The problem with right-wingers is: they are hard wired not to have an imagination. It is easy to denigrate the poor and the homeless because they aren't capable of imagining what it must be like to be them. The easiest thing to do is to cart them off into the wilderness where they are seen and not heard.
That is how the right-wing deals with problems. Turn their heads away, pretend they don't exist, ignore the warning signs and don't do anything about them because that would mean they have to admit they exist. As an example, look at the pitiful response to Climate Change. The poor and oppressed come into the same category.
Yes Anne, the imagination brings things out into the open…shining a beautiful warm bright light in areas that desperately need effective and prompt solutions.
I suggest that those with little imagination or who use it infrequently might exist in a world that discounts or denies all that they choose not to value. Pontificating about the natural world and environment as being ripe for further exploitation (“let’s dig baby dig”) is a way of living without imagination. Instead, these people use their logic devoid of caring about people or the planet. It’s a story they keep on telling themselves. The time is long past to change this story. Refer below to David Korten’swork
In Iceland and Germany - at least - they have custom built shelters or pods where people can be out of weather in quiet alleys and warm and comfortable until alternatives are found. Auckland and other cities need this now. Then a massive increase in community workers, hostels and apartments and retirement villages for renters are needed. Healthy people and housed people become productive people. The answer to hopelessness is real hope.
A Government with intelligence and ability to think outside their square heads would know this. It would contribute to the economy, GDP and all the goals they value, but they do not have a clue how to achieve a well and successful community and economy.
Four shorter days in a week, living wage - below which employers are criminals - and increase productivity and volunteerism. Healthy community healthier economy.
I agree Don when you wrote: “healthy and housed people become productive people”. And furthermore, there are many reasons to value a person…a productive unit (soldier for the economy) is but one reason.
When I feel included (not ignored / not denied my rights as a citizen) life is healthier and far more enjoyable. Every person deserves the opportunity to thrive not merely exist as a pawn in a system created and led by heartless ‘managers’ pretending to manage the economy.
In 1985 I began working within mental health services and discovered the truth about what tangata whaiora (people seeking wellness) really need. I listened to them. Julie Liebriech’s book “A Gift of Stories “ served to illustrate further how each person I met and worked alongside had a story often saturated with problems. Much of this seemed dominated by stigma and discrimination - being excluded and not listened to was unfortunately a recurrent theme.
To be healthy is to be an active participant in a healthy, dynamic community that actively cares about and respects all members. Some who occupy seats of power and influence need us to be passive recipients of whatever crumbs they deem us worthy to receive. They are more used to taking than giving anyway!
I mean…I enjoy leftover food…Apple crumble especially 🙂 The crumb is filled with flavour.
But the crumbs offered to me (and so many other NZ citizens) by the current coalition of disarray do not taste nice at all.
Their logic and ideology is far from appetising to me. We need a new recipe from fresh chefs. Any suggestions?!? Logic informed by the needs of you and me and other NZers would look very different. Such logic would be balanced (leavened) by a healthy portion of imagination. Anne is onto it…a distinct lack of imagination belies the coalition’s ruthless but heartless agenda
Yes Brian I began to work in metal health and had been previously been building healthy communities. I am 90 now. My photo was at 19! Wellbeing and inclusion is essential to good community.
Some days I cry for my country. Not the comfy country that racists, the greedy ACT, National and Winston Peters followers like to remember because they have had their eyes wide shut. I live in this place called Waitakere in the foothills of the Ranges, cared for and generously shared with us all by Te Kawerau a Maki. Down the road in Ranui, there are always rough sleepers or "beggars" outside the shops. Sometimes they are there because they are lonely, but it is worth pausing, having a chat and finding out what is really going on and they have somewhere to sleep. And doing something, if you can, that is more than charity, but calling our government agencies, and harassing them to do their jobs. Or contacting the local community to ensure there is free kai, as there so often is in my neighborhood. Domestic violence is still a huge issue in Aotearoa, and hidden a lot of the time. And it is not confined to Maori communities.
💯 Darien, while I'm retired my younger partner is still up to her eyeballs in family violence mahi which shows no signs of diminishing. We simply have a massive issue in this country and it sure aint anything to do with one's culture or ethnicity. Ditto the homelessness in our nation which out of sight out of mind isn't going to help 😡.
On a lighter note my older sister used to live along Bethels Beach Road and we all used to enjoy visiting them there and heading out to that wild west coast beach 😁. Sadly her husband died suddenly a couple of years ago so she is now in a townhouse in South Auckland but at least it's by the Manukau Harbour with nice walks.
