Hipango needs to lose her job. However, we know that this won't happen - conservatives know that they can get away with whatever they want without repercussions now. Optics used to be a huge thing for politicians - that definitely isn't the case any more.
"Optics used to be a huge thing for politicians - that definitely isn't the case any more."
Politics is *all* about optics now. That's the problem. The reason this is tolerated is that National needs to bring social conservatives back into the fold.
More so, Hipango represents a triangulation between Maori, conservative and female constituencies, all of which National needs to have far more representation in caucus to continue to be relevant (the caucus currently being led from an ideas perspective by the urban liberal faction).
If it were about policy or being a team player rather than appeal optics, she'd be out on her arse.
Yeah the part I hate of this is she is female and not white - a great positive thing! But why of why does she have to the be the one engaging in this shit. Would be so cool to lead by great, smart example: Not this.
Snap! I was about to say the same thing but you beat me to it. Hipango's reportedly not very popular in Whangarei and that is why Labour gained what was a previously safe National seat last election. The electorate has since been passed to Dr. Shane Reti who will likely make a better showing and Harete Hipango is solely a list candidate. As you point out, at this point National kind of need her more than she needs them.
Hipango is not stupid and likely knows this all too well and she can't seem to resist tweaking them over it with stunts like this. A tendency towards psychological narcissism and an interest in politics are common bedfellows *cough* Tamaki *cough* Deeks *cough*.
It won't be endearing her to Luxon but he can't really afford to do anything serious about it at this point and she's rubbing his nose in that as a new leader. Collins didn't even ask her to take down that false Adern quote post so Luxon's shown somewhat more spine but only because anti-vaxxers aren't that important to the National party voting base, whereas farmers are.
Yeah, I think this was all about testing out political opportunities. On the conspiracism front, I think she's more akin to a female Jami-Lee Ross than Billy Te Kahika.
By that I mean that I don't think she necessarily believes *any* of it but sees a chance to use them by dog-whistling to those who do. If enough dogs bark back, I could see her temporarily embracing conspiracism like Jami-Lee did with Advance New Zealand.
But she's not alone in wondering about the conspiracy/freedom leaning voter pool. Liz Gunn, Claire Deeks, Sue Grey and Brian Tamaki all have ambitions here. That's a lot of warring egos to combine, especially with Tamaki not really believing in women in leadership. And he's rather infamous for not playing well with others as evidenced in Peter Lineham's book 'Destiny: The Life and Times of a Self-Made Apostle' https://www.amazon.com/Destiny-Times-Self-Made-Apostle-Prophet-ebook/dp/B07P7Y6YCZ
Tamaki keeps hinting about something big. On various videos, he's been saying there is something which he can't announce yet due to his current legal and bail troubles. Destiny's two previous political party tilts were seen as too tied to the church and his reputation and both failed to get enough support as a result. That's why I think they're so keen to claim FARC is distinct from the church and about bigger issues even though it's a fiction and they actually run the whole thing.
Further evidence to support this theory is that FARC got mightily upset with David Seymour when he made a brief play for their votes before their march on parliament, which isn't entirely surprising since he is a libertarian and pretty keen on FREEDOM. Their Facebook post excoriating him for his opportunism was quite something to read. You don't spend all that money and time organising a political movement to let some carpet-bagger snatch it from you.
If he finally announces a party, I get to say BINGO!
The thing that I find astonishing about the anti-vax lot is their certainty that if they do get COVID it will be 'mild' for them.
Yesterday saw this, posted from Canberra, AU:
"Neil Bolton @NeilBoltonRSPL
From my paramedic daughter: None of the vaccine skeptics seem to be treatment-skeptics. Every single one of my unvaccinated Covid patients blindly accept being pumped full of various drugs when their own life is tangibly on the line."
