenck ’ s arguments against conscription – by undermining the US war effort – were , in the unanimous judgement of the Supreme Court , a direct violation of the people ’ s will – as expressed in the US Congress ’ s declaration of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , argues Holmes , is everything .
One hundred years later , and half a world away , the issue of free speech and the context in which it does , and does not , require the law ’ s protection is still very much alive .
Earlier today ( 13 August 2020 ) in Whangarei the Leader of the New Zealand Public Party , Billy Te Kahika Jr , addressed a small crowd of people who had joined a protest against the Government ’ s latest efforts to control the community transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of that address , Mr Te Kahika alleged that the Government ’ s actions were part of a preconceived plan to deprive ordinary New Zealanders of their rights .
His speech reinforced arguments he had already voiced on Facebook earlier in the week .
Patriotic New Zealanders , Mr Te Kahika advised his audience , were leaking information to him about the Government ’ s plans to deploy the armed forces against its own citizens .
Very soon , he claimed , soldiers would be testing New Zealanders compulsorily for Covid-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ question as to whether or not Mr Te Kahika is guilty of “ falsely shouting ‘ Fire ’ in a theatre and causing a panic ” ?
Certainly , the claims advanced by Mr Te Kahika are false .
The matter to be determined , therefore , is whether or not they are likely to cause panic .
In ordinary times , the answer would be “ No.
” In ordinary times , the opinions of conspiracy theorists may be safely ignored .
Indeed , in ordinary times , the state protects their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ freedom of expression , as set forth in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act , would not be infringed – in ordinary times .
But , these are not ordinary times .
New Zealanders need only look across the Tasman Sea , to the State of Victoria , to understand the threat posed to society by an inadequate official response to any resurgence of the Covid-19 virus .
Many people will become sick .
Others will die .
The local economy will be devastated .
Any activity which threatens to facilitate and/or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be considered , in Holmes ’ s compelling phrase , “ a clear and present danger ” to the common welfare .
It is very difficult to interpret Mr Te Kahika ’ s activity as anything other than an attempt to impede , undermine and in every way frustrate the Government ’ s attempt to respond adequately to a proven resurgence of community transmission of Covid-19 in the city of Auckland and , quite possibly , across the rest of New Zealand .
His unsubstantiated claims seem calculated to arouse fear , anger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , emotionally and materially to challenge their veracity .
When directed against those in authority , for expressly political purposes , such falsehoods have the power to cause immense harm .
If Holmes ’ s important stipulation that “ the character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done ” , then Mr Te Kahika ’ s actions can only be described as extremely reckless and irresponsible .
Conscious , that they could quite easily contribute to a significant lessening in the public ’ s willingness to comply with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to the spread of the virus – the Government would be entitled to take all necessary measures to silence Mr Te Kahika and his political lieutenants .
The only consideration militating against such a course of action is likely to be whether or not the silencing of Mr Te Kahika would be more , or less , likely to facilitate the very substantive evils it was intended to prevent .
While the crowds he speaks to remain as small as Whangarei ’ s , it is probably not worth making a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Te Kahika – especially if such martyrdom constitutes an important part of his election campaign .
The Government would , nevertheless , be wise to keep a close eye on the NZPP and its inflammatory leader , and both eyes on the size of the crowds they attract .
My own principled attachment to free speech is well attested , and , just for the record , I believe the US Supreme Court was wrong to convict Schenck and Baer for opposing the draft .
I do , however , concur entirely with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no person the right to shout “ Fire !
” in a crowded theatre .
Nor to undermine the efforts of our government to preserve New Zealanders ’ lives in the face of global pandemic .

JUST OVER A CENTURY ago, an American socialist, Charles T Schenck, tested the boundaries of free speech. He and his fellow socialist, Elizabeth Baer, were convicted under the Espionage Act (1917) for distributing pamphlets opposing the conscription of young American men for service in World War I. The pair appealed their conviction to the US Supreme Court, citing the First Amendment to the US Constitution’s protection of Freedom of Speech, but their conviction was upheld. The celebrated American jurist and Supreme Court Justice, Oliver Wendell Holmes, explained his decision in the following, famous, passage:
“We admit that in many places and in ordinary times the defendants in saying all that was said in the circular would have been within their constitutional rights. But the character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done. The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely shouting ‘Fire’ in a theatre and causing a panic… The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent. It is question of proximity and degree.”
