The vile little man. There are not enough words! First he castigated NZ for beating the virus “because they wanted to show me something” (as if!). Then he castigated us for getting it back. “This big surge in New Zealand…. It’s terrible. We don’t want that”.
Words fail me. On an international call the other day with a group of US participants, they applauded New Zealand for its ethical stance. They are all feeling very low about the situation there.
In line with his preferred model of deflection and dissatisfaction, Trump then went on to ‘remind’ everyone that this is the China virus, thus dog-whistling every racist in the bloody world to attack Asians, as it is all their fault.
(I think the subject-verb-object structure of that prior sentence got away on me, but you know what I mean. And I am upset).
The United States President is not fit to even touch elbows with Jacinda Ardern.
* * * *
Oh! Judith Collins. There is not a single person in New Zealand who believes that you would have had the political commitment and fortitude to “go fast and go hard”, to eliminate the virus here, to offer excellent support to businesses and workers, plus those who lose their jobs, and to have more than 100 days virus- free.
Your comment that “it’s not that hard, really” to keep the country virus free shows a startling misunderstanding of the situation. It requires constant vigilance and ongoing management. But we are not a repressive regime, the Covid is a very sneaky virus and threats are bombarding us from everywhere. There will be cracks. People will fall through them. There will be outbreaks. This is a very hard endeavour and you simply do not seem to understand this.
Such understanding constitutes a leadership test in these difficult times and you have failed it, sorry. So has Gerry B. Bring on the election – I can’t wait.
* * * *
I have had an infection in my nose for a couple of weeks, and decided I needed an antibiotic. I knew I didn’t have the Covid because of Siouxsie Wiles’ brilliant ‘symptom comparison’.
Went to make an appointment with the doctor and had to own up to a runny nose. Was put in the high risk category. Instead of waiting until Thursday, I was seen within 5 hours. Had to wait in my car until called, walk into the surgery (everyone else had to wait for me), sanitise my hands, don a mask, then follow the PPE-clad doctor to a sanitised room. Had a good appointment. I was asked to take the dreaded nasal test for Covid, agreed (taking one for the team, I thought), the test was done and I was escorted out. “How do I pay”, I asked – and there was no charge! Usually $55, what a bargain.
I waited in my car for someone to scamper over from the next-door Pharmacy with my prescription (which had been faxed to them by the Doctor), it was dropped into my lap with a cheery wave, no charge again (instead of $15), and off I went.
I was asked to self-isolate until the test result arrives, (up to 48 hours) and was offered a medical certificate (which, being self-employed at home, I did not need). So the Daily Blog gets an extra blog out of me, too.
Dr Liz Gordon is a researcher and a barrister, with interests in destroying neo-liberalism in all its forms and moving towards a socially just society. She usually blogs on justice, social welfare and education topics.
Of all the comments to date criticizing the government’s response Trump’s will cut closest to the bone.
Even when it is completely nonsensical like it was.
“Of all the comments to date criticizing the government’s response Trump’s will cut closest to the bone.”
Frankie, you really believe that?. I’ve given you far to much credit in the past. Only morons and rednecks believe anything Trump says, in fact most in N.Z. would immediately think the opposite and it only strengthens the Governments response, thus Dr Gordons post.
Jacinda hates Trump that’s why – it’s personal.
Hell Judith could prove half the cabinet is on P and Jacinda will still be more upset about Trump singling her out.
Trump was trolling and it got a bite from the usual subjects
Well I guess that’s your opinion. Personally I don’t think Jacinda gives a rats about Trump. Besides Jacinda doesn’t need to, Michelle Obama is doing the crucifying.
Well a bit of the pot calling the kettle black here. America is in a f…. n mess. I thought he said he wants to make America great again. While he is fiddling with his fiddle China and Russia are playing up.
Trumps comment is not unreasonable given that Jacinda and NZ have regularlly featured in the world press as the becon of success having “eliminated” convirus. After basking in this glory for some 100 days the current out break is notable “world” news, in that we are back in the hole with most other countries. Now it is fair to say that Trumps argument is ” we might be bad but look at NZ they have hit same wall”
NZ — USA
No comparison in covid19 strategies nor leadership.
NZ had eliminated Covid19 and will eliminate it again.
The USA has a per capita covid19 death rate which is 170 times higher than China and 145 times higher than NZ.
Under that rationale, there is only two options. C-19 100 % utterly and totally free or inundated and over run by C-19.