Of course, this 'therapeutics but not vaccines' stance internally contradicts their Big Pharma financial conspiracy claims since historically, pharmaceutical companies have made WAY more money on their patented therapeutics than they have on vaccines. Of course, their profits are currently being boosted because of how just many millions of doses are being purchased but it will be interesting to see what they end up making on any successful therapeutics. People and developed nations healthcare systems will generally pay a lot more for a therapeutic they actually need compared to a vaccine.
Yeah, there is a whole crew of discredited formerly esteemed medical figures that circulate as ‘brave experts’ and pseudo-whistleblowers on antivaxxer platforms - Robert Malone, Kary Mullis, Mike Yeadon to name a few. Antivaxxer king Robert F Kennedy Jr collects and connects them.
Yeah - the anti-vax thing really defies logic - it's much more a line in the sand of what they believe overall. Symbolic, almost. "I won't take the vax because that 1 statement defines my beliefs and how I view the world."
Thanks for this! Newsroom does good mahi - and good people there. It was co-founded by my old TV3 boss, Mark Jennings. He hired me out of university (so I have to say nice things about him, don't I!)
Antivaxers everywhere and there's Hipango getting the attention she deserves. In my corner of Auckland the Upper Habour Local Board voted for mowing 8000 plants that volunteers planted over three to five years at Sanders Reserve the Chairperson there also has a Degree in Deflecting. A strange way to get the year started.
Kia ora e hoa. We met when you came to Wintec in Hamilton to talk about your mahi. I was lucky enough (as a Wintec staff member and part of the Waikato Film Hub) to be able see your presentation to students and have lunch together.
Somewhat ashamed to say I only recently subscribed to Webworm late 2021. Being a relatively new subscriber to your blog, not to mention a Euro male, I wasn't aware of Lonely or the views of their founders. Glad I got to read your pieces on them from 2020 until now. As a vehemently pro-vax, pro science supporter, anti-conspiracy theory and BLM ally, I really appreciate the work you're doing. All of this is really just my long winded way of saying keep doing what you're doing. Keep fighting the good fight (against misinformation, bigotry, and the 'isms). Kia kaha! Arohanui.
Chris! Nice to have you here - and don't apologise! There's a million things to read a million things to watch and listen to, and time is precious. But that means a lot, and thanks for the kind words. And it's nice when people stumble on older stuff, too. I like that there is an archive here that builds up, and people can find things when they need to.
I really feel for the Lonely staff who have to put up with this BS - and it made it very clear the things they stood for were just posturing. Since my piece, both founders if anything have upped their output of disinfo on their personal social channels, and that's sad to see. Anyway - kia ora back at you! And thanks for your mahi at Wintec - I am sure it's been a strange time in uni land during this pandemic!
First, I am so very glad(? Not sure that's the precise adjective i need) that the conversations from your last post were helpful to you. I can honestly say that they were quite helpful to me as well. I truly do not understand how you cultivated such a lovely corner of the internet service, but you have successfully done so and I think that we all appreciate it.
Oh god, the subject title of this post just immediately makes me so sad for your dear country. However, I can't read the whole thing at the moment.
Because. I have to admit to you that you were right about Dexter. Mea culpa. I have not watched the finale yet, but a lovely Trumper twit went around gleefully searching strangers' tweets about the show with the sole purpose of spoiling the whole thing. So I've been sufficiently punished.
Anyway this entire comment is an irrelevant tangent but once I'm able, I am very keen to read about this fascinating new individual you have found.
Ha, sorry Dexter was not a fun journey for you! It's okay. We live and learn!
As for the comments - I am glad you found them helpful too. There was so much good stuff said, I want to translate it into something other than a comments section. It could be a book of thoughts; paired with images. Or made into a beautiful website. Or maybe the joy of it is they are just a conversation: Simple, clear, and engaging. I just love it. So much insight, shared wisdom, and ideas.
Tbh I have not passed a final verdict on Dexter, but I can sum up the impact it had on me in one spoiler-free sentence: It was more intense than Mizumono.
More importantly, yes, some really great and encouraging and inspiring conversation last week. Looking forward to whatever you come up with to synthesize it all!
