By Olivia Pierson

Dear Zachary is one of those raw documentaries that are impossible to forget.

Made in 2008, it begins as a memoir for a baby son to be shown the outstanding character of his deceased father, Dr. Andrew Bagby. 

While Andrew was a resident intern of a medical practice in Pennsylvania, he was the victim of a murder most foul at the hand of Dr. Shirley Turner, an ex-lover thirteen years his senior. 

In order to avoid spoiling the profoundly personal style of this documentary’s story telling, the less said about it before watching, the better.

Andrew’s best friend Kurt Kuenne embarked on the making of this film as a private gift to the exceptionally decent Bagby family, but as events unfolded in the aftermath of Andrew’s death and the woman who killed him, it took on another purpose entirely of its own - to expose a monstrously unjust legal system.

By Olivia Pierson
First published on Insight@theBFD 13/02/20

[Author’s Edit: Since the writing of this piece, Andrew Little has broken his silence on the topic by confirming that the Labour government will announce changes to NZ’s hate speech legislation before the election.]
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Has anyone else noticed how silent PM Ardern and Justice Minister Little have fallen over the much-touted “fast-track review of NZ’s current hate speech laws”?

There’s a reason for this: it’s an unpopular issue with NZ citizens and we happen to be in an election year.

NZ political commentator, Chris Trotter, spoke about this last week on the Leighton Smith Podcast. Trotter said:

“One of the very few things which could derail this government is Andrew Little persisting with his determination to replicate the laws of the United Kingdom on hate speech here in NZ... if he did that, if he’s allowed to do that... if it were to happen, if Labour and the Greens made that the ditch to die in… David Seymour would reap a very large harvest in votes.  He has put himself at the forefront of the free speech debate and I think libertarians across the country would move out of their lethargy and fight very vociferously any attempt to give us the sort of laws they have in the UK.”

Trotter obviously has a higher view of NZ Libertarians than I do; their lethargy happens to be their most essential feature.

But Trotter makes an excellent point about Labour.

If Little goes ahead because Labour wins a second term in this upcoming election he most certainly will rely heavily on the new model of hate speech provisions that the United Kingdom have adopted. 

What exactly have the UK adopted that our Labour government seeks to implement here?

The Crown Prosecutors Services (CPS) revised its guidelines to prosecutors as to what the definition of a “hate crime” is:

Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on a person’s disability or perceived disability; race or perceived race; or religion or perceived religion; or sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation or a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender.

This subjective perception law applies to “offences” committed online as well as face-to-face and doesn’t have to be reported by the “victim” but by any sticky-beak bystander who takes issue with it.

I have already written about the open persecution of Renaud Camus by these laws as they apply in France (and most of Europe), who received a fine and a prison sentence for criticising immigration. 

We know that Jacinda Ardern and French President Emmanuel Macron already have many silly, but abiding crusades in common, such as prioritising ongoing trade with the failing E.U (instead of America, the most powerful economy on Earth), the Paris Accord climate change hoax and the Christchurch Call initiative against online “violent extremist content.”  

We also now know that violent extremist content means the politically damned viewpoints of decent, honest intellectuals like Renaud Camus, rather than evil be-headers and murderers like ISIS, whose online hate-filled, violent magazine Dabiq is still available for free download in NZ (and probably France).

This is the Orwellian standard we all better get used to if Labour win a second term.  They’re only remaining silent about it because they know in an election year, this issue will not win them votes, but be warned NZ!  If Labour win, our free speech laws will be downgraded to those befitting a Banana Republic shithole.

If you enjoyed this article, please buy my book "Western Values Defended: A Primer"

By Olivia Pierson
First published on Insight@theBFD 6/02/2020

President Trump delivered the best reality TV show on Earth in his State of the Union Speech last night. Touting his incredible achievements thus far, not the least of them being the booming American economy and jobs, jobs, jobs across the board – as he promised his country:

“The days of our country being used, taken advantage of, and even scorned by other nations are long behind us. Gone, too, are the broken promises, jobless recoveries, tired platitudes and constant excuses for the depletion of American wealth, power and prestige.
In just three short years, we have shattered the mentality of American decline, and we have rejected the downsizing of America’s destiny. We have totally rejected the downsizing.”