Half of our voters condone the actions of this heartless regime, a new movie needs to be made describing and explaining the callous selfishness. It could be called ‘How we became the hard hearted’.
The lost dreams, the broken promises, the lost Kiwis who have had to flee their Homeland for work, denied them at home by a Ruthless Government who does not listen to its people- a Government with an Agenda set by Overseas Greed!
I was incredibly saddened to read about the passing of Lee Tamahori.
This tāne produced in my opinion the best movie ever made.
Once Were Warriors was incredibly emotional even if you haven't experienced domestic violence on a personal level.
The movie was raw and so very real. I have no doubt it brought up so many emotions and trauma for anyone who had suffered domestic violence.
Once Were Warriors raised awarness about a kaupapa that was more often than not ignored and sweet under the carpet.
Now onto this disgrace of a government we have.
It's incredibly hard to fathom how this lot can be so damn heartless and utterly deviod of empathy.
All of these things that they have done and continue to do, is just so cruel. They don't give a shit about our tamariki, our vulnerable, our homeless or anyone that is struggling.
I know I shouldn't be shocked at what they do, but they just floor me everytime they open their mouths.
My wife and I booked to see “Once were Warriors” at Manukau cinemas the opening night. We sat middle back. We were deeply moved shaken and hurting for our country and its people. When the lights went up the cinema was Maori wall to wall. We were the only Pakeha. We were totally alien our fellow feeling seemed suddenly empty.
Can't have homeless hanging around central Auckland especially the casino and convention centre where Luxflakes wants to have a couple of Michelen starred restaurants for his swanky friends
Yeah, Janette....he's so unbelievably embarrassing to have as a PM, I can't help wondering if he is playing a double game, that he is behaving like a complete buffoon on purpose so Seymour and Willis don't look utterly insane.....??
Once were warriors was powerful movie. I saw it with two friends., one had been raped as a teenager, and the other had left a violent marriage. At the end one ran from the theatre. The other sat very still with tears streaming. I couldn't work out who to comfort. I'm sorry that Lee has died. He was a powerful storyteller.
If a film was made now of the stories of those who are currently homeless, I'm not sure those who judge them would go let alone learn from it. The privileged tend to view those without a home as lesser so that they don't have to face their role in this inequity.
Looking at ACT's failure with Boot Camps & School Lunches, I'm reminded of Seymour's favourite saying, 'Just because it doesn't work in practice, doesn't mean that it won't work in theory.'
Took the words right out of my mouth, Wikitoria...I think maybe he really IS insane....!...I must admit, something about his perpetual 'oily' smirk makes me squirm....
I remember this from a Treasury adolescent in the late 1980s. Critical of our mixed/civilian model for making Defence Policy. He said, "It may work in practice but it doesn't work in theory!"
I watch Once Were Warriors every time it comes on TV, to remind myself, and to feel the emotions it evokes.
Fabulous movie, gritty, honest, horrifying, yet still full of hope, mana, pride and inspiration. The hope that there is a way forward, no matter how bad things get, and the desire to find that way forward despite the obstacles. The sorrow and compassion for those for whom it is too late, and to remember them in helping those that still face this life.
Something this government never does. They are concerned only with self. To having their lives sorted, bugger anyone else.
Until they commit to lifting the most vulnerable in our society, like kids, like youth offenders, like the homeless, like the scared silent victims of poverty and violence, to where life like OWW no longer exists, and actually developing policy that speaks to it, they will never ever be more than money grubbing entitled self-serving pieces of shit.
Mmmm at this stage in my life, I do not plan to put myself forward to become a member of the NZ parliament. Some MPs obviously can and do make a positive impact in their time as a representative of their constituents. But sadly, I guess that many arrive with reasonably good intentions but find the system / old boys club mentality / games they need to play discourage them from being an effective change-maker.
I believe it’s healthy to know if you’re required to play someone else’s game. The choice then is will I play their game or shall I continue to be true to myself. Groupthink and apathy are horrendously destructive in my opinion. Of course, others disagree with me!
A greater challenge for me (beyond retaining my sense of fun and optimism) is to help move those occupying a seat in the NZ Parliament who (a) don’t deserve to be there, and (b) are causing such harm to current and future citizens of our wonderful little country.
