tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.comments2024-03-18T23:58:10.256+13:00AGAINST THE CURRENTUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1916125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-60148727578867045742024-03-15T10:00:00.414+13:002024-03-15T10:00:00.414+13:00No, just disappointed by your commentary. No, just disappointed by your commentary. Steven Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352539377513132294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-7030840602724699982024-03-15T09:58:05.176+13:002024-03-15T09:58:05.176+13:00Still listed as a council member, Chris. I'm s...Still listed as a council member, Chris. I'm surprised that it's escaped your attention for so long.Steven Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352539377513132294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-74546409599793651232024-03-14T10:25:33.886+13:002024-03-14T10:25:33.886+13:00Too much effort for just one person, Steve. Anyone...Too much effort for just one person, Steve. Anyone would think you have been rattled by my commentary. A fulsome compliment, to be sure, but an unsound tactic. Play the ball, not the man, is a better one.Chris Trotterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-20713945854090552482024-03-14T10:22:10.211+13:002024-03-14T10:22:10.211+13:00I reiterate, Steve, I am not a member of the FSU r...I reiterate, Steve, I am not a member of the FSU ruling body. If they say I am, then they are misleading the public and I will certainly be asking them to remove my name from the list of present council members.Chris Trotterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-53976850311286944512024-03-12T09:11:27.934+13:002024-03-12T09:11:27.934+13:00If you are going to attack people and call them of...If you are going to attack people and call them offensive names you should at least have the gumption to publish your comments under your own name.Simon Cohennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-25477618224457596592024-03-11T12:01:48.344+13:002024-03-11T12:01:48.344+13:00I think Trotter has no loyalty but to himself. Thi...I think Trotter has no loyalty but to himself. This prick is working to undermine the left. Has he no shame?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-57032981381875054402024-03-05T16:24:17.582+13:002024-03-05T16:24:17.582+13:00Trotter caught lying again. Pathetic man.Trotter caught lying again. Pathetic man.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-53854245028573931152024-03-04T10:13:08.200+13:002024-03-04T10:13:08.200+13:00To claim Israel is engaged in 'self-defence...To claim Israel is engaged in 'self-defence' is an absolute lie, but it is the argument of people like you who continue to support Israel's barbaric actions. What is Israel 'defending' itself from, exactly? Two million people starving in Rafah?<br /><br />According to the website of the Free Speech Union, you are a board member of the FSU and not just one of its ordinary subscribers. The FSU is a group controlled by supporters of Israel, like yourself, which is why it has not condemned Israel's actions in Gaza. And, despite claiming to be a champion of free speech, it has not seen fit to condemn Israel for the deliberate targeting of journalists in Gaza. Israeli troops have killed over 100 journalists, who are protected under the Geneva Convention. This, in itself, is yet another war crime that Israel has committed. But not only has the FSU said nothing, neither have you. And I think this just about sums up where your politics are at now. <br /><br />For your information, Chris. From the FSU website:<br /><br />Our council members<br />The governing Council of the Free Speech Union is made up of a group of New Zealanders from across the political spectrum who believe that free speech is a value worth defending.<br /><br />THE CURRENT COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE:<br />Dr. David Cumin – Academic<br />Dr. Melissa Derby – Academic<br />Stephen Franks – Lawyer<br />Ani O’Brien – Writer and Political Commentator<br />Chris Trotter – Political Commentator<br />Jordan Williams – Lawyer<br />Dr. Roderick Mulgan – Barrister and GP<br />Steve O'Hagan – Information Management Specialist<br />Steven Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352539377513132294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-36294256326275456862024-03-03T17:35:04.079+13:002024-03-03T17:35:04.079+13:00There he goes again.
To acknowledge Israel's...There he goes again. <br /><br />To acknowledge Israel's right to self-defence, as the UN has done, does not make one a Zionist, Steve. Likewise, to say there may be a case to answer re: "Genocide" in Gaza, is not the same as saying the case has been proved. <br /><br />All the international jurists I have heard agree that proving Israel guilty of genocide will be extremely difficult - and is unlikely to occur. Ask yourself, would the Allies have been found guilty of genocide for the bombing of Dresden? The Nuremburg judges said "No."<br /><br />And, for the record, I am not on the Executive of the Free Speech Union. That is an elected position and I have never stood for election. I remain a member of, and a donor to, the FSU - nothing more. <br /><br />Proclaiming guilt by association is not the sort of behaviour one expects from such a staunch defender of human rights as yourself, Steve.