The “theatre” Holmes refers to is, of course, the United States at war. Schenck’s arguments against conscription – by undermining the US war effort – were, in the unanimous judgement of the Supreme Court, a direct violation of the people’s will – as expressed in the US Congress’s declaration of war against the Central Powers. Context, argues Holmes, is everything.
One hundred years later, and half a world away, the issue of free speech and the context in which it does, and does not, require the law’s protection is still very much alive.
Earlier today (13 August 2020) in Whangarei the Leader of the New Zealand Public Party, Billy Te Kahika Jr, addressed a small crowd of people who had joined a protest against the Government’s latest efforts to control the community transmission of the Covid-19 virus. In the course of that address, Mr Te Kahika alleged that the Government’s actions were part of a preconceived plan to deprive ordinary New Zealanders of their rights. His speech reinforced arguments he had already voiced on Facebook earlier in the week. Patriotic New Zealanders, Mr Te Kahika advised his audience, were leaking information to him about the Government’s plans to deploy the armed forces against its own citizens. Very soon, he claimed, soldiers would be testing New Zealanders compulsorily for Covid-19.
These are inflammatory claims, prompting the question as to whether or not Mr Te Kahika is guilty of “falsely shouting ‘Fire’ in a theatre and causing a panic”?
Certainly, the claims advanced by Mr Te Kahika are false. The matter to be determined, therefore, is whether or not they are likely to cause panic. In ordinary times, the answer would be “No.” In ordinary times, the opinions of conspiracy theorists may be safely ignored. Indeed, in ordinary times, the state protects their opinions. Mr Te Kahika’s freedom of expression, as set forth in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, would not be infringed – in ordinary times.
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But, these are not ordinary times.
New Zealanders need only look across the Tasman Sea, to the State of Victoria, to understand the threat posed to society by an inadequate official response to any resurgence of the Covid-19 virus. Many people will become sick. Others will die. The local economy will be devastated. Any activity which threatens to facilitate and/or augment these evils must, therefore, be considered, in Holmes’s compelling phrase, “a clear and present danger” to the common welfare.
It is very difficult to interpret Mr Te Kahika’s activity as anything other than an attempt to impede, undermine and in every way frustrate the Government’s attempt to respond adequately to a proven resurgence of community transmission of Covid-19 in the city of Auckland and, quite possibly, across the rest of New Zealand. His unsubstantiated claims seem calculated to arouse fear, anger and hatred among those least equipped intellectually, emotionally and materially to challenge their veracity. When directed against those in authority, for expressly political purposes, such falsehoods have the power to cause immense harm.
If Holmes’s important stipulation that “the character of every act depends upon the circumstances in which it is done”, then Mr Te Kahika’s actions can only be described as extremely reckless and irresponsible. Conscious, that they could quite easily contribute to a significant lessening in the public’s willingness to comply with the Covid-19 regulations – and, hence, to the spread of the virus – the Government would be entitled to take all necessary measures to silence Mr Te Kahika and his political lieutenants.
The only consideration militating against such a course of action is likely to be whether or not the silencing of Mr Te Kahika would be more, or less, likely to facilitate the very substantive evils it was intended to prevent. While the crowds he speaks to remain as small as Whangarei’s, it is probably not worth making a “free speech” martyr out of Mr Te Kahika – especially if such martyrdom constitutes an important part of his election campaign. The Government would, nevertheless, be wise to keep a close eye on the NZPP and its inflammatory leader, and both eyes on the size of the crowds they attract.
My own principled attachment to free speech is well attested, and, just for the record, I believe the US Supreme Court was wrong to convict Schenck and Baer for opposing the draft. I do, however, concur entirely with Justice Holmes that freedom of speech gives no person the right to shout “Fire!” in a crowded theatre.
Nor to undermine the efforts of our government to preserve New Zealanders’ lives in the face of global pandemic.