I assume it's not just for me but I get a ... showing beside Reply and Delete at the bottom of my posts which shows a menu containing the long desired 'Edit comment' option.
Our work starting enforcing federal government rules about masks today. The week leading up to it was filled with people griping and complaining. One man, who passed out twice and nearly died at work (covid), quite possibly was responsible for a few others at work getting covid, got in my face and said, “you made a huge mistake getting vaccinated.” This otherwise lovely man, turned ugly by something so basic. It’s just sad. The misinformation isn’t funny, or cute, it’s downright dangerous and I’m growing weary of indulging and quietly ignoring the ignorance.
Ugh, that's awful. The whole anti-vax thing is an entire way of life - an entire belief system - that stretches way beyond any concern about the contents of the vaccine. And so people like this guy live and die by this mad logic. It's so strange to see.
Curious regarding your thoughts on this just released BBC podcast: "The coming storm"
"QAnon and the plot to break reality.
A year on from the Capitol Insurrection in Washington DC on 6 January 2021, Gabriel Gatehouse journeys into the dark undergrowth of modern America. He's looking for the origins of the story that drove the crowds to storm the heart of US democracy. From conspiracy-soaked barrooms in 1990s Arkansas, via spies in hotel rooms in the shadow of the Kremlin, to anarchic chatrooms on the early internet, this is a search for the answer to one big question: did this just happen, or is somebody trying to break reality?"
David, ā bit off topic but regarding mis-information, the last story in this 'More or less' talks about QANON misuse of valid 'missing children' statistics
Have you notice that, when spoken, anti-vax sounds very similar to anti-facts, which is, indeed, an accurate description of these people!
I had not, but I now can't unhear it!
"Ignorance is Strength"
“Marjorie Taylor Green harping on about some bullshit”
Best photo caption ever. I LOLed
100% gave me such a giggle :)
I am trying to embrace the fun of the photo caption! Glad they're appreciated.
A fusion of Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kellyanne Conway in her pattern of shameless minimisations when caught out on deceptions when you also include the false quote she attributed to Jacinda Adern against farmers which when Hipango was caught out doing, she deflected claiming it was "a construction of key words aligned with Jacinda Ardern". Now that’s some serious ‘alternative facts’ right there. https://www.nzherald.co.nz/whanganui-chronicle/news/whanganui-mp-harete-hipango-defends-posting-false-jacinda-ardern-quote/KCSZNP4NMHAGAT6SJEG6STXDH4/
Tellingly, Judith Collins, then leader of the National Party, refused to criticise her for it deflecting by arguing politicians should be allowed to say whatever they truly believe (even if defamatory and deceitful), which is the same deflection that Republicans in the US have often used to excuse Trump’s repeated lies. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300116953/election-2020-judith-collins-refuses-to-condemn-false-quote-posted-by-her-mps
Hipango needs to lose her job. However, we know that this won't happen - conservatives know that they can get away with whatever they want without repercussions now. Optics used to be a huge thing for politicians - that definitely isn't the case any more.
"Optics used to be a huge thing for politicians - that definitely isn't the case any more."
Politics is *all* about optics now. That's the problem. The reason this is tolerated is that National needs to bring social conservatives back into the fold.
More so, Hipango represents a triangulation between Maori, conservative and female constituencies, all of which National needs to have far more representation in caucus to continue to be relevant (the caucus currently being led from an ideas perspective by the urban liberal faction).
If it were about policy or being a team player rather than appeal optics, she'd be out on her arse.
Yeah the part I hate of this is she is female and not white - a great positive thing! But why of why does she have to the be the one engaging in this shit. Would be so cool to lead by great, smart example: Not this.
The thing is, politically, it's quite smart.
In fact, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it's been endorsed by Luxon's flacks to generate a bit on media interest.
There's not a lot of mileage - particularly in the press - being an anodyne white guy.
It's a straightforward variation of the dead-cat strategy (and it works!)
