The politicisation of NZ's covid response

To post in this sub-forum you must have made 100 posts or have Trust status or have completed our ID Verification

Forums › Politics › The politicisation of NZ's covid response

1 | ... | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | ... | 55

11394 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2870712 18-Feb-2022 09:18

networkn:
Handle9:

So what? That’s their problem. They can find the moral fortitude to scream at the moon but can’t tell scum to go away or condemn their presence? Give me a break.

ROFL. Screaming at the moon doesn't get you stabbed. But whatever.

If they are so terrified of their fellow protesters they can leave.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79297 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#2870714 18-Feb-2022 09:25

@networkn:

@Handle9:

For an hour sure. For 2 weeks? Yeah nah. They are condoning these people.

If the police won't remove the white supremacists then how are you expecting a bunch of hippies to do it?

Anti Mandaters get getting into conflict with white supremacists also doesn't seem wise on a number of levels.

If one person is having dinner with ten white supremacists then there are eleven white supremacists on the table.

If you can't tell the white supremacists to leave, then you leave.

Either you accept that your fight for justice involves all levels or you accept that when white supremacists join the fight you lost the plot.

ezbee

2406 posts

Uber Geek

#2870719 18-Feb-2022 09:32

Exactly ! You leave the Evangelical, well organized and cashed up supremists taking away their legitimacy.

That gift of dedication, resources and Evangelism comes at too high a price.

You sail away from them not towards them.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79297 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#2870729 18-Feb-2022 09:38

You sell your soul away for the sake of numbers (and money) then you lose it.

Simple as that.

quickymart

13966 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2870731 18-Feb-2022 09:42

I think Jamie Lee Ross found that out at the last election, when he joined up with Billy TK (lol). Both their political careers are done, too.

Beccara

1469 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2870885 18-Feb-2022 14:20

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300521075/police-seemingly-cede-control-to-protesters-who-are-now-controlling-access-to-parliament-grounds-adding-vehicles

Stuff witnessed protest security guards attempting to calm tensions after another protester said police could not move through the footpath of Bowen Street onto the cenotaph, which is full of cars.

“[Police] were asked yesterday by the collective that they not pass this barrier here, that they take their people around," the man told Stuff – indicating a parked car on Bowen Street currently blocking an entrance to the Beehive basement.

“They were told to cross the road just to keep that korero off them bro. They were told what to do. I’m just saying ‘You were told by the collective not to come through the crowd. They were told.’”

....

“We’re not letting the police in because they’ve been ‘trespassed’,” Luke said.

“That’s why you don't see any police on the ground.”

Luke said the police had been “good with it – they understand”.

So we have more cars turning up and their own internal police force keeping NZ police out.

Most problems are the result of previous solutions...

All comment's I make are my own personal opinion and do not in any way, shape or form reflect the views of current or former employers unless specifically stated

Beccara

1469 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2870887 18-Feb-2022 14:25

And now we have another bit from the PC:

Police want the protest to end safely - negotiation and de-escalation the only way to achieve that

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says negotiation and de-escalation is the only safe, and therefore most desirable, way to resolve the Wellington protest.

“Police’s current assessment of the situation is that any enforcement action by Police runs a serious risk of much wider harm than the protest is presently creating.

"We continue to carefully navigate our options to reopen the roads, but the most desirable way to end this safely, is to encourage open communication channels.

“Yesterday’s statement from the Speaker of the House has provided a window of opportunity for protesters who wish to have their views heard by Parliament, to clear the roads and restrict the protest to Parliament grounds.

"Police has had constructive engagement with some key protest leaders following the release of the statement and our focus is to deepen those discussions.

“In the current circumstances, enforcement action taken by Police runs the real risk of injury to the public, escalation in numbers of people, and a transition away from a largely peaceful protest to violence.

"In our assessment the only safe option at the present point in time is a continued focus on de-escalation.

“As the protest at Parliament enters its 11th day, Police continues to make progress in engaging with key protest groups.

“While there were no incidents of note overnight, Police remain concerned at the road blockages caused by protest vehicles, and the inability of emergency services to access through roads.

“The number of people, structures and vehicles has continued to grow over the past 24 hours.

"Police also anticipate a significant number of people joining the protest over the weekend.

