When a right becomes a wrong
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1:26 pm, October 31st, 2024 - 66 comments
Categories: climate change, erica stanford, human rights, racism, terrorism, uncategorized -
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The Atlas aligned Free Speech Union takes on a number of interesting issues.
A look at their website suggests that campaigns chosen tend to align with right wing talking points.
They object to police being taught how to detect hate speech and hate crimes. They are wanting to protect the ability to abuse trans gender people and are opposed to transgender people receiving the right to not be discriminated against. Yep it sees the ability to be a bigot about gender is a right that needs to be preserved.
Weirdly they are trying to get submissions made to the Covid Inquiry and in particular are asking people to comment on whether existing legal protections were sufficient for people who faced repercussions for their opinions held on the COVID response. Cookers are obviously welcome.
Paul Goldsmith aka Goldie is praised and thanked for canning hate speech laws. And the FSU asks the Christchurch Call not to silence kiwis.
They state that we must preserve tolerance and speech in debate over the Israel-Gaza conflict without once even hinting at the genocide that the Israeli forces have committed on Palestinians or attacks on UN Peacekeeping forces or UN Aid workers or Press reporters. A commitment to free speech should include a commitment to protecting the Press.
Instead the reference is to “a Member of Parliament required Police protection to leave a protest in Auckland Domain because he expressed an unpopular opinion”. The reference is to Phil Twyford and I was present at the protest where this occurred. He was booed by some in the crowd when he made a statement criticising Hamas as well as Israel. There was no violence and although police were present he did not need police protection.
Only the Free Speech Union would essentially criticise upset Palestinians while completely ignoring the egregious breaches of human rights being conducted against the Palestinian people.
About the most significant local freedom of speech issue, the banning of gang insignia the Free Speech Union has put out a couple of press releases and made a submission on the bill but there is no sign of the FSU making it into a campaign.
It is clear that the FSU is a front for supporting right wing ideas and to attack progressive ideals. And the more dissent they cause the better.
And their views are so simplistic.
The latest campaign is their support for Candace Owens to be allowed to enter the country. I am sure that it is not a coincidence that they should take this stance because Young Labour has urged the Government to not allow her to come here.
From Radio New Zealand:
Young Labour has published an open letter urging the government to follow Australia’s lead, and stop Candace Owens entering the country.
The conservative US commentator and Trump supporter has caused controversy with her views questioning the holocaust, and criticising feminism, the Black Lives Matter movement, and trans people.
She is booked to deliver a speech in Auckland next month – and had been expected to continue to Australia until she was refused entry. Tickets were selling for between $95 for general admission and $1500 for a VIP package with a pre-show dinner, champagne reception and meet-and-greet.
Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke said the country’s national interest would be best served with Owens somewhere else, as she could “incite discord in almost every direction”.
In a statement, the Free Speech Union lobbying group said New Zealand should not “commit the same blunder”, as “provocative or unpopular opinions are not a reason to deny someone’s entry into a country”.
Young Labour president Ethan Reille disagreed, and called on the coalition government to deny Owens entry to New Zealand.
“Her views are not merely just controversial, but they are dangerous. So we do have an obligation to be protecting our communities from that kind of rhetoric that empowers divisive movements. So it is our view that allowing her a platform would fail to uphold our core values.”
Free Speech Union member Dane Giraud said it was far better to have all ideas out in the open.
“Bad ideas are beaten by good ideas, and good ideas can only rise to the top in a robust and open debate. Listening to views that go against established opinions is simply an opportunity to make your own argument stronger. If you disagree with Owens, her tour is an opportunity for this. Equally, if New Zealanders don’t want to engage with Owens, they don’t need to attend her events.
“Those pushing for Owens’ visa to be denied should stop to recognise that censorship doesn’t get us anywhere. Take Australia’s decision as an example: denying Owens’ entry has simply created more interest in Owens and her views than there otherwise would have been.”
Giraud’s comments miss the point. She seems to be saying that Owens has a right to visit which she does not. She also appears to concede that preventing Owens from visiting does not prevent people from finding out what her views are. If so then it makes you wonder why the Free Speech Union should be interested. If Owens’ ability to disseminate her views is not being affected then why should it worry?
Owens is the latest in a line of right wing shock jock commentators who seek fame through notoriety.
Her views are typical of that type.
She thinks that Black Lives Matter protestors are “a bunch of whiny toddlers, pretending to be oppressed for attention”.
She thinks that the US left (presumably Democrats) are “destroying everything through this cultural Marxist ideology.”
Abortion is according to her “a tool for the extermination of black babies”.
Antifa are apparently more prevalent than the KKK.
George Soros apparently paid people to protest the murder of George Floyd. I must find out where to get my cheque from.
She once called the Walt Disney Company “child groomers and pedophiles”. And she has accused transgender people of “mass drugging children” and claimed the “LGBTQ movement brought with it a sexual plague on our society”.
She has also said that that “Europe will fall and become a Muslim-majority continent by 2050” and that “[t]here has never been a Muslim-majority country where sharia law was not implemented.”
The Christchurch murderer has said that Owens had “influenced [him] above all”
According to her global warming is not real, and she has called it a lie. And welfare is a Democratic Party tool to keep black Americans dependent upon the government.
About facism she claimed that “education about the Nazis was indoctrination comparable to “Soviet tactics”. Bill Gates is a “vaccine-criminal”. And the United States should “invade Australia” because Australia had turned into a tyrannical Nazi-style police state due to its public health precautions against COVID-19.
At least she has been a critic of Israel although she has questioned details about the holucaust.
And the Free Speech Union thinks that we should allow her to visit.
Their view is that not only should Governments allow unpopular speech to occur but it should actually promote this form of speech by giving the speakers the privilege of a visitor’s permit to enter the country and providing police to control the disorder that her speech will cause. And allow them to charge gullible fools huge amounts of money for the privilege of listening to them.
The event is scheduled for the Trusts Arena in West Auckland. I suspect Auckland Council will be having a good look at whether a venue that it supports should be used for this purpose.
Immigration New Zealand is considering Owens’ application and Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has chosen to duck the issue by saying it is an operational matter.
This should be a simple case of the Government telling Owens she is not wanted. I get the awful feeling it is not going to be that simple.
