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Rule of law vs Individual liberty: the original Right/Left spectrum of America’s Founders
By Olivia Pierson [First published on Incite 10/4/19] Chris Trotter’s latest piece for Incite, Fixing What’s been Broken, raised an important point which has also been occupying my own mind in the last few weeks. Chris wrote: An effective defence of liberal democratic values requires at least one of two crucial qualities. The first is gravitas. A leader able to project wisdom and serious intent is an invaluable asset to any conservative party. If that same leader is also able to convey a sense of hidden strength – menace even – then so much the better. Is National’s current leader in possession of either of these qualities? Does Simon Bridges possess gravitas and/or menace? Not really, but then, does anyone in the present National caucus possess them? Obviously, the answer is a resounding “no.” The entire National caucus is devoid of any members possessing gravitas and/or menace. Another word for menace might be ‘aggressiveness’. Defending a democracy from the insidious freedom-crushers, who are currently seeking to restrict freedom of expression in a frankly totalitarian way, requires an opposition leader to fight back with full-throated, aggressive conviction. Alas, there is no such opposition leader, not even among the minor right-wing parties, such as ACT or even the New Conservatives. The elusive One New Zealand Party doesn’t even have an operational website. In his article, Trotter goes on to pose an important question in light of an Islamic blessing being included in the Anzac Day commemorations at the Titahi Bay service, a day that Trotter points out is our “secular nation’s sole remaining ‘holy’ day”: ...has the official reaction to the Christchurch mosque shootings caused something to break in the political fidelity of those New Zealanders not invited to signal their virtue on Wallace Chapman’s ‘The Panel’, or Jessie Mulligan’s ‘The Project’? Something broke alright. The rage and backlash against the Anzac debacle on social media shows that Kiwis recognise when a government is using a monstrous tragedy for the purpose of normalising Islam in our country. Our ANZACS answered the call to go and fight in the name of God, King and Country, not Allah, Caliph and Ummah. For a secular nation to offer up prayers to a Christian God is entirely fitting with our Christian heritage. To be offering them up to the god of Islam on Anzac Day is nothing short of weird and, when one also factors in the modern context of commonplace jihadist attacks on old Christendom that have now become a major problem in Europe, it is nothing short of bloody sinister. I’ve been saying for some time now that the minor right-wing parties need to consolidate amongst themselves on the single policy platform of freedom of speech being inviolate, and thus offer a real voting alternative to conservatives who are now hopelessly underwhelmed by National’s lack of “gravitas and menace”. However, a brave leader of such a coalition must be entirely comfortable with having highly weaponised terms such as racist, xenophobe and most assuredly Islamophobe being slung at him/her every minute of every day, because that is the mind-numbingly vicious reality of how the Left fights. Such terms are used only to short-circuit any discussion of ideas which pertain to 'one law for all', immigration, increased refugee quotas and Islam making its presence felt where it is neither wanted (by most Kiwis), nor warranted – like Anzac Day. The most important virtue in this fight is courage; it also happens to be the most rare. If you enjoyed this article, please buy my book "Western Values Defended: A Primer"
It’s only fair to share! :-)
14 Comments
Rowena Haldane
14/4/2019 10:41:54 pm
At last some reason and common sense, thank you. I am reminded of the stirring song "He who would true valour see, let him come hither."NZ is fast tracking down a very dangerous path and we need to take hold of all that our men and women stood for during two World Wars make a line in the sand. My father served in WW2 and 3 great uncles in WW1. One uncle perished at Gallipoli shot by a Turkish sniper (witnessed by his mate Tommy Winter) the other 2 gassed in Ypres. The list of dead and wounded made for grim reading. No wonder the old blokes are now up in arms. The late Prof Blaiklock wrote an article for the NZ Herald some years back called "The face of Courage" I still have the cutting.
powderburns
15/4/2019 12:35:59 pm
Here’s a quote from an English soldier who witnessed the immolation of Joan of Arc on a pile of timber in 1431. Her captors wanted her to repent. The English had once again beaten the French. Joan was the symbolic leader of the French Army.
John Hurley
15/4/2019 03:10:56 pm
Our National Party seems to have found its commercial interests lie with getting into bed with progressives. Progressivism means "New Zealanders being a more confident - outward looking nation. More multicultural" - John Key interviewed by John Campbell
Olivia
15/4/2019 03:40:46 pm
Indeed John, Key was a globalist. This is why I have absolutely no faith in National, they’re just as Left.
Chuck Bird
15/4/2019 05:07:28 pm
What has to be looked at is what you what to achieve and not just assume that forming a political party that can get over 5% is the best way to achieve that objective.
Graeme
15/4/2019 05:40:18 pm
It is a long time since we have had a political party that puts the interests of New Zealand first,
Chuck Bird
15/4/2019 06:18:58 pm
Graeme, I arrived in NZ in 1966, I cannot think of a political party that put the interests of NZ first. There may have been the odd MP but certainly not a party.
Luke
15/4/2019 08:42:43 pm
This article excellently articulates what I believe most of us already instinctively understand. Keep up the good work ! 19/4/2019 09:47:18 pm
There's still the problem of the right are too disparate for that (plus no home with them for classical liberals like myself). The nearest 'leader' in your view would be Eliot from the New Conservatives, but he's a fundy and won't ever allow me a right of euthanasia (a litmus test up there with free speech for me - I will never vote for any coalition with that party in it), so all is lost. I agree there is no leader in National from their entire caucus to fit the bill.
Loop
28/5/2019 05:24:41 pm
I think it is this type of errant thinking that we are lost. I also agree to the right to die with dignity( elderly with no quality of life and unable to live without assistance by way of medical intervention),but I will still vote for the New Conservatives as they reflect most closely my values. That NZers continue to adhere to the idea there are only 2 parties is astonishing to me
Chuck Bird
20/4/2019 08:25:01 pm
Mark, It looks like you support what I have said which is that there is no way a new party of the right can reach 5%, 20/4/2019 08:55:46 pm
I'll never vote for National because of the euthanasia debate again. It's staffed by barbaric Catholic MPs all of whom will vote for a two thousand year old fairy tale against my choice, and will not vote for the majority of rational kiwis who want that basic right. Even though they laughingly call themselves representatives.
Chuck Bird
21/4/2019 02:16:47 pm
Well, your view helps confirm why there can never be a right wing party that will ever get over 2% let alone 5%. If ACT gets over 1% that may make National think about their position on free speech. 21/4/2019 10:42:30 am
Another way to graph the political spectrum. Leave a Reply. |
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