Also well aware that this blogpost contains a veritable mishmash of geo-political 'bits 'n bobs', and that not all of these show the ideological right-of-centre in (what I claimed a week ago as) a favourable light, I'd contend anyhow that they do nevertheless show and depict that side of Western societal affairs, and moreover some of their various spokespeople and representatives (whether obviously so or chosen as simply symbolic thereof) in a far more nuanced and complex manner than the mainstream media would ever care to. And consequently I'd suggest is worthy of portrayal.
The first three of these relate to 'local' (as in kiwi/New Zealand) issues and matters, the latter three to world (especially American-related) affairs. The subjects traversed will include 'law and order' (in regards to police profiling and politically-motivated convictions, as well as 'getting tough on crime'); a fourth to being tried and convicted/found guilty in the court of public opinion; a fifth to the il/legality of upholding one's religious convictions as opposed to ensuring the constitutional rights of one and all; with one - totally unrelated - 'postlet'(as in mini-blogpost, how's that for a 'david-edwinism?) pertaining to the big global news event of the past week; (any guesses, folks?)
Part One: Re God's Own Boys (and Gals) in Blue
New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush: No, the Cops Ain't Altogether A Bad Bunch
So let's begin. First up, all power and plaudits to (I believe his correct title is) Police Commissioner (of Aotearoa-New Zealand), Mike Bush, a position normally, traditionally held/dominated by someone of not only 'right-wing' (at least moral) sensibilities, but arguably status quo-upholding instincts - as in culturally reactionary and loathe to grant even honest-hearted radicals and dissenters a dignified place at the table of public discourse.
So what a refreshing contrast - with some of his well-known predecessors, whether of the/his own Police Association or the Police Union - shown by Mr Bush of recent days upon one minorly-reported, and another much more majorly-covered matter of national interest. But breaking news (just now: Newshub Nation 6 p.m. News Show) also reports a secret meeting of late in which Commissioner Bush has guaranteed still-grieving Pike River families of the NZ Police's intention/ determination to do all in their power/s to facilitate re-entry into that trouble-fraught mine. So is the 'new look' Bush-led New Zealand Police on somewhat of a roll? Hey, you be the judge.
'First' (or rather second) up, then, is Mike Bush, as NZPA Head, the other day (Friday the 8th of June or thereabouts, on one (i.e. TV1 or TV3) of the 6 p.m. TV News Programmes), not only generously (if simply) acknowledging the concerns that had been recently expressed by new Greens co-leader Marama Davidson - vis-a-vis the police profiling of certain suspected offenders - but moreover openly conceding she'd raised some very pertinent, highly valid points thereabouts. Which in itself is quite a concession for any police chief to make, whether in New Zealand or elsewhere.
Secondly (or thirdly) we heard this past week of all police charges against *inveterate conspiracy theorist Nicky Hager being summarily dispatched. Though I've admittedly yet to appraise myself of all the ins and outs of this, out-of-left-field decision, I have heard criticisms from both 'left' and 'right' thereabouts: from (latterly) those who simply hate Hager's guts because they consider him an unregenerate and incorrigible radical and conspiracy theorist (and certainly he is both), and (formerly) from those who (at the other end of the political spectrum) hate the police and law enforcement agencies with a ferocity which would not be appeased if all they were all forthwith closed, disbanded and dealt to by certain aggrieved citizenry.
Reassuring many if not most of us that the police have thus gotten matters 'about right', so often the case when decisions are subjected to el typical and predictable relentless criticism from the usual suspects; that is, whatever the actual decision might happen to be in any particular instance.
Whatever, the basic gist of what the cops have done here is something to behold, so rare (if hardly unreasonable) is such a public apology and/or concession by the boys and girls in blue.
So I'll concede here that my own impeccable credentials as a ****self-styled false prophet may well seem to have been confirmed in this multi-layered blogpost, as it's hardly a tribute to 'the Right' in any capacity (in God's Own), much more clearly to the Left's newfound success with our law and order folk. But personally I see it all in rather different terms altogether, and more as - poignant - examples of where 'the Establishment' has moved into the modern era; not that they're trying to curry public favour and sympathies by getting in step with current, politically-correct public sensibilities and the like, but rather that they've been prepared to see and acknowledge the error of their ways...and that in itself is a great step forward. Oh yes, it most assuredly is, make no mistake!
*But please don't get me wrong, I heartily endorse not only **/***all the work I've thus far seen of Hager, but moreover his very right to pursue such sadly all too rare investigative journalism in this our day of sentimental tabloid-style sensationalism. And in terms of the man himself, whether 'in person' (while once attending one of his talks in the Dunedin City's Education College Auditorium) or c/o an in-depth interview on the radio, he shines out in an unmistakable manner as a beacon of light and truth, a pillar of integrity and honesty, amidst a field strewn with hacks, political partisans and operatives and other assorted media darling cronies who both in New Zealand and worldwide/ Westernwide have given modern media such an awful rap and general, well-earned infamy.
**I.e. balanced reportage of Hager's various - mainly pre-election - books, for I've regrettably failed to read any of them yet myself. I know off-hand the names of two, Corngate and The Hollow Men.
***In saying all of that, insofar as Hager et al really see no value in/need for nations such as 'lil 'ole New Zealand even possessing their own security intelligence operation - properly conducted and lawfully undertaken, that is - let us be perfectly clear: on this critical point he and his fellow, 'eternal' radicals may be ever so well-intentioned, but frankly they are idealistic to a fault and moreover hopelessly out of touch with present-day international realities. In case you also have been living under a rock in recent times, we're faced these days not only with cyber-terrorism/war on every hand (in addition to the 'real' variety) but we live in the backwash of 2001 and 2012; and thus the 'likes' of not only Sissii International but their African fellow-travellers such as Les Kebabs and Marah Ocob. Quite apart from seemingly innumerable, never-ending threats of all kinds from all sorts of places.
****But of course I don't really believe myself to be false in any way, let alone in such contexts as these, I simply say this to concede that I don't and have never claimed to be a model of perfection myself. No, only One is Such, and last I heard (and understood) He shares that Unique Status with no-one, although I've also 'heard' that He's more than willing to do so on a free gift basis...
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