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- Luxon Folds on ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill
Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, is calling Luxon’s leadership a joke after it was revealed this morning on Q+A that ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill was not a bottom line. "New Zealand officially has a laughing-stock Prime Minister whose leadership folded as he trades away the rights of tangata whenua ...9 hours ago
- Prime Minister shirks responsibility on global climate commitment
In an interview with Q&A this morning, the Prime Minister refused to say whether he would commit to meeting the Paris Agreement, the international climate agreement which commits all countries to act locally to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees. ...13 hours ago - Release: All workers deserve fair treatment
The Government’s latest change to the Employment Relations Act has no justification apart from making it easier to sack employees without having to follow due process. ...2 days ago
- Covid Inquiry report underlines need to invest in Health
The Green Party says the report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 Response underlines the need for proper investment in our health system so we are prepared for future pandemics. ...3 days ago
- Waititi Orders Police Withdraw from Matapihi
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki is demanding that the Police Minister immediately remove the heavy Police presence in the Matapihi community, as hundreds of officers saturate the Western Bay of Plenty area. “Minister Mitchell must intervene immediately and order the removal of the armed Police presence in ...3 days ago
- Release: Opposition parties unite on way forward to protect ECE
Early childhood education needs to be treated as a public good, say Labour, the Green Party, and Te Pāti Māori in their newly released report of findings from public hearings they held into the Government’s ECE Regulatory Review. ...4 days ago
- Government’s First Year a ‘Catastrophe for Māori’
Te Pāti Māori is calling the Government’s first year a catastrophe for Māori, following a year of policies that have done nothing but marginalise tangata-whenua. Today marks one year since the coalition was sworn into power. “This year has been an absolute catastrophe for Māori. This Government has fast-tracked us back ...4 days ago
- Release: 1500 Te Whatu Ora cuts will hurt New Zealanders’ health
Massive cuts across Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora demonstrate National’s willingness to risk the health of New Zealanders. ...4 days ago
- Release: Government to make public transport more expensive… again
The Government’s decision to push for significant fare increases on buses and trains over the next few years is a huge blow to communities across the country. ...4 days ago
- Release: National has given up on climate action
Climate action is missing from the list of things National is patting themselves on the back for one year on from becoming government. ...4 days ago
- Public transport fare hikes a disaster
The Government’s directive to councils to increase bus and train fares substantially over the next few years is a bitter pill to swallow for communities across the country. ...5 days ago
- Release: Minister leaves Community Housing Providers out in the cold
Housing Minister Chris Bishop’s speech to Community Housing Providers today should have been titled ‘we want you to build houses, but we refuse to spend money so you’re on your own’. ...5 days ago
- Green Party appalled by woeful Government offer to school support staff
Support staff across Aotearoa have been dealt yet another devastating blow with the release of the latest collective agreement offer from the Government. ...6 days ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins sad to hear about Nikki Kaye
"The news today that Nikki Kaye has passed away after her long battle with cancer is incredibly sad," Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...6 days ago
- Release: Government should be transparent on live exports
Targeted consultation on reinstating live cattle exports by sea won’t allow the New Zealand public to have their say. ...1 week ago
- NZ’s global climate rankings plummet as Govt removes agriculture from ETS
The Government has passed legislation to remove agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) while Aotearoa’s reputation on climate action plummets. ...1 week ago
- Failed boot camp experiment must end
As legislation to set up boot camps passed its first reading, the Green Party urged the Government to abandon this failed policy experiment for the good of our rangatahi. ...1 week ago
- Gender-affirming care must centre evidence and health needs, not political posturing
The Ministry of Health has today released an evidence brief regarding the use of puberty blockers in gender-affirming healthcare, amid moves by the government to limit access. ...1 week ago
- Release: National doesn’t care about manufacturing
The National Government is walking away from our manufacturing sector with constant reports of closures and job losses. ...1 week ago
- Release: David Parker speech – Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change
David Parker's speech from the University of Auckland's forum on Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change in September 2024. ...1 week ago
- Release: Youth mental wellbeing no longer a priority for Child Poverty Minister
Louise Upston has revealed her diminished vision for vulnerable youth against a backdrop of snubbed advice, scrapped priorities, shifted goal posts and thousands more children projected to fall into poverty. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National’s lack of climate action taking NZ backwards
National Government’s backward-looking climate policy has seen New Zealand fall seven places on the Climate Change Performance Index to 41 out of 63 countries measured. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Simple reason for drop in emergency housing
When the Government says it has reduced the number of people in emergency housing, what it means is it is stopping people from accessing it in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt’s child wellbeing strategy ‘shallow and shameful’
The Government is turning its back on children by not only weakening child poverty reduction targets, but also removing child mental wellbeing as a priority focus in their Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: A historic win for Samoan communities
Labour warmly welcomes the Restoring Samoan Citizenship Bill as it passes its third reading, before becoming law. ...2 weeks ago
- Government plan to reinstate live animal exports a “national disgrace”
The Government has taken a giant step backwards by reinstating live animal exports. ...2 weeks ago
- Pasifika justice as Member’s Bill passes final reading
Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, the Citizenship (Western Samoa Restoration) Amendment Bill, has passed its third reading and will become law. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Minister of Education thinks New Zealand ends at the Bombay Hills
The Minister of Education has shown complete disregard for rural communities and their school bus routes in Question Time today. ...2 weeks ago
- Economists sound alarm on Government’s slash-and-burn approach
A group of prominent economists has released an open letter to the Government, raising grave concerns about the far-reaching consequences of its fiscal policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Smoking numbers up under Costello’s watch
National’s repeal of Labour’s smokefree legislation has taken New Zealand further away from achieving a Smokefree 2025 and a smokefree generation. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Call for Palestine recognition by NZ, Australian and Canadian MPs
Parliamentarians from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have written an open letter to their respective Prime Ministers calling on them to recognise Palestine. ...2 weeks ago
- Justice Select Committee opens floor for Treaty Principles submissions
