Unrelentingly negative

Written By: - Date published: 11:19 am, September 26th, 2019 - 29 comments
Categories: climate change, Donald Trump, global warming, jacinda ardern, science, Simon Bridges, uncategorized, United Nations - Tags:

National has been unrelentingly negative about Jacinda Ardern lately.  Clearly they have decided that the best way to win back power is to tarnish her reputation and spray mud everywhere.

Which is why it seems that they have decided to criticise everything that she does for some reason.

Take for instance her recent 20 minute sit down with Donald Trump in New York.  These events are highly scripted and normally targeted at achieving immediate progress on issues.

In this case she chose to try and advance some pressing trade issues.

She did not talk about climate change.  I can understand why.  It would have been a total waste of time.  Even Jacinda with her considerable abilities of persuasion would not have been able to change his mind.

It is a shame that some media commentators have also fallen into this trap.  Bryce Edwards in particular has written negative article after negative article about the Government.  His latest is a doozie, he claims, and parrots National claims in the process, that there is liberal dissatisfaction with Ardern because she did not call Trump a steaming waste of space during their bilateral.

This is Hamish Price a group of liberals in a Wellington woke cafe quality nonsense.  Speaking as a liberal left winger who despises everything about Trump I thought that Jacinda’s use of precious face time was perfectly appropriate.  Telling him he was the biggest threat to humanity in the world would have been a complete waste of time, even thought it is true.

Better to let others mercilessly mock the POTUS.

And Jacinda used her valuable time at the UN Climate Change summit to remind the world that we are in a crisis and to advance her goal to make social media more respectful and less dangerous.

She also announced a new trade deal with other progressive nations intending to end oil subsidies and support alternative energy.  From Radio New Zealand:

New Zealand is to launch into negotiations with four other small countries to remove tariffs on environmental goods such as solar panels or wind turbines, and curb fossil fuel subsidies.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced the move at the United Nations in New York alongside leaders from Norway, Iceland, Costa Rica and Fiji.

In a press release this morning, Ms Ardern said it would also set up measures to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies.

The Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS) agreement intends to:

  • Remove tariffs on environmental goods and make new commitments on environmental services
  • Establish concrete commitments to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies
  • Develop voluntary guidelines for eco-labelling programmes and mechanisms

Ms Ardern could not put a dollar figure on how much a deal would be worth, but the countries involved are far from New Zealand’s major trading partners.

She accepted it was a small initiative, but said she hoped other nations would also come on board.

“Trade can’t sit outside of our work to tackle climate change. In fact international trade rules are uniquely placed to be part of the solution by removing trade barriers for green products and services and stopping pollution being subsidised,” Ms Ardern said.

But National chose to attack Ardern and her trip by spraying mud in various directions:

https://twitter.com/amyadamsMP/status/1176053311067189250

Of course the criticism completely ignored Jacinda’s speech to the UN.  Which essentially was a very well crafted gentle yet direct attack on the sort of world that Trump wants to maintain.  Again from Radio New Zealand:

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has delivered a rebuke over calls for nationalism and implored world leaders to work together, in a speech starkly different from that delivered earlier by US President Donald Trump.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has delivered a rebuke over calls for nationalism and implored world leaders to work together, in a speech starkly different from that delivered earlier by US President Donald Trump.

Speaking to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday evening local time, Ms Ardern also urged those gathered to take care with their words online.

The address stood in contrast with Mr Trump’s earlier remarks to the summit condemning globalism.

Ms Ardern spoke of the need for countries to work together to combat crises like the 15 March terror attack.

“Experiences in recent years should lead us to all question whether any of us ever truly operate in isolation anymore.”

And on climate change her speech could not have been more different to Trump’s talk of unbridled nationalism.  She said this:

“Our globalised, borderless world asks us to be guardians not just for our people, but for all people.”

She referenced comments by scientist Robert Sapolsky who encouraged people to move away from “fierce nationalism or self-interest” and instead reform tribes on values of humanity and kindness.

