Clive Bibby: The Age of the Appeasers

The last decade of human existence has seen the emergence of regional leadership vacuums throughout what is left of the "Free World" that have been filled by political power blocs that owe allegiance to no one and are contemptuous of any counter force that tries to slow their momentum.

And their greatest ally in this naked grab for power is the "appeaser" who is ready to offer them the keys to what has been, at least since the end of WW 2, the only thing that has kept us safe from this type of open aggression.

This re-writing of the international landscape is the result of democratically elected governments (not just in the US) abandoning those who are defenceless against such malevolent actions.

Here at home the outlook is also grim although the "aggressor" comes from within.

You don't have to look far to see the same process taking hold, allowing local special interest groups to usurp control at central and local government level.

Out here in the rural backwater of Tairawhiti, these small but hugely influential collectives are designing the new world order that includes nothing other than their own selfish objectives. They have totally intimidated the democratically elected council who appear unfazed by or ignorant of the potential damage this "takeover" will cause to future economic and social development programmes. Instead, we now see a community awash with "feelgood" platitudes that will do nothing for those at the lowest rung on the social ladder who need jobs and security that will only come from sound economic management involving the development of the few remaining resources that are still viable after Covid 19. put earlier plans on hold.

This sort of betrayal can only happen when those who occupy the treasury benches and sit around the council tables throughout the country abdicate their responsibilities to those who elected them to keep us safe.

During times of crisis, we expect governments to lead and are prepared to grant them extraordinary powers that will enable them to act quickly in our best interests in order to challenge any threat to our survival.

It is clear that the current government of this country has abused that privilege and instead used the opportunity to allow any "half baked" selfish idea clear air and authority to operate unrestrained. Sadly, these measures will do nothing to help those who need it most simply because they were never intended to. They were designed to only numb the sanctimonious twinges of their creators.

We see this flagrant abdication happening at places like Ihumatao where the national interests are being trampled by the few who are allowed to express their sense of entitlement at the expense of the laws that govern our democracy.

It is called appeasement. It is certainly not Government of the people, for the people, by the people.

On the international scene, the situation is much worse and on the verge of being irretrievable.

In the northern hemisphere, where most of the action that will determine our future is happening, the "appeasement" policies of previous US administrations, particularly during the Obama years, are causing much more problems for world order than anything the Carona virus can throw at us.

Have we learned nothing from History. The "Cold War" was the result of Roosevelt's appeasement polices that ignored Churchill's warnings of the post war Russian threat.

Communist dictatorships have always shown that they are not constrained by an electorate that requires them to operate under policies of peaceful co-existence. And any perceived threat to regime survival from within is brutally dispatched.

The modern equivalent (China and Russia) know no other way and are currently operating true to form albeit, at least at this stage, using economic subterfuge rather than military might to expand their influence. But make no mistake, the other method at their disposal is available and will be used if required. Until now, they haven't needed to bother using or threatening to use that option while "appeasers" occupy the White House. Trump is the first President in a long time to signal that he is willing to push back in order to halt this unwelcome advance.

Consequently, we should be very concerned that the last opportunity to challenge the expansionist policies of both China, Russia and to a lesser extent, their vassal Islamic states like Iran, is in danger of collapse simply due to a lack of support (particularly from our European partners) for the current US president who is the only international leader with the "bottle" and military might capable of holding these aggressors to account.

Yet those of us in the "Free World" who should be recognising the threat these dictatorial regimes pose to our own sovereignty seem content continuing with this preferred option of appeasement which can only end in tears. We stand idly by, 'tut tuting' at the extraordinary evidence of capability and intent shown with China's brutal crushing of the 7 million Hong Kong residents' freedoms, lamely expecting that this will be the last of it. Yeah right!

The only thing these regimes recognise is an opponent's strength (most notably the military version). And the only counter to their illegal military and economic expansion is a show of force from those with the capability of threatening their existence.

Unfortunately and perhaps ironically, the only country currently capable of mounting that challenge looks as if it might be persuaded by the left wing media to elect another "appeaser" who will simply get out of the way.

Are you ready for "Sleepy Joe" facing down China with or without our support?

  

Believe me - it would never happen. And then, where would we be!

Clive Bibby is a commentator, consultant, farmer and community leader, who lives in Tolaga Bay.