Today, the Justice Select Committee has decided to officially open submissions for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Power of the people on full display as hīkoi approaches Parliament
Today, Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived in Wellington, with thousands gathering to march in unity against the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Hypocrisy as Te Whatu Ora contractor bill balloons
Te Whatu Ora’s bill for contracting and consulting staff has ballooned by nearly 20 percent under the National Government, breaking a promise they made during the election campaign to cut contractors. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Growing pressure to scrap Section 7AA Repeal Bill
The newly released Section 7AA Repeal Bill's select committee report is further evidence that the Government should scrap it. ...2 weeks ago
- Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope
The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today. ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party condemns the passage of Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party condemns the passing of the Treaty Principles Bill at first reading, and is clear that the fight is not over. ...2 weeks ago
- Mautohe Cathedral Cove reopens to walkers
The Government has delivered on its promise to restore public walking access to the popular Mautohe Cathedral Cove in time for Summer 2024-2025. The walking track to the famous Coromandel beach - renowned for its natural rock arch feature and idyllic waters – was severely damaged by extreme weather events ...10 hours ago - Increased medicines access continues following budget boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour is pleased to see further increased availability of medicines for Kiwis following the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When this Government assumed office, ...15 hours ago
- NZ and United Kingdom strengthen partnership
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy held the inaugural annual New Zealand-United Kingdom Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue today in London. “The United Kingdom is our oldest, and one of our closest and most trusted partners,” Mr Peters says. “While we are separated ...2 days ago
- Minister reminds public health officials of priorities
Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti says the National Public Health Service should concentrate its focus on prioritising serious public health issues facing New Zealanders. “Earlier this week I was informed about an 8-page submission by the southern arm of the NPHS regarding a proposed fast food outlet in Wanaka,” ...2 days ago
- World class visitor centre for Punakaiki
Sightseers to the iconic Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Track) will enjoy a richer experience thanks to a world class visitor experience centre run by local Iwi, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. This state-of-the-art facility provides visitors to the West Coast with a high-quality experience and helps boost the region’s ...2 days ago
- Healthy Homes Initiative improves health of more than 200,000 people
A five-year evaluation of the Healthy Homes Initiative has demonstrated the positive impact of warm, dry homes on the health and wellbeing of more than 200,000 people. The Healthy Homes Initiative, led by Health New Zealand, helps families living in cold, damp homes, providing support like education, beds and bedding, ...3 days ago
- A year of concrete progress for infrastructure and transport
In a busy year of delivery, the Government has made concrete progress toward improving the foundations of the infrastructure system and addressing New Zealand’s infrastructure deficit, and is streets ahead when it comes to getting transport back on track, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown say. “It ...3 days ago
- Mining stats show a sector delivering for NZ
New figures on mining activity across New Zealand show the Crown collected nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in revenue in the 2023/24 financial year, bolstered by royalties collected from petroleum and gold, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The statistics, released this morning by the Ministry of Business, Innovation ...3 days ago
- Safer ports – approved code of practice for loading and unloading cargo takes effect today
Today marks a significant milestone for the port and maritime sector, with the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon Brooke van Velden, and the Associate Minister of Transport celebrating the Approved Code of Practice for Loading and Unloading Cargo at Ports and on Ships (ACOP) coming into effect. “The ...3 days ago
- Red Tape tipline gets over 300 reports in first week
In just its first week, over 300 people have reported red tape issues to the new Red Tape tipline, Regulation Minister David Seymour says. “Red tape wastes valuable time, money and sanity. I am not surprised to see an outpouring of discontent from Kiwis who are sick of the tangle ...3 days ago
- More flexible dismissal process for high-income employees
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says an upcoming change to the Employment Relations Act will enable employers to ensure they have the right fit for their high impact leadership and specialist roles. This policy delivers on the ACT-National coalition to set an income threshold above which personal ...3 days ago
- NZ and Germany deepen cooperation
New Zealand and Germany are committed to enhancing their partnership, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our discussions in Berlin over the last few days have underlined the broad range of interests that New Zealand and Germany share,” says Mr Peters, following his meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. ...3 days ago
- Chemical weapons and Iranian missiles targeted in new Russia sanctions
Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced new sanctions in response to Russia’s ongoing illegal invasion of Ukraine – and joined partners in a Call to Action on sanctions-evading ‘shadow fleet’ activities. “These new sanctions respond to recent findings by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons that illegal ...3 days ago
- Exporters benefit from new trade system
The modernisation of New Zealand’s trade certification system, which supports $33 billion of exports, is making selling top Kiwi products overseas more reliable and adaptable for the future, Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard says.“New Zealand food and wine is admired around the world and brings jobs, money, and opportunities into ...3 days ago
- Whanganui to benefit from the latest health technologies
Today’s opening of a new MRI facility at Whanganui Hospital is the latest in a number of health infrastructure projects designed to improve healthcare services for the people of Whanganui and surrounding districts, says Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti. “I’m really pleased to have been able to deliver on ...3 days ago
- Strengthening timber trade with new assurance system
The Government is delivering on its commitment to combat trade in illegally harvested timber, with consultation starting today on operational details to implement New Zealand’s legal harvest assurance system, Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today. “The system will limit the risk of importing illegally harvested timber and provide the international ...3 days ago
- Royal Commission into COVID-19 phase 1 report received
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden has today received the report from phase 1 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19. “The delivery of the phase 1 report marks the conclusion of phase 1 of the Inquiry. Phase 1 Commissioners Professor Tony Blakely and John Whitehead have now ...3 days ago
- More support in reading and maths for Kiwi kids
The Government is ensuring more Kiwi kids get extra support with their reading and maths by boosting the level of targeted interventions in classrooms around the country. “We are relentlessly focused on giving more Kiwi kids confidence at school so they can achieve their potential. Due to high demand, we’re ...4 days ago
