Daily review 21/03/2023

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, March 21st, 2023 - 22 comments
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Daily review is also your post.

This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day.

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22 comments on “Daily review 21/03/2023 ”

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  1. tsmithfield 1
    21 March 2023 at 7:05 pm

    The Christchurch Cathedral construction on the news tonight.

    The reconstruction is something that really annoys me. What a colossal waste of money. Plus, I doubt it will ever be as safe as a new building, whatever they do to strengthen it.

    Anyone who has travelled around Europe will know that most villages have something more spectacular than the ChCh Cathedral. And, it is not like there is a world shortage of Gothic architecture. Compared to what is overseas, the ChCh Cathedral is a cheap gothic knock-off. For instance, the ChCh Cathedral looks decidedly tacky compared to, say, Sainte Chapelle in Paris.

    We missed the opportunity to replace it with something that reflects our culture and who we are. Something that would be iconic for the future for probably half the price of the Cathedral reconstruction.

    • Bearded Git 1.1
      21 March 2023 at 7:37 pm

      But surely the only reason you oppose it in reality is because that wonderful socialist Jim Anderton supported it?

      • tsmithfield 1.1.1
        21 March 2023 at 7:49 pm

        Not at all. I oppose it for the reasons stated. I am sure there were right-wingers in favour of the restoration as well. So, nothing political in my views.

        In contrast, I was very much in favour of the restoration of the Town Hall, because that is iconic Kiwi designed architecture.

        I think people in favour of the Cathedral rebuild probably haven't travelled enough.

        • AB 1.1.1.1
          21 March 2023 at 9:23 pm

          Yeah. I was hoping they'd do something like Coventry Cathedral. Leave the ruined bit (strengthened and made safe) and incorporate a modernist building alongside in a harmonious fashion. It would create a deepened sense of the sacred.

          • tsmithfield 1.1.1.1.1
            21 March 2023 at 10:17 pm

            Yes. I have thought that as well. It would have made a good monument to the earthquake as it was.

            • Phillip ure 1.1.1.1.1.1
              22 March 2023 at 3:21 pm

              When george bernard shaw visited chch he thought that cathedral was a clumsy pastiche of different styles..and kinda ugly..

              He said the catholic cathedral was a much better example of the genre..

              (Shaw was not catholic..)

    • Muttonbird 1.2
      21 March 2023 at 7:44 pm

      I support your position. The rebuild of this cathedral does not make sense when a new structure could have provided more meaning.

  2. Anker 2
    21 March 2023 at 7:26 pm

    https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2303/S00372/statement-from-mayor-tory-whanau-regarding-the-let-woman-speak-event-in-wellington.htm

    So we hear sfa from Tory for months and then she comes out with this.

    I wanted a Mayor who would concentrate on fixing the city’s many problems. And didn’t Tory say during her campaign that her strength was communicating and bringing people together? Yeah right

    • ianmac 2.1
      21 March 2023 at 7:31 pm

      Her statement is pretty good Anker. Free speech but no bigotry.

      • Shanreagh 2.1.1
        21 March 2023 at 8:28 pm

        She talks only of the Rainbow community. She is also reading from the Greens talking points. We know she was part of the Greens when we elected her.

        When though, is someone going to speak clearly about the community of women? We don't seem to exist anymore unless we are part of an 'other'.

        Being afraid to say the name woman or even that women may have rights or even exist (outside of an initial) seems a bridge to far for some folk, including Tory Whanau.

        This is why KJM is getting a hearing, I suspect, as she is firmly on the side of women in all our permutations.

        Just out of academic interest I found Mayor Whanau's statement quite odd. In fact I worked out, generally, if she had taken out the second sentence or clause of every paragraph the statement could be stronger and more appealing.

        "There has been considerable interest from the rainbow community regarding this event. I want to make it very clear that I strongly condemn the views and actions of this group.

