A rocket full of Posie
New Zealand Listener|April 15-21 2023
Why discuss when you can shout? Recent political events suggest the eventual demise of the word "debate".
MICHELE HEWITSON
A rocket full of Posie

Man, people are cranky. And shouty. And downright silly. Particularly politicians. And, generally speaking, the whole damn world. There has been a lot of loose trolling going on. You could have written the script for the carry-on about British anti-trans activist Posie Parker and her time at Auckland's Albert Park. A lot of incoherent cranky shouting. A bit of argy-bargy. Nobody listening to a word anyone else said. It must be election year. Or just another year.

This was supposed to be the climate change election. Then the cost-of-living election. The Nats appear to have decreed it the reading-writing-'rithmetic election. Labour seems to have declared it the ripping up of formerly announced aims election. It should be the cranky election.

Greens co-leader Marama Davidson allowed the madding crowd to make her mad. Intercepted by a right-wing activist, she claimed it was "white cis men" who caused "violence in the world". The Prime Minister was left to explain that Davidson had been run down by a motorbike shortly before being run down by a rightwing conspiracy gang. So she sort of apologised, by proxy.

OFF WITH HER HEAD

National called for her resignation. Being in opposition seems to involve calling for MPs of other stripes to resign. It doesn't seem like a particularly arduous job. Although going around shouting "off with their heads" might be rather invigorating on a dull day in the House.

Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin April 15-21 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye New Zealand Listener dergisinin April 15-21 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

NEW ZEALAND LISTENER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
First-world problem
New Zealand Listener

First-world problem

Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Applying intelligence to AI
New Zealand Listener

Applying intelligence to AI

I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Nazism rears its head
New Zealand Listener

Nazism rears its head

Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Staying ahead of the game
New Zealand Listener

Staying ahead of the game

Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?

time-read
4 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Grasping the nettle
New Zealand Listener

Grasping the nettle

Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Hangry? Eat breakfast
New Zealand Listener

Hangry? Eat breakfast

People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.

time-read
3 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Chemical reaction
New Zealand Listener

Chemical reaction

Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.

time-read
4 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Me and my guitar
New Zealand Listener

Me and my guitar

Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.

time-read
2 dak  |
September 9, 2024
Time is on my side
New Zealand Listener

Time is on my side

Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?

time-read
7 dak  |
September 9, 2024
The kids are not alright
New Zealand Listener

The kids are not alright

Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.

time-read
4 dak  |
September 9, 2024