- SH1B Telephone Road to reopen next year
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has confirmed that State Highway 1B (SH1B) Telephone Road in Waikato will reopen in 2025, following agreement by KiwiRail and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) on a package of improvements to enable the road and rail crossing to function safely and effectively together. “Economic growth, productivity, and ...4 days ago
- Growth of clinical psychology pipeline welcomed
The University of Canterbury is to be commended for increasing its intake of clinical psychology students, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey and Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds say. “This Government is focused on increasing access to support and growing the workforce is critical to this,” Mr ...4 days ago
- NZ and France agree to intensify close relationship
New Zealand and France have renewed efforts to work together more intensively in the Indo-Pacific and on issues of mutual importance, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “It’s been a seriously productive few days in Paris, with New Zealand and France redoubling our efforts on bilateral relations, strategic alignment and ...4 days ago
- Squeezing more bang for buck from blackcurrants
The Government is backing a project to squeeze more value out of New Zealand blackcurrants, Associate Minister for Agriculture, Nicola Grigg says. “We’re investing in a two-year project with PharmaZen Limited to add value to our blackcurrant industry by piloting a processing facility in Canterbury which will allow growers to ...4 days ago
- First charter school announced to open Term 1 2025
Associate Education Minister David Seymour today announced Christchurch-based Mastery Schools New Zealand – Arapaki as the first new charter school set to open in term one 2025. “This announcement is a significant step in the Government’s efforts to lift educational achievement in New Zealand,” says Mr Seymour. “Charter schools will ...4 days ago
- More relief for Kiwi families
The latest drop in the official cash rate will mean more relief for Kiwis’ backpockets, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The 50 point drop in the rate is the third drop since August, meaning the rate has fallen 125 basis points in that time. “That is good news for families ...4 days ago
- Action on lifesaving immunisations
Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti has praised hauora Māori providers for continuing to lift delivery of life-saving immunisations across all ages and all populations. “In the first 10 months of the Immunising our Tamariki programme, hauora Māori providers have now delivered more than 69,000 vaccinations across all population groups, ...5 days ago
- Speech to the Community Housing Aotearoa Annual Conference
Introduction Growing together. An apt slogan not only for this year’s CHA conference but also for how good partnerships between the Government, Community Housing Providers, Iwi and others can work to enable better housing outcomes for New Zealanders. It's my pleasure to be here with you this morning as we ...5 days ago
- Fewer than 1000 Emergency Housing households
A strong focus on supporting people into better homes has seen the number of households still in emergency housing reduce to under 1000 since the Government came into office one year ago, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “The total number of households living in emergency housing motels has been ...5 days ago
- Māori housing partnership to deliver 198 affordable rental homes
An $82million Government investment into Māori housing providers will benefit many whānau across the country, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. Supported by funding administered by Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, 12 Māori housing providers will create a total of 198 whare in areas ...5 days ago
- ‘A path less travelled’ – delivered to the French Institute of International Relat...
Before beginning today, we would like to acknowledge the French Institute of International Relations. You have contributed to debates about international affairs over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. Can we also thank the Institute’s founder and Chairman, Thierry de Montbrial, and Deputy ...5 days ago
- Data set to quantify how business events benefit tourism
Today the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Matt Doocey announced Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) will be the first recipient of the Tourism Data Partnership Fund at the industry body’s annual conference. “Understanding how business events contribute to New Zealand’s economy will help regional tourism organisations to make critical decisions ...5 days ago
- Trade Minister heads to Canada for CPTPP
Trade Minister Todd McClay will travel to Vancouver today for the 8th Commission Meeting of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). “CPTPP is a gold-standard free trade agreement. The accession by the United Kingdom and the interest shown by other economies shows the value of the Agreement,” Mr ...5 days ago
- Supporting rural New Zealand: one year of action
Farmers and rural communities are the backbone of New Zealand’s economy. Over the past year, the Government has delivered practical reforms to reduce costs, cut red tape, provide certainty, and get Wellington out of farming. With 80 per cent of all the goods exports coming from the primary sector and ...6 days ago
- Speech to the Community Housing Aotearoa Annual Conference
Introduction Good morning. It’s great to be here at the Community Housing Aotearoa Conference and to see so many people dedicated to fixing New Zealand’s housing crisis. I’d firstly like to congratulate you on celebrating 20 years. Well done, and here’s to 20 more. I’d also like to thank you. ...6 days ago
- Levelling the playing field for Community Housing Providers
The Government has agreed to a series of changes to remove barriers faced by Community Housing Providers (CHPs) in delivering social housing, Housing and Associate Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Social housing is an important part of New Zealand’s housing market, providing affordable rental housing for low income tenants. CHPs ...6 days ago
- Statement on Nikki Kaye
Prime Minister and National Party Leader Christopher Luxon and Deputy Leader Nicola Willis are deeply saddened by the passing of Nikki Kaye, a cherished colleague, friend, and former Minister, Deputy Leader and Member of Parliament for Auckland Central. “Nikki’s contribution to our party, her community, and New Zealand has left an ...6 days ago
- Advisory group to focus on organised crime
Cabinet has approved the establishment of a Ministerial Advisory Group on transnational and serious organised crime, Associate Police Minister Casey Costello announced today. “This is an important step to ensuring we have a better cross-government response to fighting the increasing threat posed to New Zealand by international and domestic crime ...6 days ago
- Funding for 50 new senior doctors, more nurses
Frontline funding by the Government will enable the employment of 50 new senior doctors, as well as additional specialist nurses and other health professionals. “This will reduce wait times, enhance patient safety and support vulnerable specialties like dermatology,” says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “Our senior doctors are key to ...6 days ago
- Board of inquiry for Te Awamutu waste-to-energy proposal is appointed
Judge Brian Dwyer has been appointed as chair of the newly established board of inquiry for the Te Awamutu waste-to-energy proposal, alongside a group of high skilled individuals, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “I am pleased to announce Judge Brian Dwyer of the Environment Court as chair,” Ms Simmonds says. “With a ...6 days ago
- PM marks one year in Government
As the Government marks a year in office this Wednesday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is committed to continuing to take bold action on the economy, law and order, health and education. “I’m aspirational for New Zealanders and energised by our ongoing fight to rebuild and grow the economy to reduce ...6 days ago