In the lead-up to this occasion, certain politicians from the Squad of Bunny Boilers who had chosen to gift the House with their absence, only proved to the world how ‘done with democracy’ they really are. We’ve seen this before in SOTU 2018, to say nothing of the rather large cadre of democratic lawmakers who refused to attend the president’s inauguration ceremony in January of 2017.
 
In light of the aggressive, two-year Robert Mueller “Russia investigation” along with the recent spectacular fail of the impeachment attempt on the president, read it and weep with mirth.

President Trump indulged in his usual, unmatched knack of making the issues unforgettably real by having in the audience people who have been most affected by the evils he is up against, such as real-world socialism: Juan Guaidó, Venezuela’s legitimate president (the people’s choice) who has been ousted by authoritarian dictator, Nicholas Maduro, was celebrated in the House.  Guaidó has been visiting European and Canadian leaders in an attempt to garner support to unseat the current, communist government of Venezuela. Trump’s administration morally supports Guaidó, and having him at the SOTU address was a remarkable, public display of that open support. Even the feckless socialist-in-everything-but-name, Nancy Pelosi, managed a clap.

To emphasise his administration’s commitment to medical research and lower prescription prices – and to make the point that the last administration sought to wipe out America’s health insurance industry, President Trump had First Lady Melania wrap the Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour, around Rush Limbaugh’s neck. Limbaugh, the longest standing conservative voice on talk-back radio was diagnosed this week with advanced lung cancer.  Nancy Pelosi did not stand to clap.

Because deranged nutters, like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the Squad of Bunny Boilers, has made so much noise in her nasal squeaking voice about having the whole department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) completely abolished, and continues the push to have the unjust insanity of “sanctuary cities” spread right through the USA, President Trump commiserated over the senseless death of Rocky Jones. Jones, an American citizen, died at the hands of yet another illegal immigrant felon and President Trump invited his grieving brother, Jody, to stand and be recognised by the House: 

“Here is just one tragic example. In December 2018, California police detained an illegal alien with five prior arrests, including convictions for robbery and assault. But as required by California’s sanctuary law, local authorities released him.  Days later, the criminal alien went on a gruesome spree of deadly violence.  He viciously shot one man going about his daily work.  He approached a woman sitting in her car and shot her in the arm and in the chest. He walked into a convenience store and wildly fired his weapon.  He hijacked a truck and smashed into vehicles, critically injuring innocent victims.  One of the victims is a terrible, terrible situation. Died, 51-year-old American named Rocky Jones.  Rocky was at a gas station when this vile criminal fired eight bullets at him from close range, murdering him in cold blood.

Rocky left behind a devoted family including his brothers, who loved him more than anything else in the world.  One of his grieving brothers is here with us tonight.  Jody, would you please stand? Jody, thank you.
 
Jody, our hearts weep for your loss and we will not rest until you have justice.  Senator Thom Tillis has introduced legislation to allow Americans like Jody to sue sanctuary cities and states when a loved one is hurt or killed as a result of these deadly practices. I ask Congress to pass the Justice for Victims of Sanctuary Cities Act immediately.  The United States of America should be a sanctuary for law-abiding Americans, not criminal aliens.”

Nancy Pelosi pretended to be combing through the printed version of the speech and did not clap.

Continuing to highlight his administration’s achievements of the past year, President Trump made mention of the night that U.S Special Forces killed ISIS leader, al-Baghdadi. The parents of murdered aid-worker, Kayla Mueller, cried in the audience as her father held up a large photograph of her youthful face. President Trump said:

“We are joined this evening by Carl and Marsha Mueller.  After graduating from college, their beautiful daughter Kayla became a humanitarian aid worker.  She once wrote, “Some people find God in church, some people find God in nature, some people find God in love.  I find God in suffering.  I’ve known for some time what my life’s work is.  Using my hands as tools to relieve suffering.” In 2013, while caring for suffering civilians in Syria, Kayla was kidnapped, tortured and enslaved by ISIS, and kept as a prisoner of al-Baghdadi himself. After more than 500 horrifying days of captivity, al-Baghdadi murdered young, beautiful Kayla.  She was just 26 years old.