        “While I acknowledge that The freedom of expression, movement and peaceful assembly are rights preserved in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, this protest is against principles many Wellingtonians, and me personally, hold dear.

        “In Wellington we proudly celebrate and welcome diversity and inclusion of all members of our community. A great example of that will happen this weekend when around 100,000 come together to enjoy CubaDupa.

        “(While) people are free to express their views at the event, troublemakers are not welcome in Wellington. I will not welcome them. We will work closely with Police to ensure the event and any counter protests that may occur are peaceful.”

        On closer analysis I also worked out that I am not in the least bit interested in what Mayor Whanau thinks personally about this issue. She also cannot assume that when she speaks personally she is speaking for all.

        She was elected to be Mayor, to have a set of priorities/policies that would strengthen Wellington and its people. She does not speak for anyone personally.

        On an even closer analysis actually it is a terrible piece of writing that is full of weasel words and qualifiers. Once you take outside the 'me', 'me' 'I' focus it says nothing really. In civil and human rights terms the statement is better without personal views.

        The head of Comms in WCC has been there for ages and really knows his words. I wonder did he or his team write it? If he did I suspect it was a stripped down version and the me, mes have been added.

        My version. (no charge Mayor Whanau)

        "There has been considerable interest from the rainbow community regarding this event in Wellington held by pro women's rights campaigner KJM.

        The freedom of expression, movement and peaceful assembly are rights preserved in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990 and people are free to come along, listen & express their views at the event.

        Troublemakers though are not welcome in Wellington. We will work closely with Police to ensure the event and any counter protests that may occur are peaceful.”

        “In Wellington we proudly celebrate and welcome diversity and inclusion of all members of our community. Another great example of that will happen this weekend when around 100,000 come together to enjoy CubaDupa.

      • Anker 2.1.2
        21 March 2023 at 8:53 pm

        "There has been considerable interest from the rainbow community regarding this event. I want to make it very clear that I strongly condemn the views and actions of this group.

        t“While I acknowledge that freedom of expression, movement and peaceful assembly are rights preserved in the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, this protest is against principles Wellingtonians, and me personally, hold dear."

        Is Tory saying that Letting women Speak is "against the principles Wellingtonians and I personally hold dear"

        I am afraid she is not speaking for all Wellingtonians. She portrayed herself when a candidate as someone who could bring people together and communicate well with a range of groups. She has shown herself to be anything but.

        This is also one of the few communications I have seen from Tory since she was elected.

        • Shanreagh 2.1.2.1
          21 March 2023 at 9:04 pm

          Yes good points Anker.

          She has been noticeably silent on a whole range of issues affecting all Wellingtonians then bursts into print, using her position, and saying in her personal view that she speaks for all.

          Most odd.

  3. ianmac 3
    21 March 2023 at 7:28 pm

    Is this a new poll from Talbot Mills? Dated 21 March.

    Labour led the field with 37 per cent up 4 points from last month, while National trailed on 34 per cent – down 2 points.

    Act rose 2 points to 12, while the Greens fell 3 points to 8.

    Te Pāti Māori was on 3.2 per cent, and NZ First was at 2.9 per cent. TOP rounded out the smaller parties on 1.5 per cent.

    Luxon's preferred PM dropped 4 points since last month.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/national-leader-christopher-luxon-falls-to-new-low-in-poll/UATZJNSCNJAETH5XW5RUODMD3Y/

  4. joe90 4
    21 March 2023 at 8:31 pm

    The wonderful Sister Rosetta Tharpe, born 1915 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, performing on a Manchester railway station platform in 1964. Somehow this woman isn't in the Rock n Roll hall of Fame, but Madonna is.

  5. joe90 5
    21 March 2023 at 9:04 pm

    Hard to see how this can end without bloodshed.

    https://twitter.com/timjacobwise/status/1637928359819718658

    Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also angered neighbouring Jordan for speaking at a podium covered in what appeared to be a variation of the Israeli flag that showed an Israeli state with expanded boundaries that included the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza and Jordan.