- New Police station in Auckland CBD
Today, Police Minister Mark Mitchell, alongside newly appointed Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, welcomed the announcement of a new police station in central Auckland. “Public safety is at the heart of this Government’s law-and-order programme, and increasing police visibility across our main CBDs is a key part of that. “Having a ...6 days ago
- West Papua: Once was Papuan Independence Day, now facing ‘ecocide’, transmigration
On Papuan Independence Day, the focus is on discussing protests against Indonesia’s transmigration programme, environmental destruction, militarisation, and the struggle for self-determination. Te Aniwaniwa Paterson reports. By Te Aniwaniwa Paterson of Te Ao Māori News On 1 December 1961, West Papua’s national flag, known as the Morning Star, was raised ...4 hours ago - Crown-Māori relations ‘probably worse’ than a year ago, Christopher Luxon says
There is "more division" nowadays, PM says, but blames much of that on the previous Labour government. ...5 hours ago - Tjibaou’s party unveils plan for New Caledonia’s future ‘independence’
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk New Caledonia’s largest pro-independence party, the Union Calédonienne (UC), has unveiled the main outcome of its congress last weekend, including its plans for the French Pacific territory’s political future. Speaking at a news conference on Thursday in Nouméa, the party’s newly-elected ...10 hours ago
- Labour leader Chris Hipkins speaks at party’s annual conference
Live - Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins is speaking at the party's annual conference in Christchurch. ...12 hours ago
- Protesters condemn Fiji ‘complicity, silence’ over Israel’s Gaza genocide
Asia Pacific Report A Fiji solidarity group for the Palestinians has accused the Rabuka-led coalition government of “complicity” in Israel’s genocide and relentless war in Gaza that has killed more than 44,000 people — mostly women and children — over the past year. The Fijians4Palestine have called on the Fiji ...13 hours ago
- ‘Exciting’: Nanaia Mahuta is ‘re-entering’ politics
The former Labour minister has returned to Labour after taking a year off, but says it's not her "intention" to run again. ...15 hours ago
- Final sitting days to follow intense government scrutiny
There are just five House sitting days of Parliament left, which will feel like a warm down after what happens prior - five tough days of government scrutiny, with help from a watchdog. ...16 hours ago
- Sharp-shooter McKenna leads a remarkable basketball surge
Mid-Northern Whai are surging. The Tauranga-based franchise has won four of its last five games in the Tauihi basketball league to storm into playoff contention.Currently fourth, Whai could finish as high as second or slump to the bottom of an increasingly competitive and unpredictable competition. Their last fixture of the ...17 hours ago - Treaty Principles Bill only one of the issues Labour’s focussed on – Chris Hipkins
But the party is also focussed on jobs, healthcare and education, he says. ...18 hours ago
- ‘Counting down’ on climate implies an end point
Opinion: Each year since 2016 the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change has published annual reports that document the devastating health impacts of a heating world. The report for 2024 announces a ‘new phase’ of increased scope and ambition, in a desperate attempt to alert the world to the ...20 hours ago
- An Ode to .. King Luxon
It Was a Very Good YearThe scribes and pamphleteers fill the Great Hall.It is the afternoon of the Annual Press ConferenceOf King Luxon the First.The scribes scuffle amongst themselvesTo get a good seat.“O King, How do you feel your first yearOn the Golden Throne has gone?”,Inquires an eager scribe.“What I ...20 hours ago
- Australian printmaker Ruth Faerber has died aged 102. She never stopped making art
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanna Mendelssohn, Honorary Senior Fellow, School of Culture and Communication. Editor in chief, Design and Art of Australia Online, The University of Melbourne In 1974, when a local Sydney newspaper wrote on the success of two local artists, they were introduced using ...1 day ago
- COP29: Pacific takes stock of ‘baby steps’ global climate summit
By Sera Sefeti in Baku, Azerbaijan As the curtain fell at the UN climate summit in Baku last Sunday, frustration and disappointment engulfed Pacific delegations after another meeting under-delivered. Two weeks of intensive negotiations at COP29, hosted by Azerbaijan and attended by 55,000 delegates, resulted in a consensus decision among ...1 day ago
- Gallery: Palestinian musicians, poets and solidarity partners in vibrant celebration
Asia Pacific Report Palestinian diaspora poets, singers and musicians gathered today with solidarity partners from Aotearoa New Zealand, African nations — including South Africa — in a vibrant celebration. The celebration marked the UN International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and similar events have been happening around New ...1 day ago
- City Rail Link: French executives to fly to NZ as officials raise concerns over costs
French executives will be flying to New Zealand to discuss the timing and budget of the Auckland City Rail project after concerns from officials about its deadline. ...1 day ago
- New Zealand Nurses To Hold Nationwide Strike
The fight for free and universal health care must be linked with the political struggle for the socialist reorganisation of society. Workers cannot limit their demands to what the parliamentary parties and union bureaucrats claim is “realistic” or ...1 day ago - Willie Jackson decries coalition and Treaty Principles bill at Labour Party annual conference
Speaking at the Labour Party annual conference, Willie Jackson criticised the coalition leaders for their respective roles in the Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 day ago
- How did Health NZ spend $72m on a single IT project?
Analysis - RNZ's Phil Pennington digs into how a single costly project is a test case for what can go wrong in infrastructure project planning. ...1 day ago
- Call for children to have their own representation in relationship break-ups
The difference between a stable home and being in crisis can be as simple as the loss of a job or a relationship break-up, advocate Mark Henaghan says. ...2 days ago
- Cool water from the deep could protect pockets of the Great Barrier Reef into the 2080s
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chaojiao Sun, Research Group Leader, physical oceanographer, CSIRO marcobrivio.gallery/Shutterstock For coral reefs, climate change is an existential threat. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef has endured seven mass bleaching events over the past 25 years. Five have occurred in the past eight years. ...2 days ago
- Chris Hipkins calls for Labour to change to win 2026 election
New Zealanders have lost faith in Labour, and "we need to reconnect with a much broader range of Kiwis", the party leader says. ...2 days ago
- Dunedin hospital: Warning given just before cutbacks
Clinicians warned officials about the dangers of scaling down the new Dunedin hospital project just two days before the government announced cutbacks. ...2 days ago
- The Secret Diary of .. Luxon’s anniversary
MONDAYA year since I became PM! David Seymour had his feet up on my desk when I came into work this morning, and said, “Happy anniversary! I got you a little something.”He threw a parcel at me. I fumbled it, and it dropped onto the floor. I could hear glass ...2 days ago
- The good, the bad and the ugly of mumfluencing
The dark side of ‘mumfluencing’, which is monetising the mummy lifestyle using social media, has lately been on display.Child abuse, fake kidnapping reports, and pulling children out of school permanently to fulfill social media committments are among the growing list of serious issues in headlines lately.And then there are the ...2 days ago