“We may feel afraid, but as leaders we have the keys to create a sense of security, and a sense of hope. We just need to choose.”

So National’s claim that Ardern did not talk or act about climate change is utter bunkum.

And all this relentless negativity was undone by National botching up an advertisement that badly wrong that it deleted the offending material.

Expect it to continue.  Audrey Young has offered some very prescient advice to Simon Bridges that some times he should just button it.  I don’t think that this is advice he will follow.

29 comments on “Unrelentingly negative ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. weka 1
    26 September 2019 at 11:32 am

    That Thunberg burn of Trump is how to do it. Then a tweet thread on not giving her haters attention, just move on to the actions on Friday.

  2. weka 2
    26 September 2019 at 11:34 am

    Don't know what National think they are doing, but they were even down on the plan to have a plastic bottle buy back scheme. Bah humbug.

    • bwaghorn 2.1
      26 September 2019 at 11:39 am

      It's a coservitave thing ,they hate change of any type .

      Shit when ogg first hid in a cave from a storm conservative ooy sat out in the cold moaning and pointing out that no good would come from hiding in caves.

  3. greywarshark 3
    26 September 2019 at 11:40 am

    "spray mud everywhere"

    The problem is then to get better windscreen wipers installed on National Partys’ 4x4s whining up hill and down dale, stomping the country.

    And for personal use, tiny ones to clear the mist and foam off glasses so more can be seen to gain a clear picture.

    Perhaps it is not the National Party not having an 'ounce' of interest in the citizens and economic welfare of NZ (as they haven't got modern enough to really accept the metric scale). Perhaps they haven't retreated to Victorian economic and social thinking that is singularly backward and unable to cope with the future which is now upon us. Perhaps all they need is to clear their minds and their vision and get some integrity (if they know where to buy it).

  4. Stuart Munro. 4
    26 September 2019 at 12:06 pm

    I see it as an issue overdue for reform – perhaps there needs to be a citizen ombudsman role critiquing opposition performance – we really don't require a frankly stupid opposition throwing caca like a cage full of monkeys, but incisive well-reasoned criticism that might in this instance have had a crack at the unmandated horror that is globalism and the irresponsibility of governments that impose it by fiat on their long-suffering citizens.

  5. Hooch 5
    26 September 2019 at 12:13 pm

    National/Bridges have lost it big time. The take out from this is what? That Bridges would have gone into that meeting and lambasted Trump over climate change? That he’ll stop coal use? Anyone would think he was a climate champion. What a joke. I wonder what Trump would have made of his recent ass licking trip to China. I wouldn’t be surprised if he raised it as a concern with Ardern during their meeting.

  6. AB 6
    26 September 2019 at 12:38 pm

    Looks like we might buck the trend of weak, liberal, centrist governments being replaced by clown fascists. While that's a good thing, some part of it must be due to the low quality of the clown fascist on offer. I'm sure that Nats have more effective ones in the wings. Jude has a bit of the Bolsonaro swagger – with Kiwi characteristics of course.

  7. joe90 7
    26 September 2019 at 12:47 pm

    spraying mud in various directions

    National are the lampreys of NZ politics. They're jawless so they rely on their primitive mouth parts to suck the life out of their victims and when challenged, they exude slime, lots and lots of slime.

  8. roblogic 8
    26 September 2019 at 1:33 pm

    I don't mind if the opposition is critical, but National under Bridges is dysfunctional, delusional, and paranoid. They ought to use this time in opposition for some introspection, soul searching, and clean out of the toxic elements in their party that make them unelectable.

    In their current mode of outright lies, fear and disinformation they are damaging democracy and political discourse. They don't have any constructive policy options instead relying on personal attacks and unsubstantiated allegations.