Snap! I was about to say the same thing but you beat me to it. Hipango's reportedly not very popular in Whangarei and that is why Labour gained what was a previously safe National seat last election. The electorate has since been passed to Dr. Shane Reti who will likely make a better showing and Harete Hipango is solely a list candidate. As you point out, at this point National kind of need her more than she needs them.
Hipango is not stupid and likely knows this all too well and she can't seem to resist tweaking them over it with stunts like this. A tendency towards psychological narcissism and an interest in politics are common bedfellows *cough* Tamaki *cough* Deeks *cough*.
It won't be endearing her to Luxon but he can't really afford to do anything serious about it at this point and she's rubbing his nose in that as a new leader. Collins didn't even ask her to take down that false Adern quote post so Luxon's shown somewhat more spine but only because anti-vaxxers aren't that important to the National party voting base, whereas farmers are.
The oppositional broad church needs to include the wingnut constituency when the political situation is so dire, I guess.
You're right though - Hipango is no fool.
She's a political opportunist with her sights set on bigger things, and is happy to attach herself to useful idiots to garner support / airtime.
In that sense, she a lot like Seymour.
Yeah, I think this was all about testing out political opportunities. On the conspiracism front, I think she's more akin to a female Jami-Lee Ross than Billy Te Kahika.
By that I mean that I don't think she necessarily believes *any* of it but sees a chance to use them by dog-whistling to those who do. If enough dogs bark back, I could see her temporarily embracing conspiracism like Jami-Lee did with Advance New Zealand.
But she's not alone in wondering about the conspiracy/freedom leaning voter pool. Liz Gunn, Claire Deeks, Sue Grey and Brian Tamaki all have ambitions here. That's a lot of warring egos to combine, especially with Tamaki not really believing in women in leadership. And he's rather infamous for not playing well with others as evidenced in Peter Lineham's book 'Destiny: The Life and Times of a Self-Made Apostle' https://www.amazon.com/Destiny-Times-Self-Made-Apostle-Prophet-ebook/dp/B07P7Y6YCZ
Tamaki keeps hinting about something big. On various videos, he's been saying there is something which he can't announce yet due to his current legal and bail troubles. Destiny's two previous political party tilts were seen as too tied to the church and his reputation and both failed to get enough support as a result. That's why I think they're so keen to claim FARC is distinct from the church and about bigger issues even though it's a fiction and they actually run the whole thing.
Further evidence to support this theory is that FARC got mightily upset with David Seymour when he made a brief play for their votes before their march on parliament, which isn't entirely surprising since he is a libertarian and pretty keen on FREEDOM. Their Facebook post excoriating him for his opportunism was quite something to read. You don't spend all that money and time organising a political movement to let some carpet-bagger snatch it from you.
If he finally announces a party, I get to say BINGO!
Should start a petition to have her censured (if that's even a thing in Aotearoa New Zealand?)
The thing that I find astonishing about the anti-vax lot is their certainty that if they do get COVID it will be 'mild' for them.
Yesterday saw this, posted from Canberra, AU:
"Neil Bolton @NeilBoltonRSPL
From my paramedic daughter: None of the vaccine skeptics seem to be treatment-skeptics. Every single one of my unvaccinated Covid patients blindly accept being pumped full of various drugs when their own life is tangibly on the line."
https://twitter.com/NeilBoltonRSPL/status/1479762789044391936?s=20
I am not suggesting anyone should do this, but if the unvaccinated uniformly believed their own BS when it mattered and chose not to present to hospital for shortness of breath after contracting COVID, there would be little risk of overwhelming our health systems. Latest data on UK hospital admission https://twitter.com/PaulMainwood/status/1479166853192761348?t=cC1hhzkhTyrvlhkK_cgZVw&s=19 and ICU admissions https://twitter.com/KazemiAlex/status/1479558025404817412?t=xZpWX9w1re10mejZMojciw&s=19
Yes, most of the discredited medical figures in the anti-vaccine movement, such as Dr. Peter McCullough who recently infamously featured on Joe Rogan https://healthfeedback.org/claimreview/joe-rogan-interview-with-peter-mccullough-contains-multiple-false-and-unsubstantiated-claims-about-the-covid-19-pandemic-and-vaccines/ are keen on therapeutics for COVID so you have anti-vaxxers often demanding hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, and remdesivir even though they don't help and are potentially harmful as well as accepting dexamethasone, monoclonal antibodies, paxlovid, fluvoxamine, etc which actually do appear to help.