- Short story: A New Zealand Elegy, by CK Stead
Towards the end of the war, when the German death camps were one by one being overrun by the advancing Allies, our newspapers had been full of photographs of the dead and the nearly dead: piles of corpses, their stick-like arms and legs pointing in all directions; or living skin-covered ...2 days ago
- The Weekend: A guide to The Spinoff, for readers old and new
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was. This week The Spinoff published an open letter about the financial reality we find ourselves in. If you haven’t read it yet, here it is (spoiler: it’s bleak but hopeful). The point within it about the appreciation for the work we do ...2 days ago - ‘Blood everywhere’: David Correos on his shocking Give Us a Clue appearance
Comedian David Correos takes us through his life in television, including the genius of Spongebob Squarepants and the pitfalls of being ‘the Burger King guy’. If you’ve glanced at a television some point in the last few years, you’ve likely encountered David Correos. The Billy T award-winning comedian delivered a ...2 days ago
- How to start reading again this summer
Books editor Claire Mabey on tips for getting back into reading for pleasure. It’s December and you’re fritzed. Your concentration is at an all-time low and you’re dredging every particle of energy from your very bone marrow to get to the end of the working year, when you can put ...2 days ago
- Dear Air NZ, stop the flashy safety videos and bring back flights to Kaitāia
Air New Zealand’s latest safety video, featuring Steven Adams and a cast of local stars, would have been expensive. That money could be better spent improving services, lowering fares, or reinstating cut routes, argues Liam Rātana. Sigh. Another year, another tiresome Air New Zealand safety video that probably cost way ...2 days ago
- ‘It’s so funky here, you can smell it’: Sam Fowles’ perfect weekend playlist
Pōneke musician Sam Fowles shares his perfect weekend playlist. “Punchy”, “psychedelic” and “introspective”: Pōneke singer Sam Fowles describes his debut album, After Dark, as a genre-bending “musical exploration of my inner world” driven by groove. “It’s a modern take on the blues – today’s blues, just dressed up differently. These ...2 days ago
- God defend the breast screeners of New Zealand
After having her first mammogram, Anna Rawhiti-Connell finds efficiency, reassurance and care in a beleaguered public health system. I have a very Swiss attitude towards my body. In the interests of peace and stability, body neutrality has been my go-to policy since entering a period of detente four years ago ...2 days ago
- A thank you to the family who gave my child a heart
We were waiting for another child to lose their life to give our son a second chance. Life and hope and unimaginable pain colliding. November 30 is Thank You Day, a day of appreciation dedicated to those who make organ donation possible. I’ll never forget the moment my now-husband told ...2 days ago
- Open letter plea by NZ community broadcaster for end to Israel’s ‘sadistic cruelty’ in Gaza
Pacific Media Watch A community broadcaster in Aotearoa New Zealand has appealed for an end to the “sadistic cruelty” and the “out in the open genocide” by Israel in Gaza and the occupied Palestine territories. In an open letter, Lois Griffiths, co-presenter of the environmental, social justice and current affairs ...2 days ago
- Peter Kaye, the father of former National MP Nikki Kaye, has died
Former National deputy leader Nikki Kaye died last Saturday after a long battle with cancer, at age 44. ...2 days ago
- Māori lawyer goes viral for educating people on Treaty Principles Bill
Riana Te Ngahue's bite-sized breakdowns of complex Māori issues are educating audiences far beyond Aotearoa. ...2 days ago
- Privatising health care ‘not my overt policy’ – Shane Reti
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Let her visit Palestine.
I saw Bomber's criticism of Young Labour's stand on this calling it part of the culture war and saying "groan". Sometimes Martyn gets it so wrong. Go for it Young Labour. It's great you are part of a political party and are organising. I spent a lot of time when I was younger being told I didn't know shit by grumpy older people. Did I listen? Nope.
I don't think you got his point. I generally disagree with everything Mr Bradbury thinks but on this issue he raises a very good point. Young Labour by coming out with this view looks like it wan ts to shut down any ideas that they disagree with. That weaponises Free Speech for the right. When was the last time a major left wing political organisation stood up for people stating controversial views?
Maybe they do not want someone to come over here and stir up a load of trouble. She still has her well funded megaphone to use. She can do it from overseas.
"Do not want someone to come over here and stir up a load of trouble" – That's what conservative movements in various places used to think (some still do) about movements pushing for civil rights. Did you ever see the movie "Mississippi burning"? Now you can argue the cause was right but the sentiment expressed by those opposed to it was exactly as you phrased it.
So you seem from the above comment that it's ok for people to be abused and denied their rights as a human being, if it doesn't affect you in anyway. Have a think about what that says about you.
Human beings do not have the right to promote hatred. On the other hand when people are facing discrimination based on race, colour, religion, sex, and country of origin; where people have unequal voter registration requirements; where there is racial segregation in schools, accomodation and employment discrimination – they have a right to stand up to those abuses, and to express their frustration and dissatisfaction as loudly as as they want within the law, and if they are not being heard, unfortunately they will usually increase that protest until they are. So it is important for those of privilege to listen to the cries of anguish before things get out of hand. We have a war in Gaza that is a direct result of those in power not listening to the cries of the oppressed for 75 years.
Of course people have the right to promote hatred. I see it on this site alot with various people promoting hatred against landlords, capitalists, National party, imperialists, Trump, Israel, etc etc. You can choose to hate whoever you want and you can (or at least should be able to) try and convince others to join in your hate. What shouldn't be allowed to happen is for you to promote actions that are harmful based on that hate. For example you can hate that Israel is carrying out a war against the people in Gaza and even hate the very idea of Israel itself but if you then call for violence against Israelis then you have crossed the line.
Why am I not surprised you would think that.
Except…
1961 is a tad antiquated (Apologies to anyone in their 7th decade or older).
"..to excite disaffection against, Her Majesty, or the Government of New Zealand, or the administration of justice; "
This site is full of attempts to excite disaffection against the Government and "Shane Jones has described “elements of totalitarianism” in the justice system " sounds like an example of to excite disaffection in the administration of justice.
Your comment epitomises the irrevocable irony that so many dogmatic free speech crusaders often use slippery sloppy language and inconsistent or self-contradictory arguments to stake their claims.
Will someone think of the poor landlords and capitalists. What a tough time they are having!
Worse than the Muslim community in Christchurch on 15 March 2019, in my mind…
Or Israelis calling for violence against 'Hamas' where they define Hamas as any Palestinian killed or injured by obvious indiscriminate bombing, snipers or by IDF unethical induced outbreaks of disease.
I regularly see that in Israeli news. I also see it whenever I look in the shitpits of the right like X or Kiwiblog.
That is actual promotion of hatred.
Quite possibly true. If you are in agreement on that point then you should be happy to restrict actions against people to that and not merely expressing or promoting "hateful" views.
