From a philosophical point of view though, maybe they know they are lying, but believe their righteousness and purpose means it’s still the right thing to do (end justifies the means sort of thing). Or they are just naive and believe whatever their supporter/sponsors have told them.
I was prepared to be shown that Luxon et al would be better than advertised, once they had to do things for real, and not in theory - i.e. when the EVIDENCE showed the real life consequences to human beings of Aotearoa of reducing or taking away funding, imposing failed "beneficiary" regimes from the recent past etc. Should have known better, but better to be hopeful than hopeless?
It is disturbing that much of this disconnect from what is good & right for the people they have the privilege of governing, is coming from a co-ordinated strategy funded by, and to the benefit of, big money & big corporations - with blatantly selfish & non-democratic motives.
I am prepared (still) to accept that the PM and/or other govt ministers can occasionally get mixed up or misspeak, but Luxon is now a serial offender, so it becomes obvious he either doesn't do his homework, or is intellectually unfit to lead a govt - surely understanding the facts & outcomes behind policy decisions is basic?
Even if you are so well off the "everyday" is beyond your ken, knowing FACTS that inform policies for the "everyday" Kiwi is YOUR JOB!
The saying I have seen a lot lately is "the fish rots from the head" & it is hardly surprising if other members of the coalition are comfortable to "misspeak", gas-light, and often plain lie & mislead. Yes, some will ALWAYS try it on (especially those for whom this is not their first rodeo, or their first coalition, or their first/second party!) but the PM can hardly expect to have any authority if he is doing the same thing himself, even if he had the wish or skills to try & rein them in.
I LOVE the Ted Lasso quote - it is a factoid I have discovered over recent times and it blew me away! (Maybe Tolkein knew something before the scientists?)
I love what you say Cindy. It just makes complete and total sense. Funny. I wrote "fish rots from the head" in an earlier version but took it out. I've observed Luxon for a while now and I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. At one point I even wrote "I feel sorry for Chris Luxon" because as bad as he is in many ways, I felt he was the least nefarious of the lot.
But having seen multiple interviews where he's presented with evidence, and then pretends he doesn't know it, or watching him go on the attack when he has no real answer, AND watching him promise cancer drugs sincerely but in reality not giving a **** about it - until public backlash - I find him very empty.
He's laser focused on marketing, spin, self-image and his own success. It's a poor form government led by an empty suit, one who is much more interested in self-preservation than the good of Kiwis. And those around him are the same unfortunately.
Is he a liar? Does someone who is the recipient of a successful lobotomy have the nous to lie without an attached AI cable ??
When Slimey Brown first appeared on the scene someone quipped "Does his mother know where he is". Obviously another concerned mum. It has some validity as he behaves exactly like a kid in a toy shop.
From a philosophical point of view though, maybe they know they are lying, but believe their righteousness and purpose means it’s still the right thing to do (end justifies the means sort of thing). Or they are just naive and believe whatever their supporter/sponsors have told them.
To sort of answer your initial question.
Is the Pope catholic? Do bears shit in the woods? Is Paris a city?
💯
I was prepared to be shown that Luxon et al would be better than advertised, once they had to do things for real, and not in theory - i.e. when the EVIDENCE showed the real life consequences to human beings of Aotearoa of reducing or taking away funding, imposing failed "beneficiary" regimes from the recent past etc. Should have known better, but better to be hopeful than hopeless?
It is disturbing that much of this disconnect from what is good & right for the people they have the privilege of governing, is coming from a co-ordinated strategy funded by, and to the benefit of, big money & big corporations - with blatantly selfish & non-democratic motives.
I am prepared (still) to accept that the PM and/or other govt ministers can occasionally get mixed up or misspeak, but Luxon is now a serial offender, so it becomes obvious he either doesn't do his homework, or is intellectually unfit to lead a govt - surely understanding the facts & outcomes behind policy decisions is basic?
Even if you are so well off the "everyday" is beyond your ken, knowing FACTS that inform policies for the "everyday" Kiwi is YOUR JOB!
The saying I have seen a lot lately is "the fish rots from the head" & it is hardly surprising if other members of the coalition are comfortable to "misspeak", gas-light, and often plain lie & mislead. Yes, some will ALWAYS try it on (especially those for whom this is not their first rodeo, or their first coalition, or their first/second party!) but the PM can hardly expect to have any authority if he is doing the same thing himself, even if he had the wish or skills to try & rein them in.
I LOVE the Ted Lasso quote - it is a factoid I have discovered over recent times and it blew me away! (Maybe Tolkein knew something before the scientists?)
I love what you say Cindy. It just makes complete and total sense. Funny. I wrote "fish rots from the head" in an earlier version but took it out. I've observed Luxon for a while now and I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. At one point I even wrote "I feel sorry for Chris Luxon" because as bad as he is in many ways, I felt he was the least nefarious of the lot.
But having seen multiple interviews where he's presented with evidence, and then pretends he doesn't know it, or watching him go on the attack when he has no real answer, AND watching him promise cancer drugs sincerely but in reality not giving a **** about it - until public backlash - I find him very empty.
He's laser focused on marketing, spin, self-image and his own success. It's a poor form government led by an empty suit, one who is much more interested in self-preservation than the good of Kiwis. And those around him are the same unfortunately.
Love it Cindy, as I love MTs whole korero!!
Thank you Judith :)
Yes.
Sapphi ❤️
Is he a liar? Does someone who is the recipient of a successful lobotomy have the nous to lie without an attached AI cable ??
When Slimey Brown first appeared on the scene someone quipped "Does his mother know where he is". Obviously another concerned mum. It has some validity as he behaves exactly like a kid in a toy shop.