“We recognise the ongoing impact from the protest, particularly on residents and users in the surrounding area.

"Police has increased its patrols and will maintain a highly visible, reassurance presence.

“Today we will be putting in place a traffic management plan to control vehicle numbers to ensure that fire and ambulance vehicles are able to access the protest site.

"The option to move vehicles to Sky Stadium remains open and we encourage people to make greater use of this so that those who live and work in the area can go about their lawful business unimpeded by the protest activity.

“Police will continue to focus on keeping the peace, maintaining safety and engaging with the protestors over the coming weekend.

“I want to again acknowledge our staff, many of whom have been deployed at short notice, for what has been a challenging assignment.

"They have conducted themselves in an incredibly professional and reassuring manner."

Most problems are the result of previous solutions...

All comment's I make are my own personal opinion and do not in any way, shape or form reflect the views of current or former employers unless specifically stated

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

networkn

Networkn
32354 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2870888 18-Feb-2022 14:30

This is the most important thing in that press release.

“Police’s current assessment of the situation is that any enforcement action by Police runs a serious risk of much wider harm than the protest is presently creating."

That is an accurate assessment and explains pretty clearly why no teargas and bullets.

They are on the ground, they are in communication with the group(s). I'd trust their judgement over that of reports from the media every day of the week and twice on Sundays.

Beccara

1469 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2870890 18-Feb-2022 14:39

Risk of harm to who tho? The protesters? At the very least stopping expansion should be a red line, limiting reinforcements should be a goal.

Other sections of the country are starting to see pop ups off the back of the Wellington situation and rhetoric is pumping up around mandates being the first step to overthrowing the govt (moreso than normal). The situation is deteriorating

GV27

5897 posts

Uber Geek

#2870892 18-Feb-2022 14:43

networkn:

“Police’s current assessment of the situation is that any enforcement action by Police runs a serious risk of much wider harm than the protest is presently creating."

I'd say the credibility of the police is taking a far more serious hit than the Police might be prepared to admit. But it's cool, now we at least have some firm confirmation you can just blockade the parliamentary precinct and at worst the cops will ask you nicely to leave for a few days and then give up.

Can't see any fallout or harm from that at all.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
18663 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2870923 18-Feb-2022 15:08

It would be really satisfying to see the police storm in guns blazing. I would cheer as tents were flattened and cars crushed and the rabble sent scattering before the Tasers and tear gas and weighted batons. Less so as children were pushed face-first into the mud by the stampede but hey, what's a little collateral damage?

The police are not 'pussies', as someone so colourfully put it. They are incredibly controlled and disciplined. They are doing a very hard job under very difficult circumstances. I applaud their restraint and cool-headedness. They deserve a lot more credit than they are getting.

This demonstration is not like other demonstrations. It can not be broken up in any acceptable fashion by use of force. The police are playing a long game and they are doing it very well. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing a few heads cracked. It would relieve a lot of frustration. But it would be a mistake. I do not want to live in the Germany of the 1930s that some particularly stupid (and ignorant!) protesters have been referencing. I do not want to live in the gun-toting America of today. I am grateful to live in a civilised nation like New Zealand and I am grateful to our police force that wants to keep it that way.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

GV27

5897 posts

Uber Geek

#2870933 18-Feb-2022 15:32

I'd caution against suddenly deciding there's anything inherently Kiwi about a parliamentary blockade.

SJB

2945 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2870934 18-Feb-2022 15:36

I'm going to put a tent up on Andrew Coster's front lawn and park my car across his drive and refuse to move until he moves the protesters on.

networkn

Networkn
32354 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2870935 18-Feb-2022 15:38

GV27:

I'd caution against suddenly deciding there's anything inherently Kiwi about a parliamentary blockade.

LOL. Is anyone actually being blocked from entering Parliament? Seems not.

GV27

5897 posts

Uber Geek

#2870937 18-Feb-2022 15:43

networkn:

LOL. Is anyone actually being blocked from entering Parliament? Seems not.

We've had people trying to present petitions to MPs harassed by protesters. MPs are having to make alternative arrangements to enter and exit safely.

So yea, the actual function of Parliament is being disrupted if people can't access it and people can't move about the grounds safely.

LOL, right?

1 | ... | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | ... | 55