Sian, I’m often amused by how many acronyms I (and we) get exposed to. You’ll know EFTPOS from some financial transactions no doubt. You’ve helped me create one anew called MGESSPOS! (“money grubbing entitled self-serving pieces of shit”)
It may have another relevant alternative definition…let me know what you think…
Manipulative Greedy Engineers of a Sickening Substitute for Social Policy
I agree Sian…to recognise what is happening for others in their struggle (which in all reality is all our struggle); to feel and to think and to be moved; to have a response of empathy and compassion…is to be fully alive and fully human.
I enjoy the rhythms contained within Bob Dylan’s song “Dignity”…but even more, I treasure the lyrics.
“…So many roads, so much at stake, So many dead ends, I’m at the edge of the lake.
Sometimes I wonder what it’s going to take
To find dignity.”
Some of my work alongside tangata whaiora (people seeking wellness) in Aotearoa NZ was informed by my experience of the dignity of persons who were too often labelled; medicalised; forgotten; and ignored. The pure dignity of lived experience lifted me up; helped me avoid being cynical.
Our country feels so backward in a lot of ways particularly on the socially responsible side. Another country I was reading about built apartments for the homeless but then had mental health services available etc etc & it looked a nice building not a crappy shit hole. If you put people in nice surroundings their lives will feel more worthwhile I'm sure.
Yes Pauline - being in action to actually address real housing needs for all obviously takes resource, money and time. But you rightly point out that mostly this simply can be addressed by political will. I’d describe this as “yes we will…house you”. Not the sad tired and dishonest mantra I keep hearing and reading about from the coalition government of “we’re saying yes to growth”.
The problem with right-wingers is: they are hard wired not to have an imagination. It is easy to denigrate the poor and the homeless because they aren't capable of imagining what it must be like to be them. The easiest thing to do is to cart them off into the wilderness where they are seen and not heard.
That is how the right-wing deals with problems. Turn their heads away, pretend they don't exist, ignore the warning signs and don't do anything about them because that would mean they have to admit they exist. As an example, look at the pitiful response to Climate Change. The poor and oppressed come into the same category.
Yes Anne, the imagination brings things out into the open…shining a beautiful warm bright light in areas that desperately need effective and prompt solutions.
I suggest that those with little imagination or who use it infrequently might exist in a world that discounts or denies all that they choose not to value. Pontificating about the natural world and environment as being ripe for further exploitation (“let’s dig baby dig”) is a way of living without imagination. Instead, these people use their logic devoid of caring about people or the planet. It’s a story they keep on telling themselves. The time is long past to change this story. Refer below to David Korten’swork
You express it so well Brian Rathbone. Thank-you.
https://youtu.be/mvZaGVCrcEc
David Korten “Change the Story, change the future”
Well worth a look 🌞
In Iceland and Germany - at least - they have custom built shelters or pods where people can be out of weather in quiet alleys and warm and comfortable until alternatives are found. Auckland and other cities need this now. Then a massive increase in community workers, hostels and apartments and retirement villages for renters are needed. Healthy people and housed people become productive people. The answer to hopelessness is real hope.
A Government with intelligence and ability to think outside their square heads would know this. It would contribute to the economy, GDP and all the goals they value, but they do not have a clue how to achieve a well and successful community and economy.
Four shorter days in a week, living wage - below which employers are criminals - and increase productivity and volunteerism. Healthy community healthier economy.
I agree Don when you wrote: “healthy and housed people become productive people”. And furthermore, there are many reasons to value a person…a productive unit (soldier for the economy) is but one reason.
When I feel included (not ignored / not denied my rights as a citizen) life is healthier and far more enjoyable. Every person deserves the opportunity to thrive not merely exist as a pawn in a system created and led by heartless ‘managers’ pretending to manage the economy.
In 1985 I began working within mental health services and discovered the truth about what tangata whaiora (people seeking wellness) really need. I listened to them. Julie Liebriech’s book “A Gift of Stories “ served to illustrate further how each person I met and worked alongside had a story often saturated with problems. Much of this seemed dominated by stigma and discrimination - being excluded and not listened to was unfortunately a recurrent theme.
https://www.recoverydevon.co.uk/creative_work/gathering-personal-stories-by-julie-leibrich/
To be healthy is to be an active participant in a healthy, dynamic community that actively cares about and respects all members. Some who occupy seats of power and influence need us to be passive recipients of whatever crumbs they deem us worthy to receive. They are more used to taking than giving anyway!