<br /><br />Find a more worthy target for all that anger.Chris Trotterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-59562655424587658302024-03-03T16:08:58.894+13:002024-03-03T16:08:58.894+13:00It does you no credit to say that the destruction ...It does you no credit to say that the destruction of Gaza and the slaughter of over 30,000 people is not genocide. The International Court of Justice says there is a case to answer, but you, apparently, know better. If you're going to be an apologist for Zionism, like your mates on the board of the Free Speech Union like David Cumin, then front up and admit it. Steven Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352539377513132294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-10442471080881576962024-03-03T11:51:56.031+13:002024-03-03T11:51:56.031+13:00I haven't defended genocide in Gaza, Steve. Mo...I haven't defended genocide in Gaza, Steve. Mostly on account of the fact that there is no genocide taking place in Gaza. Appalling loss of life; appalling suffering; indisputably - but not genocide.<br /><br />If you look back at what I've written on the Israel-Hamas War, you will find that I argue that Israel's retaliation, while undoubtedly what Hamas expected and planned for, was, equally indisputably, the worst course of action Israel could have followed.<br /><br />The way you hurl accusations, Steve, regardless of the evidence, or, in too many cases, the established and easily verifiable facts, does you no credit.Chris Trotterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-33844245557366147332024-03-01T06:18:04.782+13:002024-03-01T06:18:04.782+13:00It's not a convincing argument, by any means, ...It's not a convincing argument, by any means, to say that you can support this Govt because it's just like any other conservative government. Have your politics really arrived at a point where the reactionary Winston Peter is preferable to anything the left might offer? But, I guess, if you are capable of defending genocide in Gaza, then supporting Peters is small beer.Steven Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352539377513132294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-27206755288248347522024-02-29T21:37:59.856+13:002024-02-29T21:37:59.856+13:00The "anti-working-class measures" of thi...The "anti-working-class measures" of this government are no better or worse than any conservative ministry since the time of Bill Birch and the Employment Contracts Act - which indisputably was an anti-working-class measure! One which, I I remember rightly, the labour movement, or at least its leadership, refused to fight. I support Labour when its in office for the very simple reason that every once in a while it actually does something useful and vaguely progressive - like Working For Families and KiwiSaver. The last time National did something useful and vaguely progressive, Keith Holyoake was Prime Minister! My apologies for the "sectarian" and "ultra-leftist" jibes, Steve, but honestly - you've called me much worse!Chris Trotterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-71351583055181385882024-02-29T19:35:52.752+13:002024-02-29T19:35:52.752+13:00I was a foundation member of NLP too - and I'v...I was a foundation member of NLP too - and I've got the certificate to prove it. I was at the public meeting in Sydenham where Jim Anderton launched the NLP. I also supported and voted for the Alliance. Since then, I haven't voted. I have not, unlike you, peddled illusions about the Labour Party which you continued to do right through from Clark to Ardern. Indeed, I think you described me as 'sectarian' and 'ultra leftist' for not supporting Labour.<br /><br />I have, many times, stated my opposition to identity politics and that's still my view. But I'm encouraged by some of the comments that Chloe Swarbrick has made and that she, at least, is aware that identity politics remains divisive. I can live with that, for now.<br /><br />Given the anti-working-class measures that this Govt has already announced - fully supported by NZ First - it's not credible to describe NZ First as 'the least worst option'.Steven Cowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04352539377513132294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-48807067724046882762024-02-29T15:20:56.140+13:002024-02-29T15:20:56.140+13:00"Never extended beyond the Labour Party"..."Never extended beyond the Labour Party"?! Come on Steve, I was one of the founding members of Jim Anderton's "NewLabour Party" - the policies of which were well to the left of Chloe Swarbrick and her Green Party comrades. When the Alliance absorbed the NLP in 1991, I staunchly supported it at every subsequent election - from 1993 to 2002. After that I voted Green. Right up until 2023 when, in order to vote Labour, the Greens or TPM, their supporters had to agree that 2 + 2 = 5. Or, if you prefer, that transgenderism's erasure of women's and girls' rights must be accepted; and that the Maori of 1840 had no idea they were transferring sovereignty to the British Crown. (Even if, just 20 years later, at Kohimarama, they reconfirmed they had done exactly that.) With Labour, the Greens and TPM ruling themselves out of serious contention, I was left with the choice of either abstaining, or voting for NZ First, the party best place to exercise a restraining influence on National and Act. That is what I ended up doing. Where there were no good choices, I opted for the least worst option. What did you do, Steve?Chris Trotterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-54084384501752213722024-02-29T10:58:27.980+13:002024-02-29T10:58:27.980+13:00A point left unmentioned is the fact of structural...A point left unmentioned is the fact of structural unemployment. The current economic framework including interest rates and low wage policies includes the requirement that unemployment be maintained just under 4%. