Mr Luxon goes to Washington.
The PM retreats overseas, and for the love of god Darleen - just go!
Once fastened servile now your getting sharp
Moving oh so swiftly with such disarm
I pulled the covers over him shoulda' pulled the alarm
Turned to my nemesis a fool no fucking god
Tuesday morning usually provides something to write about with a regular round of interviews for the Prime Minister across Newshub, TVNZ, and RNZ. Some early morning mirth as the PM fills our bingo cards with pointless platitudes and made up phrases without meaning.
Problem being that this week the PM took one look at his poll ratings and skedaddled off to the US for a NATO meeting. Even though we’re not actually part of that organisation, given that the South Pacific is quite some way from the North Atlantic.
It could’ve been an opportunity to congratulate the new Prime Minister of the UK, although to be fair Luxon probably doesn’t want to be anywhere near there right now.
In the tradition of poorly-performing, centre-right politicians who’re rating badly on domestic issues, as their promises turned out to be as hollow as their words, Luxon has looked offshore. Essentially saying, “nothing to see here - look over there, the world’s a scary place. I’ll protect you.”
Best to identify an external enemy to shift the focus from one’s own poor performance. “Look out behind you - arghh”. Or whatever the following video is intended to convey…
For goodness sake can someone tell him to stop doing that with his hands? I don’t know if he thinks it makes him look like a strong leader but it comes across as feeble and a bit creepy. Why is he recording this - are we supposed to be preparing for war?Why is he there - overlooking the harbour? Did he just want to avoid there being any reporters around to ask questions?
The other flaw in my plan to watch the PM’s interviews and report back on what he really meant, if you sort of tilt your head to one side and squint between the lines to discover some meaning, is that Newshub is alas no more.
I’ve tried out the replacement Three News produced by Stuff a couple of times, last night and on Saturday, and I reckon it’s a pretty promising start.
Sure it’s a bit less glamorous, a bit less glitzy, without the big studio, the graphics, and expensive camera equipment, but the actual reporting looks good.
I was concerned that with a smaller budget and reduced team they’d provide a shallow look across the news of the day but instead they seem to have opted to cover a smaller number of stories in greater depth. In my view that’s a good decision. Seeing more in-depth journalism from someone like Paula Penfold is a welcome addition.
Seeing Samantha Hayes out from behind the desk reporting can only enhance her reputation. In this case a thought provoking article on gangs - which is so much more useful than simply labelling those in society as good people or bad people and demanding the latter change their colours.
As you might expect a lot of people checked out the new programme. From Stuff - “340,000 people in the 5+ audience tuned in to watch the inaugural half-hour bulletin on Saturday night, a whopping 89% more than Newshub’s Saturday night outing a week prior and a 32% increase on the same weekend last year.”
Last night with Samantha crossing to Jenna for political reporting it was almost as if Newshub was still there. Not this morning though. I turned on TVNZ’s Breakfast programme instead.
Oh my god the inanity - why is our state broadcaster making television for stupid people? I know it’s breakfast TV but come on, surely we have enough moronic offerings for the non thinkers already?
Daniel and Jenny-May were having a deep discussion on… wait for it… was it Climate Change? As if, is that even a thing any more? The government says we shouldn’t worry. Crime being out of control? Don’t be daft, National are in charge we don’t talk about that any more…
Nope the issue du jour was how many minutes late is too late? They kept coming back to it as if it were a worthy theme. The programme was embarrassingly dumbed down and suggested that the wrong channel had gotten the chop. All the intellectual rigour of drive time radio on TV. Surely we don’t have public broadcasting - for this?
They did eventually cover some news. As Luxon trots off to Washington to roll over and do whatever he’s told we see that America’s proxy in the Middle East, Israel, bombed a school over night which was being used by the UN as a shelter.
The Palestinians said 7,000 displaced citizens were seeking refuge whereas Israel, our allies ally, said they were baddies. In any case the people they dropped the bombs on are dead now, so no need to ask questions - which I’m sure is exactly the approach Luxon will be taking in the US, while keeping his head down and hoping no one asks what on earth he’s doing there.
Meanwhile Putin, seeing the Israelis blowing up schools with no consequence, said “hold my vodka”, and blew up a Children’s Hospital - killing 36. There is no verifiable report as to whether any of those killed in the Ukrainian Hospital were from Hamas, but it probably doesn’t pay to be too careful.
Obviously the situations in Gaza and Ukraine are no laughing matter. But neither is the fact that the world sits like a possum in the headlights waiting to find out if the most powerful position available, the person who will be best placed to address these issues will either be someone trying desperate to convince his own supporters that he’s even capable of the role, or a lying crook with no regard for democracy or the rule of law. Happy days.
Back to Jenny May who was asking the big questions, like how often you should check work related WhatsApp groups when you’re not a work. No doubt a local media award on the way.
Sorry, I seem to have woken up a bit glass half empty this morning. After the highs of the UK and French elections, returning to the reality of Luxon is a real downer. As was having the Greens in the media for the wrong reasons yet again yesterday…
This has gone on far too long, but finally able to act, following the completion of the report, the Greens have taken quick, decisive action, to the extent they can.
As a collective they’ve communicated to Darleen that she should go. She hasn’t been up front with them, she’s not the person they thought she was, and she should go.
There is no basis for her to stay. She wasn’t voted in by a constituency who want her to represent their electorate, she came in off the list because those voters wanted somebody representing Green values. That’s not you Darleen - you should go. Now.
Just go, don’t cause the party any more embarrassment - you’ve done more than enough of that already. Your party leaders don’t want you, your caucus colleagues don’t want you, and I can’t imagine many Green supporters want you to stay - certainly not this one.
There are really important issues that the Greens are leading the way on and I for one have had a guts full of all the distraction. I have tremendous sympathy for Golriz, and have of course mourned the tragic, incomprehensible loss of Efeso. I disliked, but understood, James’ departure, and dearly hope Marama will make a full recovery following her cancer treatment.
As for Julie Anne Genter - I was ready to forgive her as soon as she apologised. The same day she wandered over to Matt Doocey to encourage him to actually read something - which seems to be an ongoing issue with that Minister.
But I’ve no sympathy for Darleen Tana, and quite frankly I wish she’d just go. Instead of hanging in there, presumably for the money, even if it further damages her reputation - if that’s even possible.
Whew. Sorry about all that, needed a wee vent.
Despite the difficult circumstances I thought Chlöe spoke remarkably well. It’s just a pity that some in the press pack didn’t demonstrate the same maturity. Understandably annoyed by the situation the Green co-leader came across as being fair, open, honest, and thoroughly professional.
It’d be good if Darleen could discover a little of that professionalism and finally do the right thing - and go.
My kids who live in San Francisco are having a snigger about Luxon going there on his last day in the US because he "knows" some bizpeople. Luxon will be a flea at NATO and an annoying one at that, who will be largely ignored. I agree with you about Darleen. It's not about her. MPs elected on the List are there because of their party, not their own magnificent selves. Labour had their issues ; Gaurav Sharma and Meka Whaitiri who even worse in a way were electorate MPs. I feel sorry for the Greens members who organised, campaigned, door knocked and fund raised. I thought Chloe showed great courage ; there is nothing more disappointing than finding out your political colleagues have let everyone down. Of course the National Party just buries any reports and carries on regardless.
I took the plunge and watched our pm's little video. At times I thought that he was holding the reins of a horse. I Also wondered whether he was still on the campaign trail as it sounded very similar. It must be upside down day Nick