Are We The Waiting?

A day of infamy as the Treaty Principles Bill passes first reading.

And screaming
Are we we are, are we we are the waiting
And screaming
Are we we are, are we we are the waiting

Forget me nots, second thoughts live in isolation
Heads or tails and fairy tales in my mind
Are we we are, are we we are the waiting unknown
The rage and love, the story of my life
The Jesus of suburbia is a lie

Songwriters: Billie Armstrong / Frank Wright / Michael Pritchard.

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There are parliamentary votes that stick in the memory, times of great joy when good things are done and waiata sung from the balconies, and we all shed a tear and think how grateful we are to live in this wonderful country. Yesterday was not one of those days.

Other days are less pleasing, conscience votes that might see someone from a party you support vote differently than you would have, but we generally accept that people must follow their moral compass.

Then there are days of infamy, of votes that live long in the memory. For example, when Christopher Luxon voted against having safe zones for women outside abortion clinics at the first reading. Yesterday was one of those. Something unforgettable for the wrong reasons.

If you haven’t caught up on those events, there was an excellent write-up by Melanie Nelson, which you can read here:

Parliament erupts as Treaty Principles Bill passes first reading

G News asked last night, “What did you make of the First Reading and events in parliament today concerning the Treaty Principles Bill?”

I replied, “Very moved and proud of those who stood in the chamber and public area to rip that bill apart and perform a haka in defiance. Proud of Chlöe and her good words. Most of all, Willie Jackson refused to apologise for calling Seymour a liar.

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke tears apart the Treaty Principles Bill.

I'm disgusted by all those who voted in support of this bill today and especially of Christopher Luxon's tremendous cowardice in not being there and holding himself distant from it when it is all on him and his decision to put the country through this so he could be king. Fuck that guy.”