Of course, this 'therapeutics but not vaccines' stance internally contradicts their Big Pharma financial conspiracy claims since historically, pharmaceutical companies have made WAY more money on their patented therapeutics than they have on vaccines. Of course, their profits are currently being boosted because of how just many millions of doses are being purchased but it will be interesting to see what they end up making on any successful therapeutics. People and developed nations healthcare systems will generally pay a lot more for a therapeutic they actually need compared to a vaccine.
The local 'Voices for Freedom' lot have featured Dr. Peter McCullough too
Yeah, there is a whole crew of discredited formerly esteemed medical figures that circulate as ‘brave experts’ and pseudo-whistleblowers on antivaxxer platforms - Robert Malone, Kary Mullis, Mike Yeadon to name a few. Antivaxxer king Robert F Kennedy Jr collects and connects them.
Yeah - the anti-vax thing really defies logic - it's much more a line in the sand of what they believe overall. Symbolic, almost. "I won't take the vax because that 1 statement defines my beliefs and how I view the world."
That MP and her fellow nutters should just start a new political party called Gaslighters NZ. But that would be far too honest.
Gaslighting is it, right?!
Newsroom reposted this Jo Moir piece which adds some interesting political context in their 'best of the year' / summertime news recyclomatic:
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/national-party-all-out-of-love-for-returning-mp
Thanks for this! Newsroom does good mahi - and good people there. It was co-founded by my old TV3 boss, Mark Jennings. He hired me out of university (so I have to say nice things about him, don't I!)
I saw Mark speak at a corporate jolly a few years back.
He was very compelling and entirely committed to the role of public journalism being a force for good.
Weirdly, Chris Luxon spoke at the same thing and he came across incredibly well too.
Luxon certainly presents better than Collins!
Antivaxers everywhere and there's Hipango getting the attention she deserves. In my corner of Auckland the Upper Habour Local Board voted for mowing 8000 plants that volunteers planted over three to five years at Sanders Reserve the Chairperson there also has a Degree in Deflecting. A strange way to get the year started.
Ugh I'm so sorry. That's fucking awful.
Sanders Reserve was a bizarre and tragic decision
Kia ora e hoa. We met when you came to Wintec in Hamilton to talk about your mahi. I was lucky enough (as a Wintec staff member and part of the Waikato Film Hub) to be able see your presentation to students and have lunch together.
Somewhat ashamed to say I only recently subscribed to Webworm late 2021. Being a relatively new subscriber to your blog, not to mention a Euro male, I wasn't aware of Lonely or the views of their founders. Glad I got to read your pieces on them from 2020 until now. As a vehemently pro-vax, pro science supporter, anti-conspiracy theory and BLM ally, I really appreciate the work you're doing. All of this is really just my long winded way of saying keep doing what you're doing. Keep fighting the good fight (against misinformation, bigotry, and the 'isms). Kia kaha! Arohanui.
Chris! Nice to have you here - and don't apologise! There's a million things to read a million things to watch and listen to, and time is precious. But that means a lot, and thanks for the kind words. And it's nice when people stumble on older stuff, too. I like that there is an archive here that builds up, and people can find things when they need to.
I really feel for the Lonely staff who have to put up with this BS - and it made it very clear the things they stood for were just posturing. Since my piece, both founders if anything have upped their output of disinfo on their personal social channels, and that's sad to see. Anyway - kia ora back at you! And thanks for your mahi at Wintec - I am sure it's been a strange time in uni land during this pandemic!