//—
Warning: That sounds perilously like you are trying to put words in my mouth. But also worded to be ambiguous as it doesn’t appear to differentiate between me and my role in the site. I’d strongly suggest that you don’t try either tactic. Because it makes it so easy for me to to pick how I choose to view it. It pays to not be ambiguous when addressing moderators.
//—
You are aware of our policies.
The site (and I) draw the line about people who advocate or incite violence. Which is why much of the crap in right wing shit holes doesn’t happen here. That has been our policy for a long time.
We follow NZ law on this site along with our general policy rules about leading to robust debate. We only have to constrain occasionally on things that would violate NZ law, probably because we tend to hand extremely long bans for anyone who is trying to cause the site to deal with courts.
We do wind up spending quite a lot of time dealing with people making unsubstantiated assertions of fact, lack of clarity of why they hold an opinion, just plain boring repetitions, and simple hypocrisy (see the policy for the ‘Gosman’ rule).
//—
The problem with Candace Owens is that in NZ her expressed views from afar have directly promoted extreme violence and murder towards NZ citizens and residents. Even more so for those who have proven that they been successful in inducing some deranged and now convicted idiot to go out and kill 50 odd people.
Personally I’d let Owens in. I’d like her to be arrested at the border under sections 66 and/or 70 of the Crimes Act 1961. She, according to the perpetrator of the terrorist attack in Christchurch, effectively incited him to do that heinous crime.
I would like to see her charged for that. Then properly let the courts decide if it is substantiated. A campaign to lay complaints with the police, with preparations for a private prosecution if they don’t act immediately would be interesting to pursue.
I'd love for someone to try and prosecute her under those laws. It would be hillarious as there is ZERO evidence she has called for anyone to commit heinous terror crimes against anyone. Merely expressing views against certain groups is not the same thing.
They're not controversial views she's spouting – they are hateful. There is a huge difference. But I guess from your position of entitlement you are blind to that.
Are her views actually hateful, or do you feel they are hateful because you disagree with them. It seems to me you feel offended because someone is defying you, by having what you view as the wrong opinions.
Explain how the views are hateful?
If you can't see why her views are hateful, eg “a tool for the extermination of black babies”, then I am sorry for the pair of you.
Meanwhile..
A Texas woman died after the hospital said it would be a “crime” to intervene in her miscarriage. “Doctors said it was “inevitable” that Josseli Barnica would miscarry. Yet they waited 40 hours for the fetal heartbeat to stop. She died of an infection three days later.” (ProPublica)
What are her hateful views?
I keep hearing about certain people who have “hateful views”, I never hear what their actual views are. I do hear plenty about counter protesters, who threaten violence to shut down anyone who dares to utter these so called hateful opinions.
You have Google.
Surprising to see you on here defending anti-Semitism and Holocaust denial … or pretending you don't know because you deliberately don't want to know, just to "score a point".
Observer, I do believe you are indulging in “gaslighting”, if you are going to accuse me of Holocaust denial, I would like you to provide evidence, which you can’t.
It seems to me that you just want to suppress any one who has ideas or opinions that are contrary to yours.
Suppress? The opposite. I want you to know who Candace Owens is, and what she has said. Read more, learn more.
You said you don't know her views, but that's easily fixed. You can know with a few easy clicks. You don't seem to want to know.
https://forward.com/fast-forward/637413/trump-fundraiser-drops-candace-owens-after-backlash-over-her-embrace-of-antisemitism/
https://www.mediamatters.org/candace-owens/holocaust-denier-nick-fuentes-celebrates-candace-owens-she-has-been-full-fledged-war
This …
https://x.com/admgoldman/status/1823843836877009313
They're not controversial views she's spouting – they are hateful. There is a huge difference. But I guess from your position of entitlement you are blind to that.
Thanks MB. To make things even worse these views are motivated by money and greed and the desire to get really stupid people to pay her money to trot these views out. And she wants to come over here to do it.
Like a confused moth to a flame, ACT apparatchik trots out the well worn line about shutting down ideas they disagree with.
But reading general discussion on Candace Owens over the years, and increasingly recently, nearly everyone disagrees with her except the Christchurch murderer and similar, so why not crush it?
Precisely.
Agreed Darien. Good on Young Labour for standing up on this.
Yes I hope the wider Labour party takes up this cause. It will be of great benefit to the Right.
I can't see the down side. Party advocates that we do not allow into the country the person who the Christchurch shooter says was his biggest influence?
I am happy you see no down side. Will you be pushing for this to be a policy of the Labour Party then?
Yep we're so much better off now that Trump and others opened the door for racist people to feel free to spout their vitriol, for cookers to spout their conspiracy bull-shit.
It used to be I never got invited back when I challenged sexist and racist views (as a older white male often the truth came out when only older white males were left in the room).
Now I sometimes get invited back as some form of blood-sport I suspect.
The thing is it isn't about what she says at the end of the day – anyone can read that on the internet. It's about the ability to emotionally support and encourage vulnerable people into particular thinking and behaviour. Just like cult leaders and church leaders and other scoundrels they are coming to press emotional buttons.
Poster needs updating as Oz banned her but they've got Pauline Hanson and the equivalent of fox news kinda occupying that space.
Sure, as long as bad ideas aren't amplified by a global, right-wing propaganda machine aimed solely at generating outrage that can be weaponized by its masters. Or aren't articulated by a class grifters who aren't here for a robust debate: simply to spew their poison in bad-faith, take a fat fee, and then run crying to their mates on the right about their "oppression"
New Zealand has never had an absolute right to free speech similar to what's offered by the 1st Amendment to the US constitution. We've always accepted there are some forms of speech so outrageous, so vile, or so plain toxic, they shouldn't be given the space and oxygen to spread.
The problem for you is you can't really define what speech is allowed and what isn't. This leads to situations where people like Jordan Peterson are included in the group of people that should be denied a platform.
Yes, but Gosman, did you not support the visits to NZ of the Chilean torture ship Esmeralda?
I have no idea what you are meaning here?
Was it being used as a torture ship at the time it came to NZ or was this at some stage in the past? In which case lots of ships would be denied entry to NZ waters for what they were used for in the past.
"In which case lots of ships would be denied entry to NZ waters for what they were used for in the past."
Or currently, if modern slavery in the fishing industry is a concern to anyone.