I think there are many many other states in-between, and I’m rather happy that we are trying to be at the ‘C-19 free end’ of that spectrum, rather than say, zero is impossible so let it run riot.
A bit like I can NEVER be 100% healthy, so bugger it let’s just smoke a 100 a day, drink 6 pints a day, massively over eat anything and just don’t give a damn.
Or when a fit person dies young, dumb people say see, staying fit still doesn’t stop you from dying young.
D’Oh……the logic of the average person in most countries is so low.
Well Keep calm and carry on, so far our superficial leader has put us in a better position than the rest of the world. Our young leader has listened and taken on board the expert advice of our highly trained and skilled epidemiology and health experts, many of whom are highly respected in there fields. Now we have the national party who wanted to open our borders acting like they have all the answers. And to make matters worse, national are saying they will keep the virus out, something no country including ourselves has not managed to do. This is a political party that neglected our hospitals and health services for nine years just so they could get a surplus. This is a party that under invested in health research. This is a party that every time they get in power Maori and PI mortality and morbidity rates skyrocket. And this is a party where inequalities become the norm. This is not the party we want to lead us out of this pandemic.
Well said @Covid is pa, KCCO and FTT are just stirring up the lefties with their hollow opinions. It is noticable that they mostly keep the Natz name from there posts, but who else are they wanking on about? One thing is for dead sure. Supporting the Natz is a lost cause and voting for them would class them as idiots.
Well Keep calm and carry on, so far our superficial leader has put us in a better position than the rest of the world. Our young leader has listened and taken on board the expert advice of our highly trained and skilled epidemiology and health experts, many of whom are highly respected in there fields. Now we have the national party who wanted to open our borders acting like they have all the answers. And to make matters worse, national are saying they will keep the virus out, something no country including ourselves has not managed to do. This is a political party that neglected our hospitals and health services for nine years just so they could get a surplus. This is a party that under invested in health research. This is a party that every time they get in power Maori and PI mortality and morbidity rates skyrocket. And this is a party where inequalities become the norm. This is not the party we want to lead us out of this pandemic.
Well Keep calm and carry on, so far our superficial leader has put us in a better position than the rest of the world. Our young leader has listened and taken on board the expert advice of our highly trained and skilled epidemiology and health experts, many of whom are highly respected in there fields. Now we have the national party who wanted to open our borders acting like they have all the answers. And to make matters worse, national are saying they will keep the virus out, something no country including ourselves has not managed to do. This is a political party that neglected our hospitals and health services for nine years just so they could get a surplus. This is a party that under invested in health research. This is a party that every time they get in power Maori and PI mortality and morbidity rates skyrocket. And this is a party where inequalities become the norm. This is not the party we want to lead us out of this pandemic.
Covid pa – Can you get your comment system working better. Three or is it four of your same comment overwhelms. And what do you mean ‘our superficial leader’ – who is that? You then go on to talk about our young leader in a positive fashion. Can you be clear in your comments, and less repetitive please.
Trump’s comments are no surprise. He has extreme personal issues and is in a cornered rat situation. Collins has the same and while the psychopathy might be different she also has the ‘dirty low down bitch factor’. In spades.
Trump should be watched – in fascinated horror. He is a success in proving that you can fool the people all the time, which overturns everything I have been told all my life. He’s an example of disillusion that has probably been painted Banksy-high somewhere, for our edification and mortification.
Gather round in groups those who have some oomph and build your resilience to the world that’s coming – our passport system with a face-reading ability, that can roll across a crowd and so have you marked down anywhere you go if you draw attention to yourself – you’ll need your courage to live as a thinking and communicating person. The roll-out of 5G when you find that those opposing it were not just tinfoil-hat wearers, and if they were they just did it for effect!
Keep your sense of humour, you are going to need it as a way of finding others who know we are all ridiculous, and wonderful at the same time. Trump is actually either inhuman or one that has been brainwashed by capitalist games as is the hegemony now.
This is a song for you from James – Sit Down. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRD51qEJ8t4
All the people in this crowd seem to know the words, why not join them in your living room now you know the words – join in and go on to meet with others and be part of the world of caring people who are trying for something better. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WId0WS48JgM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_(band)
Gerry Brownlee got something right for a change, Jacinda should not be reacting to Trump at all, even obliquely, by referring to US figures like she did at today’s briefing. Trump is beneath contempt and should be treated the same as any other Twitter troll.
Comments are closed.