I wonder how many blokes are getting a bit tired of
having to justify their very existence every time they come within screaming
distance of members of the "MeToo" movement.
What can we do to avert this mindless
mis-characterisation of the innocent?
For some more strident members of the female sex, we only
have to be seen in public wearing shorts with a zip to automatically qualify as
a rapist in the making.
I can't imagine we would find things easier even if we
took the " Cunliffe" approach and apologised for being a man. That
didn't do him much good did it!
Fortunately, my situation in this new environment appears
to be somewhat less onerous than the poor buggers who frequent the boardrooms
or senior management positions of CBD buildings.
I guess it has a lot to do with the fact that here on the
Coast, a system of peaceful co-existence between the sexes has operated well
for ages. We have both found that we depend on each other simply for survival
and so anybody getting a bit uppity, no matter what the reason, will need to be
sure of their facts before making accusations that can't be substantiated.
At the same time, we are quick to sort out those who are
treating any member of society with disrespect and appropriate justice is soon
metered out.
While l haven't witnessed any public lynching yet, any
suggestion that a sexual abuser is living in our midst is taken very seriously.
This method of respectful co-operation has spread to all
sectors of our community and it has meant a more tolerant and understanding
acceptance of cultural, gender and social standing boundaries. We are all the
better for it.
Sadly, the same can't be said for the United States of
America, whose very name is becoming a misnomer. In fact, it is doubtful if
that country has ever been more divided - at least not since the Civil war of
the 1860's.
Why is this so.
From a kiwi's perspective, there is little doubt that the
one ingredient that appears lost from the American Society is respect for the
rule of law across the country.
How else could the circus that erupted over Judge Brett
Kavanaugh's elevation to the Supreme Court be explained.
It would appear that one of the cornerstones of the US
form of democracy, The Supreme Court, has now become a bit player in the fight
to gain and maintain political power. Respect for the law seems to be regarded in many quarters as almost a
relic of a bygone era - a rubber stamp that is used to add credibility to some
of the most bizarre decisions emerging from State legislature that previously
would have been rejected as unconstitutional.
Fortunately, this moronic behaviour hasn't yet reached
our shores but there are signs that senior members of the Government would be
happy if it happened along tomorrow or earlier. The selective demonising of
certain sectors of society who can't defend themselves is already being used as
a tool in order to achieve a political objective - the imposition of the carbon
tax is a classic example.
But why have we, here in New Zealand, resisted the tide
at least up until now.
A lot of it has to do with the fact that we still value
our history and how we arrived at where we are today. We insist that those who
wish to distort the facts for political purposes are given a short shift before
they can infiltrate the text books with their revisionist garbage.
Most Kiwis still accept their responsibilities as parents
to leave our children a legacy of an ordered society.
Us "Baby Boomers" can look at the next
generation for which we have been responsible over the last 4 decades and be
relatively satisfied with our work.
We were fortunate enough to grow up in a society where
our parents and our grandparents had experienced some of the darkest days in
the history of the world.
There is no question that we have benefitted from those
experiences in the form of their guidelines for living.
We can also be thankful that, in general, the standards
of morality and acceptable codes of conduct handed down to us have been passed
on to our kids.
It has been a plan for community living where everybody
makes a contribution.
You rejected those
basic rules at your peril.
Unfortunately, things may be about to change even here in
Godzone.
While it still
follows that each generation is the product of the environment in which we grew
up, there are cracks appearing today that have all the hallmarks of a society
under siege.
The full blown version of the disease is a result of
years of appeasement of the extreme sectors of our community that has allowed
them access to or influence over our governing institutions without firing a
shot.
It isn't too late to stop this unfortunate experiment
with our heritage but it will require some wise leadership that is dedicated to
returning this country to being one that is more interested in the rule of law
than the sideshows that are only intent in pulling the house down.
It's up to all of us.
Clive Bibby is a commentator, consultant, farmer and
community leader, who lives in Tolaga Bay.
1 comment:
Good Take on just what is happening to our society.
The “Me Too” World of identity politics; of ethnic and gender diversity; of a classic rejection by our Parliament of any majority vote by the people (ie The Smacking saga); of instituting Constitutional changes without reference to the majority of New Zealanders i.e. Geographical names; and of handing out Foreign aid to such terrorist organisations as the Palestine Gaza Authority!
In N.Z. only a deafening silence, and lack of action on the right to defend free speech, and then virtually sanctioning a denial of any venues to those with opposite views.
This attitude by not only our politicians, but by many minority groups within our society, sounds a death knell of what our forefathers fought, and died for, over the centuries namely “Freedom Itself”.
The trial by the U.S. media and left wing politically violent terrorists over the election of Judge Brett Kavanaugh shows a complete disregard for the rule of law. It also is an example that those who sing loud enough, and long enough, frighten our politicians and civic authorities into a cowardly act of appeasement.
Too long have we seen the effects of continual appeasement in this country, principally on the grounds that minorities should have the same power as a majority? Nowhere is this more exemplified, than in our adoption of the MMP electoral system that allows us to vote for just over half our representatives in our Parliament. What next a Beehive of all List members? Who will then collect the nectar?
Yes! the ructions in the USA are well advertised, while ours, even potential ones are brushed conveniently aside by our leftish bias media.
Yet the biggest threat to our Western Civilisation comes directly from us as a people, by our neglect in standing up and rejecting those, who by their ideology and personal ambitions; would surrender our national sovereignty on the altar of the United Nations. i.e. The signing of the Global Compact by our Prime Minister in December, and so called Human effect on Climatic variations!
A Tax by any other name will hurt the same!
\Brian
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