Happy Freedom Day

Past Blasts from the last decade or so.

Wastee little weasel
Wants cheap tricks
Liberty bell cracked in half
A bacon steak
A perfect match
Freedom of '76

Song: Ween, Ed Wilson

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Today is World Freedom Day, an American commemoration that began in 2001 to recognise the fall of the Berlin Wall, some 12 years earlier.

Seems odd timing to start acknowledging something in late 2001 that happened in 1989. Almost as if the events of a couple of months earlier, when some folks from the Middle East celebrated American “Freedom” being imposed on them by flying planes into buildings, required a rolling out of the old Cold War rhetoric. Rebranded anew.

Ahh Freedom. Isn’t this just a great time for freedom as Trump prepares to take violent revenge on his political opponents - if he’s a man of his word?

Netanyahu celebrates his election, and I imagine Mr Zelensky anticipates either getting a lot more support from Europe or giving away large tracts of his country, as agreed by Trump and Putin on the back of a napkin.

Freedom. It’s hard to get excited by that sentiment at a time when many of the liberties we’ve taken for granted - the freedom of the press, the independence of the judiciary, rights of women, trans people, and those of other races, are being rolled back.

It inspired me to take a day off the serious stuff and wander down memory lane. I don’t know about you, but I’ve had about enough analysis for the week, so today it’s one of those looking-back ones. If that’s not for you, no worries. I’ll be plenty serious next week, but hang around if you fancy a few chuckles or a bit of nostalgia. We’re about to get started…

2013

Way back when Matty, my youngest, had just started school and was learning about words…

Matty - "The word Caterpillar has the word cat in it".
Me - "The word Dogerpillar has the word dog in it"
Matty - "The word Frogerpillar has the word frog in it"
Matty - "The word Buttcrack has the word butt in it"

Touche mr 5.

2014

A decade ago, I was posting about Child Poverty in Aotearoa:

I went to a primary school in Rotorua that was very mixed; half the kids were from a new subdivision where there was plenty to eat, and the kids had everything they needed. There were handheld video games, maybe a spa pool or a boat in the driveway - life was good.

The other half came from Ford Block, the area where the book "Once Were Warriors" was based. These kids would ask for your apple core once you'd finished, and sometimes they would take my lunch - because they never had any.

We knew families that were struggling; often, one parent was gone; sometimes, there was no electricity, not many books in these houses and empty fridges. My mother would help by looking after the kids so that a solo parent could work - I remember those kids so clearly.

Intermediate came, and I went to a very low decile school; it is closed now as it reached a point where no one would send their kids there. I was friends with some of the Pacific Island kids at the school and remember asking them to come over after school. I remember the look of disbelief on their faces at our middle-class house and all the things we had, and I remember being embarrassed.

Years later, I remember running into the toughest kid from my primary school, the one who used to take my lunch. I was a head taller than him, and he hadn't grown. I felt nothing but sorrow at the tragedy.

Maybe this will explain why my politics are the way they are. When John Key minimises the extent of Child Poverty in this country, please do not believe him. Beyond the compelling moral reasons to address Child Poverty, the economic cost of not addressing it makes it a complete no-brainer.

2015

The following year, I felt less enthusiastic about Mr Key… If you can’t recall this event, here’s a link to the story it was about - John Key accuses Labour of 'backing rapists'

So the NZers on Christmas Island are Rapists and Murderers, says John Key.

Number of NZers on Christmas Island guilty of murder = ZERO

Number of NZers on Christmas Island guilty of rape = ZERO

If a left-wing politician did this in NZ, the media would be absolutely screaming for their resignation.

I have complete admiration for those MPs today that were prepared to stand up and talk about the sexual abuse they had personally suffered and why they were offended that John Key claims they support rapists.

The fact that they were kicked out of the house for doing so is a sad indictment of our parliament, particularly the most biased speaker we have ever had—it is truly shameful.

“These honest, genuine, and brave people make me very proud to be a New Zealander.”

2016

Eight years ago today, I took the day off work… “I took leave today to watch the election results - Bernie can still win, right?”

You can probably recall what happened, having just had a bit of a reminder. This was my comment later that evening, which is still pretty relevant today:

I understand people's frustration with globalisation (aka outsourcing your jobs to third-world countries for a pittance), with the complete failure of thirty years of neoliberalism, trickle-down economics, to improve things for anyone other than those who were already very wealthy.