You're welcome!
Oh that's so sad, to hear they've doubled down (but not unexpected). Hopefully their staff can seek employment elsewhere.
And yes, it's been a somewhat strange but ultimately exciting time for us, especially with the merger into Te Pūkenga.
First, I am so very glad(? Not sure that's the precise adjective i need) that the conversations from your last post were helpful to you. I can honestly say that they were quite helpful to me as well. I truly do not understand how you cultivated such a lovely corner of the internet service, but you have successfully done so and I think that we all appreciate it.
Oh god, the subject title of this post just immediately makes me so sad for your dear country. However, I can't read the whole thing at the moment.
Because. I have to admit to you that you were right about Dexter. Mea culpa. I have not watched the finale yet, but a lovely Trumper twit went around gleefully searching strangers' tweets about the show with the sole purpose of spoiling the whole thing. So I've been sufficiently punished.
Anyway this entire comment is an irrelevant tangent but once I'm able, I am very keen to read about this fascinating new individual you have found.
Ha, sorry Dexter was not a fun journey for you! It's okay. We live and learn!
As for the comments - I am glad you found them helpful too. There was so much good stuff said, I want to translate it into something other than a comments section. It could be a book of thoughts; paired with images. Or made into a beautiful website. Or maybe the joy of it is they are just a conversation: Simple, clear, and engaging. I just love it. So much insight, shared wisdom, and ideas.
Tbh I have not passed a final verdict on Dexter, but I can sum up the impact it had on me in one spoiler-free sentence: It was more intense than Mizumono.
More importantly, yes, some really great and encouraging and inspiring conversation last week. Looking forward to whatever you come up with to synthesize it all!
She wasn’t there for Freedom of Speech, she allowed herself to be censored by Luxon.
Good point!
Thank you for writing so clearly about the growth of disinfotmation David.
Woops. disinformation.
I assume it's not just for me but I get a ... showing beside Reply and Delete at the bottom of my posts which shows a menu containing the long desired 'Edit comment' option.
Tx for that
Happy to. I try and keep things informative, clear, and hopefully a big funny at times just to help the medicine go down!
Part of this reminds me of when NBA player Kevin Durant got busted using burner accounts on Twitter haha! https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/kevin-durant-defends-burner-twitter-account-during-warriors-career
Ha! I hasn't heard about this.
Our work starting enforcing federal government rules about masks today. The week leading up to it was filled with people griping and complaining. One man, who passed out twice and nearly died at work (covid), quite possibly was responsible for a few others at work getting covid, got in my face and said, “you made a huge mistake getting vaccinated.” This otherwise lovely man, turned ugly by something so basic. It’s just sad. The misinformation isn’t funny, or cute, it’s downright dangerous and I’m growing weary of indulging and quietly ignoring the ignorance.
Ugh, that's awful. The whole anti-vax thing is an entire way of life - an entire belief system - that stretches way beyond any concern about the contents of the vaccine. And so people like this guy live and die by this mad logic. It's so strange to see.
Curious regarding your thoughts on this just released BBC podcast: "The coming storm"
"QAnon and the plot to break reality.
A year on from the Capitol Insurrection in Washington DC on 6 January 2021, Gabriel Gatehouse journeys into the dark undergrowth of modern America. He's looking for the origins of the story that drove the crowds to storm the heart of US democracy. From conspiracy-soaked barrooms in 1990s Arkansas, via spies in hotel rooms in the shadow of the Kremlin, to anarchic chatrooms on the early internet, this is a search for the answer to one big question: did this just happen, or is somebody trying to break reality?"
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001324r
I'm about halfway through and seems like a reasonable overview on the origins of the whole QAnon thing
David, ā bit off topic but regarding mis-information, the last story in this 'More or less' talks about QANON misuse of valid 'missing children' statistics
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bgn2rw