There are roles the political leader of a country plays that are non-political. They are a task of the office rather than the office-holder. A prime minister responding to a national emergency, for instance, or representing our country in times of grief or alarm.
John Key does these well, in my opinion. His everyman, guy-next-door likability serves him, and he delivers the (no doubt scripted) appropriate words appropriately and with an apparent sensitivity which goes over well.
His role in that moment is not to ‘solve’ the problem, but to help ‘salve’ our pain. He represents us, offers sympathy on behalf of us all, evokes community solidarity and promises of collectivism the detail of which will follow later. Think of his appearances at the Pike River miners’ memorial, at the Christchurch earthquake services, and other episodes of national shock and mourning.
So it was yesterday, announcing the sobering details (gut-wrenching for those of us with loved ones serving in the military in Afghanistan) of the deaths and injuries inflicted on NZ Defence Force personnel over the weekend.
Credit where it’s due. He is a good communicator in those situations.
– P
He does it well does he…???
He says that some of these latest sacrificial offerings to the gods of war didnt have a lot of family here in nz and notes at least one wasnt married??
Or did your beloved media get it wrong .. again.
Is Johnny boy paying you to say these things. Or are you a shareholder in a funeral home or perhaps a firm of lawyers specialising in litigants for disaster situations.
Either way – Johnny boy is good for business i guess.
And worse (for you) – the dignity of the office – whose tit are you really pulling here. For goodness sake Peter – this is dead people – in a land whose war is not our own.
Key has not dignity – he is Wall Street and the Fed wrapped in plastic fernleaves for effect. The man would know integrity if his ass actually was pointing to the ground instead of being raised for the next penetration by the US and the FBI.
He is a fuckbuddy to special interests. Nothing more ….
That simpering two faced creep doesnt represent me – or those of my forebears who fought died and were buried in Europe and Italy.
How dare you indulge in apologetics for this latest farce. Good young men died because that simpering pansy was too busy pushing his latest US friendly agenda.
Shame on you.
I was really hoping to avoid provoking such a negative reaction.
Obviously we disagree about the PM’s role in these situations and how we see Mr Key’s performance. I’ve just expressed my honest opinion, Ivan. Without flamboyance, I thought.
I offer no apologetics for the US-led incursion into Afghanistan and Iraq — that wasn’t my point. Can I politely suggest that with people who I love at risk of harm there (see: http://www.thepaepae.com/anzacs/22944/) my focus and consciousness about the situation may be different to yours.
– P
I’m pleased I dropped by. Not sure why after explaining to myself that reading this labour sponsored completey Bias claiming to be neutral hypocritical to the max blog was like talking to someone in a cult.
This post takes the cake and could not be a better example.
I quote. “Credit where credit is due. ” Is only stated when someone wants to downplay the person in question, because when push comes to shove they are still against them.
Im not sure why you wanted to tell the world you felt this way about Keys great speeches in sad times It’s such a backhanded compliment. Even though Ivan is full of it. I still respect him more for not sugar coating it.
Also Good to see the comments flooding in.
And the fact you were afraid of provoking a negative reaction speaks volumes in your own bias towards topics and agendas and that the cult followers would lash out at there leader. If you think this backhanded comment suggests you have turned a leaf and come from a neutral standpoint. I’ll send you a mirror. I’ll make sure it’s red.
Hello again Craig. Thanks for reading.
The ‘negative reaction’ I hoped to avoid provoking was a recollection of Ivan’s allegation (with which I disagreed) that John Key was becoming “New Zealands most prominent Professional mourner” when we last discussed his role in these times … http://www.thepaepae.com/be-careful-what-you-believe/19313/comment-page-1/#comment-11610
‘Credit where credit is due’ is not a put-down in my lexicon. Just the opposite, in fact.
This post, like everything I post here, is my own opinion, honestly expressed in my own name. Take it at face value. I’m not as ducks-and-drakes as you seem to infer — nor is The Paepae ‘labour sponsored’ as you suggest.
– P
I dont believe for a moment -craig or anybody … that the Paepae or Peter aranyi are labour motivated or sponsored. Pete and i have crossed swords on more than one occasion where i have openly cited his comments as neo liberal and quite partisan toward the moneyed elite.
I may well be “full of it” to quote Craig … it remains to be seen what i am full of … one mans shit is another mans (to quote monty python) … well .. something nicer than shit anyway.
The paepae … labour sponsored – fuck off Craig … thats like saying madonna isnt a blousy wench.
The paepae is a bastion of thought encompassing seeing all sides of the story. Pete does it well .. and he irritates the living hell out of me.
Pete isnt left wing – or a labour voter – he is a bona fide breast fed capitalist – with a conscience. That struggle is evident to me and those who have supped the sacred tonic from the sacred grail – and also those with half a fucking brain to read his posts.
He’s a paid up member of the Skulls – cooperated on the movie – and goddammit got very well paid for it.
Now … off to Area 51 for a coffee break.
Pete – clear the answering machine please.