Alwyn, are you sure that's not (also) your problem? Unless, of course, open slather (free-for-all) is your cuppa.
Imho, that Guterres quote is relevant to a point in Micky Savage's excellent post:
Candace Owens may well be a lovely person, but clearly some of her influence has been malignant in the extreme. Better safe than sorry?
The 1st amendment relates to government shutting down media and individuals, with some exceptions related to criminal activity and to incitement to violence.
" The Court has used this exception to justify prohibitions on distributing and possessing child pornography, on soliciting crime, and on announcing discriminatory policies. Lower courts have used it to justify restrictions on speech that informs people how crimes can be committed;….[and] on intentionally distressing speech about people." Wiki US Free Speech.
If Australia–that could not vote yes–has asked this wind up merchant not to come…doh…it could be an indicator. Let her visit I say but it is hard to tolerate with Incel Dave into banning gang patches.
Owens is only popular because she is a beautiful afro american woman.
We have had 185 years of Right wing bigots in all the power positions in this country.
Wiston Peters John Banks Norm Jones Lockwood Smith 40 years of ZB hosts who are old White Right wing male curmudgeons.
David Seymour Invasion denier is just the lates in along line of White Right Wing backside lickers. The pay is great though it is an aquired taste napparently.
And this is why calls for people like Candice Owens to be denied a platform to speak in NZ are a slippery slope. You seemingly are now including people like Winston Peters and David Seymour in the same category as Owens which then begs the question – Why not ban them as well?
When did winny or rimmer say anything in relation to blood libel?
Or mocked the Holocaust, Or said Judaism is a religion of pedophilia?
And if they did…
It’s not principle your standing on Gossy, you standing with the far right loony squad.
The "Free Speech Union" is remarkably selective in their causes to support.
NZ citizens and residents (and media) should indeed have as much free speech as possible, but that basic principle doesn't interest the Fake Speech Union.
A "prominent political figure" has been found guilty of serious crimes, but in NZ we are still not allowed to know his name. Anyone who supports free speech believes the guilty party should not have name suppression. And yet … the Fake Speech Union has had little to say on the matter.
No need to wonder why.
On the provenance of Owens and co.
https://allhiphop.com/rumors/candace-owens-exposed/
http://www.thefogbow.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=815
Nice to see my initial suspicion, grifter, confirmed.
A young female version of Clarence Thomas.
Sure it’s now an organised part of right wing politics – rich men creating all these fronts, including influencers.
Back in the day grifting was of ones own initiative. Use affirmative action to get a place at a prestigious law school and then oppose it after graduation. And become a GOP mouthpiece on Capitol Hill and get onto SCOTUS on “merit”.
Didn't the wolf pack killer in Christchurch jerk over her?
Most of the shit I heard about her, was rape fantasies from the misogynist crowd.
She claims Moslems invented slavery, clearly she has not read either the OT or NT, both mention slavery.
A silly way to play nice with the Old South, just because one is financed by right wingers. It's so dumb, it's like being at one with them – without actually "wench bedding" with them.
Is she, the black "Charlie Kirk"?
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/27/australia-rejects-visa-application-by-rightwing-us-pundit-candace-owens
She founded an organization in 2018 called the “Blexit Foundation” to encourage Black people to leave the Democratic party
https://x.com/RealCandaceO/status/1588924658640097282
A right wing talking point sums up the career of Candace Owens.
She wrote a book claiming the path to prosperity was via right wing politics (like get in on this pyramid selling operation early).
She works for Turning Point.
She is married to George Farmer – UK Turning Point (celebrity Catholic; ex Bullingdon an invitation only club at Oxford Cameron and Johnson etc), whose father is in the House of Lords and they apparently engaged within weeks. So no, bed wenching
https://people.com/who-is-george-farmer-candace-owens-husband-8386561
https://neverdaunted.net/the-problem-with-political-bed-wench-candace-owens
She has been on campaign for women to be mothers (pre the cat lady comments this year).
https://nwlc.org/right-wing-group-tells-young-women-that-marriage-and-children-are-all-that-matters-heres-why-we-should-be-relieved/
Her relationship with ADL.
Their take.
https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/candace-owens
In the tweet shared by Owens, Blumenthal had written that “White American Jews are living through a golden age of power, affluence and safety,” and that “Acceptance of this welcome reality threatens the entire Zionist enterprise, from lobby fronts like the ADL to the State of Israel, because Zionism relies on Jewish insecurity to justify itself.”
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-721591
She clearly has no idea of actual history or the bible. Obviously the Egyptians, Assyrians, and Babylonians merely assisted the residents of Judea to go to work in exile in their cities.
/sarc
If you want to know the more extreme stuff.
1.German fascism was only a problem when it went extra territorial.
2.
3.
4.This
https://x.com/admgoldman/status/1823843836877009313
'Bad ideas are beaten by good ideas, and good ideas can only rise to the top in a robust and open debate'.
Not only do Giraud’s comments miss the pont. They are like the nonsense usually spouted by Seymour… Simplistic parroting of a radicalised mind.
The best ideas will rise to the top more quickly and more easily if bad ideas are not around in the first place. Debating bad ideas just takes up resources. We don't owe a non-resident any of our resources.
How do you decide if an idea is bad or not?
Values, empathy, a moral compass are a must. So, very challenging for some to be able to work out…
51 dead people
+1
Fark I don't know why we have to argue this.
We don’t and we shouldn’t [waste our time on this]; it’s sealioning, IMO.
She didn't kill 51 people nor did she advocate for the killing if 51 people nor did she say they killing of 51 people was a good thing.
Owens courts controversy to monetise her views, and it's not like she builds leaky homes, but clearly some of her influence has been extremely malignant.
If our CoC govt sees fit to approve Owens’ visit to NZ, then maybe she'll punch (down on) a few Kiwis – not that we need to the shown how it's done.
https://www.keepitrealonline.govt.nz/parents/illegal-material/what-is-violent-extremism/
https://www.keepitrealonline.govt.nz/parents/illegal-material/recognising-the-signs-of-radicalisation/
Please explain why Giraud’s comments are not correct. Merely stating they are is not a very convincing argument.
Use your imagination.
Somebody with a megaphone on a stage is always going to win the ‘debate’ and you wouldn’t recognise and accept a ‘good’ idea if it didn’t fit into the narrative inside your little head that’s already quite clouded with biased nonsense.