More testimony from those who have actually spent time at the protest site:
NewstalkZB Political Editor Barry Soper:
The trouble is the politicians have painted them as illegal, dangerous radicals which, having talked to many of them which the politicians haven't, isn't the case for the vast majority of them.
Lawyer and ex ACT MP Stephen Franks:
I’ve been radicalised into hoping the protesters win (conspicuously by the end of mandates outside high transmission risk roles). That is by simple disgust at the bizarre RNZ and other MSM state propaganda vilifying the protesters. In my many hours there, I’ve seen nothing to support the calumny aimed at the protesters. Sure, its attracted some dingbats and potentially menacing individuals. But in my view a lower proportion than in most protests.
10 comments:
Stephen Franks - now there is a man who still has a lot to offer New Zealand Politics.
What a great Justice Minister or Attorney General he would be and I would give him the Treaty Settlements portfolio as well.
Come on Stephen - throw your hat back in the ring.
Wow, two rich old conservative white guys with a long history of far right lunacy join the mob. Colour me surprised. Both triple vaxxed too no doubt. They don't want to bear the consequences of their actions.
Lindsay
I sense the ground is shifting against the political elite. The recent poll showing 30% support for the protesters would have come as a shock to parliament. The greater blow however, is Sir Russell Coutts announcement that he plans to join the protest next week. He is an eminent New Zealander who is respected by many.
Ms Ardern can say 'it is not a protest' as many times as she likes. It will make no difference. My sense is that she is losing her moral authority. Without that no one can long govern.
You mean the guy for whom money was more important than country? That guy? A 60 year old rich white guy who's never protested anything in his life chooses this hill to die on. Please.
Wow.. Opinions dismissed because they are from aged...white.. Males. Hit the trifecta in revealing you nastiness there Judge....
OK Judge Holden, you are a troll. Mission accomplished. Unfortunately you add zero to the conversation.
Yes, this narrative for discrediting the Freedom Protest has come and gone this week.
The latest talking points I've heard follow the "Yes, And" formula.
Yes: Protesters have made their point. 'We' get it. Good sport.
And: Now the message has been received they must depart.
That tactic will have run its course by the end of the week too.
Eventually we will reach The Flip.
With the increasing number of protesters of all ilk's turning up to enjoy their moment in the sun and with a large amount of anti Jacinda/ Government vitriol being vented, is it likely the S.A.S have been mobilized as a security screen in and around Parliament?
In a moment of madness if a dysfunctional mob broke through the police cordon and made it into Parliament building, extreme violence and injury could ensue.
Personally, under the circumstances I would have no problem with our seat of government being protected by specialised Kiwi's well versed in dealing with potential anti social behaviour of this nature.
Or have I been watching too many of my own action movies? .
.
An excellent post from Stephen, thanks Lindsay.
I particularly like this paragraph
The common response of ACT, National, Labour, Greens and the Maori Party has been infantile – “I can’t see you, you’re on your own and if I talked to you other people would think I was a loser like you, you’re horrible, you stink so I won’t talk to you, everyone I know hates you, and you’ve been mean about me, so I’m not coming out of my bedroom”. But it is not funny. It is carrying us fast into the poisonous political polarisation that now discredits and paralyses other democracies.
Me too Zoe. I grinned like a Cheshire cat reading it. The snobbery is beautifully captured.
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