    "Is there a Palestinian history or culture? There is none," he can be heard saying in footage of the speech he gave on Sunday at a conference in France shared widely on social media. "There is no such thing as a Palestinian people."

    https://nordot.app/1010545861208096768?c=592622757532812385

  6. Shanreagh 6
    21 March 2023 at 9:13 pm

    My dad who spent much time in Palestine during the war, had a good grip on Middle East issues, and always had misgivings about the concept of Israel, would not be surprised at the belief of some Israelis that there is no such things as Palestinians.

    His view, like mine, you don't make progress in eliminating discrimination by giving rights by that you've taken from others.

  7. SPC 7
    21 March 2023 at 10:52 pm

    Former Green Party Chief of Staff and former member Tory Whanau

    Doing interviews so Auckland can see what a mayor born in the 20th C looks like.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/the-front-page-tory-whanau-on-changing-wellington-council-and-authenticity-in-politics/77G5UXUHXFELXMCF3NMYPG6BNY/

    Tory Whanau told The Spinoff’s When The Facts Change podcast that National’s transport spokesperson would push Wellington ‘backwards’ if he becomes transport minister.

    https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/27-01-2023/mayor-deeply-concerned-at-prospect-of-simeon-brown-as-transport-minister

    100 days what's up

    https://www.innercitywellington.nz/latest-news/2023/2/5/wondering-what-tory-whanaus-council-has-been-doing-since-elected-first-100-days

    Paul was re-elected to the council last year on a Green Party ticket, after being first elected in 2019 as the city’s second-youngest councillor, while running as an independent.She is one of three Pukehīnau/Lambton Ward councillors and chairperson of Kōrau Tūāpapa Environment and Infrastructure Committee.

    She had spoken to Wellington mayor Tory Whanau​ and colleagues, and was “pretty confident I can continue to perform my duties while campaigning, without my campaign impacting my job”.

    Whanau, a former Green Party staffer, said she was “a bit sad”, given what a wonderful councillor Paul was, adding she didn’t want to lose her.

    “It would be a loss for council. That’s more a testament to how good she is at her job.”

    Whanau would be especially sad to lose Paul’s voice as a young wāhine Māori from council and the environment committee, but was supportive of Paul’s bid though.

    Wellington mayor Tory Whanau supported Pauls’ bid, but said she would be sad to lose her as a councillor.

    Wellington mayor Tory Whanau supported Pauls’ bid, but said she would be sad to lose her as a councillor.

    “In the end this is an opportunity for Wellingtonians to decide, to vote on where her talents best sit. Is it with council or Parliament?”

    Paul’s talents being employed in central government could be a “huge benefit”, she said.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/131134891/mayor-backs-young-councillors-green-party-bid-for-wellington-central-seat

  8. tWiggle 8
    21 March 2023 at 11:01 pm

    I was looking for the title of a book that I owned years ago, written in alternate chapters by an Israeli Jewish journalist from a military family and a Palestinian who had run the media for the PLO as a young activist. They had become good friends and had a desire to set the record straight.

    Their history of the expulsion of Palestinians and the opportunistic power grab by Ben Gurion's government was eye-opening. It shattered my simplistic view of kibbutzes and brave Jewish refugees in an empty land. Jews who had been turfed out of their homes and businesses in Europe turfed out in turn Palestinians from their homes, businesses and country. This is the great injustice at the foundation, literally, of the State of Israel post-1948.

    The assassination in 1995 of Yitzak Rabin, at a point when Israel could have healed this wound by adopting a One State solution, was a disaster for Israel and for the Middle East.

    Sorry, couldn't chase up that excellent title for you, and it's probably out of print anyway. However, off to get this recent chilling backgrounder by an Israeli Jewish historian from the library.

    The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine

  10. ianmac 10
    22 March 2023 at 8:46 am

    Yes. Presence and talent! Thats for Rosetta thanks Joe.