I mean…I enjoy leftover food…Apple crumble especially 🙂 The crumb is filled with flavour.
But the crumbs offered to me (and so many other NZ citizens) by the current coalition of disarray do not taste nice at all.
Their logic and ideology is far from appetising to me. We need a new recipe from fresh chefs. Any suggestions?!? Logic informed by the needs of you and me and other NZers would look very different. Such logic would be balanced (leavened) by a healthy portion of imagination. Anne is onto it…a distinct lack of imagination belies the coalition’s ruthless but heartless agenda
Yes Brian I began to work in metal health and had been previously been building healthy communities. I am 90 now. My photo was at 19! Wellbeing and inclusion is essential to good community.
Started in 1973.
1973 was an excellent vintage Don - from memory Elton John released that v cool double album “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”!
Ha ha yes indeed a youthful photo Don! Have you a connection at all with Inspiring Communities?
No surprises there then Don! Congratulations.
Hi Brian
Some days I cry for my country. Not the comfy country that racists, the greedy ACT, National and Winston Peters followers like to remember because they have had their eyes wide shut. I live in this place called Waitakere in the foothills of the Ranges, cared for and generously shared with us all by Te Kawerau a Maki. Down the road in Ranui, there are always rough sleepers or "beggars" outside the shops. Sometimes they are there because they are lonely, but it is worth pausing, having a chat and finding out what is really going on and they have somewhere to sleep. And doing something, if you can, that is more than charity, but calling our government agencies, and harassing them to do their jobs. Or contacting the local community to ensure there is free kai, as there so often is in my neighborhood. Domestic violence is still a huge issue in Aotearoa, and hidden a lot of the time. And it is not confined to Maori communities.
💯 Darien, while I'm retired my younger partner is still up to her eyeballs in family violence mahi which shows no signs of diminishing. We simply have a massive issue in this country and it sure aint anything to do with one's culture or ethnicity. Ditto the homelessness in our nation which out of sight out of mind isn't going to help 😡.
On a lighter note my older sister used to live along Bethels Beach Road and we all used to enjoy visiting them there and heading out to that wild west coast beach 😁. Sadly her husband died suddenly a couple of years ago so she is now in a townhouse in South Auckland but at least it's by the Manukau Harbour with nice walks.
Half of our voters condone the actions of this heartless regime, a new movie needs to be made describing and explaining the callous selfishness. It could be called ‘How we became the hard hearted’.
Boot-camp was always a suck-up to old, angry reactionaries. It was never actually intended to be the solution to a problem.
AND the BROJEN-HEARTED?
The lost dreams, the broken promises, the lost Kiwis who have had to flee their Homeland for work, denied them at home by a Ruthless Government who does not listen to its people- a Government with an Agenda set by Overseas Greed!
Kia ora Nick and all Nick's Kōrero readers.
I was incredibly saddened to read about the passing of Lee Tamahori.
This tāne produced in my opinion the best movie ever made.
Once Were Warriors was incredibly emotional even if you haven't experienced domestic violence on a personal level.
The movie was raw and so very real. I have no doubt it brought up so many emotions and trauma for anyone who had suffered domestic violence.
Once Were Warriors raised awarness about a kaupapa that was more often than not ignored and sweet under the carpet.
Now onto this disgrace of a government we have.
It's incredibly hard to fathom how this lot can be so damn heartless and utterly deviod of empathy.
All of these things that they have done and continue to do, is just so cruel. They don't give a shit about our tamariki, our vulnerable, our homeless or anyone that is struggling.
I know I shouldn't be shocked at what they do, but they just floor me everytime they open their mouths.
My wife and I booked to see “Once were Warriors” at Manukau cinemas the opening night. We sat middle back. We were deeply moved shaken and hurting for our country and its people. When the lights went up the cinema was Maori wall to wall. We were the only Pakeha. We were totally alien our fellow feeling seemed suddenly empty.
Shades of Washington this year and Beijing prior to the Olympics. The poor and the homeless don't look pretty, do they?!!
Can't have homeless hanging around central Auckland especially the casino and convention centre where Luxflakes wants to have a couple of Michelen starred restaurants for his swanky friends
Yeah, Janette....he's so unbelievably embarrassing to have as a PM, I can't help wondering if he is playing a double game, that he is behaving like a complete buffoon on purpose so Seymour and Willis don't look utterly insane.....??
Well stated as usual Nick.