On the night that U.S. Special Forces operations ended al-Baghdadi’s miserable life, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley received a call in the situation room.  He was told that the brave men of the elite special forces team that so perfectly carried out the operation had given their mission a name: Task Force 814.  It was a reference to a special day, August 14, Kayla’s birthday.  Carl and Marsha, America’s warriors never forgot Kayla, and neither will we.  Thank you.”

Nancy Pelosi made it onto her tottering feet to give a little clap.

We’ve all seen politicians speak in the House about ideas and policies, but President Trump has an extraordinary ability to connect those ideas and policies with the powerful human drama that is the everyday result of them.  

In a beautiful example of this, he singled out one of America’s many stoic wives and mothers – Amy Williams, a mother who works full-time and volunteers to help out other military wives, all while raising her two small children as their father serves in Afghanistan on his fourth deployment:

“Amy’s kids haven’t seen their father’s face in many months.  Amy, your family’s sacrifice makes it possible for all of our families to live in safety and in peace, and we want to thank you. Thank you, Amy. But Amy, there is one more thing. Tonight we have a very special surprise. I am thrilled to inform you that your husband is back from deployment.  He is here with us tonight, and we couldn’t keep him waiting any longer.”

To a heartfelt applause by the House, Sergeant Townsend Williams trotted down the stairs to embrace his family – the ubiquitous tears and spontaneous chants of “USA! USA!” were undeniably moving. Most of both sides of the House applauded – even Nancy Pelosi as she buffered the emotion off by pretending to comb through the copy of the speech (again). 

Continuing his address in this spirit of unbridled hero worship, President Trump proudly celebrated America as a “land of heroes,” reminding the audience with soaring words about the people who have made this country’s legacy – Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Amelia Earhart, Harriet Tubman, the Wright brothers, Neil Armstrong “and so many more.” 

“This is our glorious and magnificent inheritance. We are Americans. We are pioneers. We are the pathfinders. We settled the New World. We built the modern world. And we changed history forever by embracing the eternal truth that everyone is made equal by the hand of almighty God.

America is the place where anything can happen. America is the place where anyone can rise. And here on this land, on this soil, on this continent, the most incredible dreams come true.  This nation is our canvas, and this country is our masterpiece. We look at tomorrow and see unlimited frontiers, just waiting to be explored. Our brightest discoveries are not yet known.  Our most thrilling stories are not yet told. Our grandest journeys are not yet made.

The American age, the American epic, the American adventure has only just begun. Our spirit is still young. The sun is still rising. God’s grace is still shining. And my fellow Americans, the best is yet to come.  

Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.  Thank you very much.”

As the House rose to its feet to applaud these magnificent words, including Nancy Pelosi, she then chose this highly visible moment, this note of providential celebration in honour of America’s abiding and inspirational greatness, to make a show of tearing up the speech for the entire country to witness.
 
For whom did Pelosi do this recklessly contemptuous act? AOC in absentia – the future, female, wannabe leader of the Democratic party who is famously on record for hating America (calling it “garbage”) even more than she does?
 
All the wonderful, written words about these people the president had just mentioned and honoured, including some whom Pelosi had deigned to applaud herself, were consciously tossed onto the desk, torn and discarded by her own two hands in front of the cameras.

For writers like me who have been making the case that the Left hates America and despises its great legacy, this was a moment of absolute vindication that we have charlatans like Pelosi squarely pegged accurately. “America?!” The Dems have been shrieking, “Just rip it up!  It’s worthless!”

Political drama doesn’t get much better than this.

For the clarity of the yawning divide now openly and undeniably evidenced, thank you President Trump! There are those who love America and those who utterly despise everything it stands for. Pelosi just showed the whole world where she and her party stand.

President Trump just made history again, for the good. Pelosi just made it too, by aiding the spectacular suicide of the Democratic party.


If you enjoyed this article, please buy my book "Western Values Defended: A Primer"
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