    Soimon Bridges claiming he has the best interests of Kiwi families at heart? What a sick joke, he works for the 1 percenters he meets in the Koru lounge, and of course the CCP. Working families and young people (anyone who didn't already own a house) are materially worse off after the last national shambles of government

  9. Treetop 9
    26 September 2019 at 1:55 pm

    How many people other than Trump and Ardern were in the meeting?

    Am I correct in saying that it may of been one official from each side.

    If this is the case, some of what was discussed is restricted. Trump does not need to flaunt who he trades with and how he may trade. I actually think that Trump can learn from our PM.

    I doubt the invitation would have been extended to the leader of the National Party.

  10. Dukeofurl 10
    26 September 2019 at 3:48 pm

    House Speaker Trevor Mallard is cracking down on MP's using Parliament's footage for attack ads

    Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard has ordered all political parties to remove online videos which feature MPs in the House which do not have the expressed consent of the MP being featured.

    His ruling follows National using a video of Labour MP Deborah Russell in the House last week in an attack ad the party ran on social media.

    Mallard this afternoon ordered that all such videos be removed by 5pm tomorrow.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12271288

    Standby for a river of tears and tantrums from bovver boy Bridges or he blames it all on a ‘junior staffer’

  11. tc 11
    26 September 2019 at 4:35 pm

    Get used to it. The hollowmen will be refining it for the GE next year and with their considerable resources hoping for the best with this motley crew.

  12. JustMe 12
    26 September 2019 at 8:02 pm

    I think the NZ National Party and its various MPs need to know one important thing now when it comes to Simon Bridges' rantings and raving. The more he runs down Jacinda the more it reflects badly back upon him and of course the NZ National Party as being stupid, Village Idiots and of course immaturely petty.

    It shows up National MPs as being weak and gutless because every time Bridges opens his mouth he says some pathetic ramblings that don't put National or their MPs into a very good let alone worthy of votes at the next General Election light.

    It shows up the fact there is NOT ONE NZ National Party MP with the guts to pull up Bridges and say "This(your attack syndrome)is just not good enough and it's not a good image for National as we(NZ)get one day closer to the next general election).." If not ONE National MP pulls up Simon Bridges then it shows NOT ONE National MP merits a NZ voters' vote.

    Simon Bridges is a poor example of the NZ National Party and if National ever expect to be voted in at the next election it's time they did away with Bridges and even Paula Bennett in the 'leadership roles'. Both appear to be self-serving and self-obsessed and of course publicity seeking junkies. And so are attention seeking media junkies like Bennett and Bridges really what the NZ National Party want or are they the NZ National Party now scraping the bottom of the political party barrel because that is about the only choice they have?

    It's time for National to have some guts and call out Bridges and Bennett. If they don't then they could well be in for a thrashing at the next election. But then all Bridges and Bennett needs to do is call up the mainstream NZ media and especially Hosking and Garner to give them the attention seeking drug addiction they(Bennett and Bridges)so enjoy.

    Speaking facetiously but Simon Bridges needs to give himself a pat on the back for accomplishment. And that is every time he appears on the telly I grab the remote control and the mute button. It works every time and his mouthing expressions look so comical after that.

    • roblogic 12.1
      26 September 2019 at 8:46 pm

      Chris Bishop seems relatively intelligent and rational. The rest are a squawking flapping brood of clucking idiots

    • Treetop 12.2
      27 September 2019 at 7:09 am

      See how many current National MPs exit from the party next year. Amy Adams has got it right, bail out and go and do good else where because it cannot be done where she currently is. It takes good leadership to do good things.

  13. Marcus Morris 13
    26 September 2019 at 9:36 pm

    I was very embarrassed by Bryce Edward's vacuous article that made it to the Guardian. I looked for space to comment was couldn't find it. He is coming across as a shallow Tory troll.

    • tc 13.1
      27 September 2019 at 6:14 am

      As are all the msm regulars. Another egotist being paid to keyboard wank in public with acceptable content.

  14. In Vino 14
    26 September 2019 at 10:05 pm

    If all you nasty people keep accusing National of being negative, they'll probably go into denial.