Once were warriors was powerful movie. I saw it with two friends., one had been raped as a teenager, and the other had left a violent marriage. At the end one ran from the theatre. The other sat very still with tears streaming. I couldn't work out who to comfort. I'm sorry that Lee has died. He was a powerful storyteller.
If a film was made now of the stories of those who are currently homeless, I'm not sure those who judge them would go let alone learn from it. The privileged tend to view those without a home as lesser so that they don't have to face their role in this inequity.
Broken-Hearted
Looking at ACT's failure with Boot Camps & School Lunches, I'm reminded of Seymour's favourite saying, 'Just because it doesn't work in practice, doesn't mean that it won't work in theory.'
OMG! Seymour’s out of touch comment! That is shocking! He makes no sense.
Took the words right out of my mouth, Wikitoria...I think maybe he really IS insane....!...I must admit, something about his perpetual 'oily' smirk makes me squirm....
I remember this from a Treasury adolescent in the late 1980s. Critical of our mixed/civilian model for making Defence Policy. He said, "It may work in practice but it doesn't work in theory!"
Wow! That says a lot!
I watch Once Were Warriors every time it comes on TV, to remind myself, and to feel the emotions it evokes.
Fabulous movie, gritty, honest, horrifying, yet still full of hope, mana, pride and inspiration. The hope that there is a way forward, no matter how bad things get, and the desire to find that way forward despite the obstacles. The sorrow and compassion for those for whom it is too late, and to remember them in helping those that still face this life.
Something this government never does. They are concerned only with self. To having their lives sorted, bugger anyone else.
Until they commit to lifting the most vulnerable in our society, like kids, like youth offenders, like the homeless, like the scared silent victims of poverty and violence, to where life like OWW no longer exists, and actually developing policy that speaks to it, they will never ever be more than money grubbing entitled self-serving pieces of shit.
Mmmm at this stage in my life, I do not plan to put myself forward to become a member of the NZ parliament. Some MPs obviously can and do make a positive impact in their time as a representative of their constituents. But sadly, I guess that many arrive with reasonably good intentions but find the system / old boys club mentality / games they need to play discourage them from being an effective change-maker.
I believe it’s healthy to know if you’re required to play someone else’s game. The choice then is will I play their game or shall I continue to be true to myself. Groupthink and apathy are horrendously destructive in my opinion. Of course, others disagree with me!
A greater challenge for me (beyond retaining my sense of fun and optimism) is to help move those occupying a seat in the NZ Parliament who (a) don’t deserve to be there, and (b) are causing such harm to current and future citizens of our wonderful little country.
And there are so many of both.
Sian, I’m often amused by how many acronyms I (and we) get exposed to. You’ll know EFTPOS from some financial transactions no doubt. You’ve helped me create one anew called MGESSPOS! (“money grubbing entitled self-serving pieces of shit”)
It may have another relevant alternative definition…let me know what you think…
Manipulative Greedy Engineers of a Sickening Substitute for Social Policy
Love it!
Perhaps another…
Monkeys Gyrating to Extremely Slippery Satisfying Pernicious Opportunities for Shitting (on citizens of Aotearoa NZ)
snortles!
I do need to keep my sense of humour…to stay light on my feet and of open mind & heart!
I agree Sian…to recognise what is happening for others in their struggle (which in all reality is all our struggle); to feel and to think and to be moved; to have a response of empathy and compassion…is to be fully alive and fully human.
I enjoy the rhythms contained within Bob Dylan’s song “Dignity”…but even more, I treasure the lyrics.
“…So many roads, so much at stake, So many dead ends, I’m at the edge of the lake.
Sometimes I wonder what it’s going to take
To find dignity.”
Some of my work alongside tangata whaiora (people seeking wellness) in Aotearoa NZ was informed by my experience of the dignity of persons who were too often labelled; medicalised; forgotten; and ignored. The pure dignity of lived experience lifted me up; helped me avoid being cynical.
Our country feels so backward in a lot of ways particularly on the socially responsible side. Another country I was reading about built apartments for the homeless but then had mental health services available etc etc & it looked a nice building not a crappy shit hole. If you put people in nice surroundings their lives will feel more worthwhile I'm sure.
Yes Pauline - being in action to actually address real housing needs for all obviously takes resource, money and time. But you rightly point out that mostly this simply can be addressed by political will. I’d describe this as “yes we will…house you”. Not the sad tired and dishonest mantra I keep hearing and reading about from the coalition government of “we’re saying yes to growth”.