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-12876714766127369342024-02-23T21:50:38.657+13:002024-02-23T21:50:38.657+13:00Completely agree with everything you’ve said Completely agree with everything you’ve said Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-79888564293515727202024-02-13T08:59:15.369+13:002024-02-13T08:59:15.369+13:00Is it a coincidence that allegations of antisemiti...Is it a coincidence that allegations of antisemitism are laid at the door of Swarbrick just after announced her intention to run for Green co-leader? It's a well-worn tactic used by the Zionist lobby - throw mud and hope some of it will stick. Look how they went after former UK Labour Jeremy Corbyn and accused him of antisemitism. It's no coincidence that he was a left wing leader who threatened the interests of the UK political elite.Tame knew what he was doing, and he is complicit in deliberately trying to kneecap Chloe. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-8326758997817402342024-01-17T22:15:35.794+13:002024-01-17T22:15:35.794+13:00I wonder if it's not a case that it isn't ...I wonder if it's not a case that it isn't that NZ political scene has changed and that labels like 'left' and 'right' no longer apply, but more a case of Chris Trotter's politics continuing their rightward trajectory. It's madness to claim that you can be left AND support Act. How does that work? Maybe Trotter should describe himself as a 'former left wing commentator'. He should own it and stop trying to pretend otherwise.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-78296794252692164292024-01-15T07:41:07.145+13:002024-01-15T07:41:07.145+13:00Fair comment, Steve. Neither the Right, nor the Le...Fair comment, Steve. Neither the Right, nor the Left, are what they were when we entered the political fray nearly 50 years ago. Humility requires me to point out, however, that I do not describe myself as "New Zealand's leading left-wing commentator" - those are the words of the publisher. The best place to look for a self-description of Chris Trotter is on his blog "Bowalley Road". No nonsense there about being New Zealand's leading leftie!Chris Trotterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09081613281183460899noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-23507384194611857972023-12-30T08:36:13.973+13:002023-12-30T08:36:13.973+13:00It's All been Covered up with 30 Metres of Con...It's All been Covered up with 30 Metres of Concrete after wasting over $60 Million Dollar's 4 Year's & won them 2 Elections including one for Winnie ! Last Christmas they left the 29 Men behind!! So sad what a Waste of 29 Human Being's & All that Money when Bernie Monk's Team of Mining Expert's were only going to Spend $7-$10 Million & be in & out in 12 Months!Little BURDIEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15089130934946143198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-18884831687901727552023-12-18T11:03:00.958+13:002023-12-18T11:03:00.958+13:00Never before in my life has the control and manipu...Never before in my life has the control and manipulation of public discourse via the media been so starkly exposed.<br /><br />The shock started with covid. I didn't even have a horse in the race. I couldn't believe the questions that weren't ever asked amidst a sycophancy toward the government that beggared belief. These people are politicians FFS. <br /><br />This is the epitome of authoritarianism. That the control seems to mostly operate through the 'soft power' of glad-handing, being seen to be on the correct side of ''nice,'' and ostracism should not fool any journalist with half a brain. Authoritarianism is effect, not means.<br /><br />I felt chilled to the bone when the hysterical reporting of this crisis began. Anyone not joining into the single strident narrative devoid any history or context was condemned according to the now all-too familiar trope 'racist. ' No analysis or argument required. <br /><br />We need public watchdogs to hold to principle.whetu starhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07074543747406910208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-59304313877704965642023-12-15T16:01:38.850+13:002023-12-15T16:01:38.850+13:00So a FSU board member, David Cumin, has been tryin...So a FSU board member, David Cumin, has been trying to intimidate a number of NZ academics because they have criticised Israel. If that's the case, his immediate resignation from the board of the FSU is required. If he remains there, then FSU can longer credibly claim it's in the business of protecting free speech. Or is the FSU just a Zionist-front group? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-16593199975572191262023-12-12T16:53:15.542+13:002023-12-12T16:53:15.542+13:00I'm Maori, and it annoys the hell out of me th...I'm Maori, and it annoys the hell out of me that people like Marama Davidson act as if they speak for all Maori. Believe me, they don't. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7257493550531569180.post-33989746493846621942023-12-08T11:23:42.021+13:002023-12-08T11:23:42.021+13:00The allegiance of such ''leaders' is t...The allegiance of such ''leaders' is to their class and privileged positions not to the people.whetu starhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07074543747406910208noreply@blogger.com