As my Carol Sawyer relates in the article below, something is seriously off-kilter in NZ right now, and it seems tied in with things far beyond local events if media reports are anything to go by.
A certain mainstream media source related no less than three times (in what amounts to a rehashed article with minor alterations) that it has procured part of a “top secret” police list of over 100 individuals being “watched”. I contacted the author of these articles expressing concern about this alleged list being available to MSM sources (who else has access to it?) and was met with silence, which is rather cowardly and rude in my opinion. It seems clear someone wants to promote fear within the alternative and independent media community. Of greatest concern is the reports of Police “door knocking” without clear motive. We all want a safe community, but surely there are better ways than this alleged harassment?MH
| POLICE WITH GUNS, WITH NO DUE CAUSE, IS A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN NZ by Pam Vernon By Carol Sawyer Armed police banging on doors on Sunday mornings, to harass people with no due cause, is fascist and totalitarian. Police asking people what their views on Jacinda Ardern are, and on Trump, and whether they have ‘ethnic minority’ friends is out of order. Jacinda Ardern is behaving more like an apprentice dictator than the PM of a democratic country, (if, of course, she is actually aware this is happening). It might be better to calm down and permit rational discussion – including the acceptance of differing points of view. Is there any rational talk in NZ any more? People are understandably getting incredibly wound up about a number of issues related to freedom of speech.The events in Christchurch have thrown us all out of gear, as a country. As Stephen Franks pointed out in an interview with Sean Plunket (MagicTalk Radio, 8 May, 2019) we can not and should not rely on the police to make us feel safe. Safety comes from the checks and balances of our society itself, when people trust each other and have bedrock beliefs in common. Interfere with that and there will be problems. Importantly, the police should not have lists of suspects without any explanation to the public of why they are suspects! ********************************************************* I have just spoken to Travis Mills, Private Secretary (Police), about this matter. He told me, and I quote: “It is highly unlikely that police would be questioning people’s political preferences. Who you vote for is not a matter for NZ Police.” Therefore if this has happened, you need to lay a complaint with the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA). Phone 0800-503-728, or fill in an online complaint form at www.ipcs.govt.nz |