But why would you take out your frustration by handing power to someone who outsources jobs and doesn’t pay taxes, believing that once in power, he will act like a decent human being despite all previous evidence?

I wasn’t a Hillary Clinton fan; she was too much in the pockets of corporate interests, too corrupt, too dishonest – hell, she was America’s John Key. In a way, I’m glad she lost; perhaps the Democrats will learn to select a progressive candidate that actually represents their supporter’s interests – they wouldn’t have in future had she won.

But I wanted her to win, so much of the rhetoric, of the vile output from Trump and his supporters, was the most disgusting misogynistic, sexist bullshit. There is not a doubt in my mind that she would have won had she been a man. I am appalled and saddened by the level of sexism present in this campaign.

I think of the values of my parents and the values of so many decent people in the US, and I feel stunned and heartbroken by this result.

A couple of days later, though, there was some good news:

2017

I watched this with the boys this week. Russell Howard is normally lightweight, with goofy clips, banter, and funny anecdotes. They like that sort of thing. He turned it up a notch, and there is a lot of swearing, but I'd rather they were exposed to this sort of thing than someone like Mike Hosking any day of the week.”

2018

The return of Matty. I fully appreciate that some of you won’t get this, but the rest of you might find it quite amusing…

Matty had a friend over this afternoon playing on the PS4.
Friend: Got any ammo?
Matty: Got any meds?
Me: Got any grapes?
Matty: Shut up Dad.
Sheesh - everyones a critic.. I swear I heard them humming the song though.

2019

Five years ago the French were singing cheerio to Blighty… Vive la France, and Amanda Palmer.

2020

Four years ago I was posting “Anyone feeling a bit sorry for Trump? No, me either!”

And then, “Great victory speeches from Biden and Harris. What a contrast to the last four years! A good day for the US, and the world.”

But Trump wasn’t done yet as a quite different looking Stephen Colbert spoke of here:

2021

Back to the time of daily Lockdown updates:

Day eighty-four of lockdown…

Today a group of people protested as an example to the rest of us of what happens when the education system fails – a public service really. They pushed a photographer, bit a policeman, waved Trump banners, and threw tennis balls with messages threatening violence and death to our Prime Minister.

The good people of this land looked on bewildered and wondered how people could be so manipulated and brainwashed. They quietly considered how grateful they were for the diversity of their own genetic makeup, and listened to the protesters:

Get Up, Stand Up, Spread with all your Might!

You've got to fight, for your right, to Covid!

The PM’s response to the protesters was perfect, being clear that they are not representative of the vast majority of Kiwis and thanking the people who had been vaccinated. Meanwhile parliament went ahead untroubled, almost as if those outside were best just ignored.

There were fine tributes to Dame Cath, genuine remembrance from Marama Davidson, even David Seymour managed quite a good speech. As for Judith Collins – damn if Seymour comes across as a more authentic, warm, human being than you you’re going to have serious problems connecting with people.

Air NZ made being fully vaccinated, or having had a negative test, a prerequisite for domestic flights. I’m glad of any action that sends the message - you are expected to be vaccinated to take part in society.

Take care all of you lovely people, especially Johnny and Thea who had computer programming and Jazz exams this morning, respectively. Feels like a bit of normalcy coming back.

This tweet put the protest in perspective though, I posted, “Now that is a burn!!! Dr Verrall rocks!”

2022

Two years ago I wrote one of the weirder newsletters I’ve written - about racism at the Waiheke Aero club.

A few days later Johnny and I went to visit my daughter Emma, and my grandson Ollie, for her 30th birthday. No guesses for who was scoffing all the cake.

2023

“At a time when National, ACT, and NZF have no Pasifika MPs between them, I’m so glad Labour have made Carmel Sepuloni deputy leader.”

Not everyone was impressed, I also posted, “Someone should tell Jessica to chill with her visible loathing of Labour. It’s going to be a long three years otherwise.”

In fact I wrote a whole, long forgotten - including by me, piece on it:

I have to say I really don’t miss Jessica.

Well those were some memories from the last decade or so. I’ve left this open as quite a bit of it is stuff than people can find publicly, including my posts, so it seems a bit unreasonable to put it behind a paywall.

Looks like an absolute cracker of a day here in Tamaki Makaurau, hope it’s a nice one wherever you lovely people are.

If you enjoy my writing I’d love to have you as a subscriber and if you think others might you’re welcome to share this. 🙂

A good 90s groove to finish - Freedom of 76.