Open letter to the Two Christophers

Dear Christophers. Well, here we are a week out from the “changing of hands”. And there really aren’t any surprises as far as this writer is concerned, so I haven’t wasted too much time on the subject lately. But, from the view of a freedom protestor, I have a few things to say before the Big Night.

by Martin Harris 5/10/23

photo credit: RNZ

Mr. Hipkins:

Well, well, well. What a time to get Covid. And after all those “safe and effective” mRNA shots too. And now, suddenly, you express regret over all the misery and division the mandates caused over the last few years.

You reap what you sow is all I can say. My only regret is that it’s you and not the vile, vacuous individual who threw you under the bus.

And that’s where I do feel some sympathy for you. We had to sack the Red Queen and sack her we did. When you took over her position you had plenty of chance to apologise there and then, but you waited until karma hit you in the face. Too late I’m afraid.

I think you are probably a nice enough guy who was handed the PM role a little too early in your career.

Maybe you’ve learned something from the experience? Time will tell.

Mr. Luxon:

Not my first open letter to you. Everything this writer expressed in the last letter still stands. In part:

“I would remark that the protestors appear to have shown more courage, resilience, organisation and innovational skills in the past few weeks than the Labour government has displayed in it’s two terms attempting to run the country. Some acknowledgement along these lines might have won you a vote or two?

I am extremely disappointed at the failure of National to engage with the leaders and representatives of the protestors.

Recent polls have shown a 30% support for the protests: a considerable segment of the population. It is my educated and informed opinion that the support would be considerably higher had it not been for the highly biased media coverage focussing on the negative elements. Many people rely purely on news media coverage, and from what I’ve seen, such coverage has been shamefully one-sided.

These people are your potential supporters. But first, you, as a leader, need to support them. That starts with distinguishing the legitimate protestors from the inevitable trouble-makers.”

The entire letter here. It’s still totally relevant:

Not quite the landslide victory you’d been hoping for if the polls are anything to go by. Word on the street is the same. Everyone wants Labour gone, but we’re all a lot wiser after the sickening events of the last few years. And many of us haven’t forgotten how you turned your back on an army of potential voters. What a missed opportunity.

So, you too, reap what you sow.

Out of those freedom protests were born a number of new political parties, but only one career-politician had the savvy and the courage to go down and speak to the protestors at Wellington. Winston Peters, like him or not, is now reaping the rewards of that smart move. That trespass punishment paid off in the long run, didn’t it?

Focus: Winston Peters addresses protesters – NZ Herald

And so here we are. looks like you need to deal with the devil if you want to form a government. Actually, make that two devils.

You have that liberal-in-sheep’s-clothing Seymour to handle. the guy who thought that a bit of rain would make the protestors go home. I suspect that comment inspired Trevor Mallard’s childish idea of turning on the sprinklers.

This situation is your fault Mr. Luxon, and yours alone. At least the other Christopher has apologized, even if it’s a weak apology uttered a bit late.

I’m sure you’ll do a perfectly acceptable job of running (or ruining?) the country, you couldn’t do much worse than the tyrant who screwed the country over the greater part of the last six years. At least you’ll do it using business models instead of feelings and utopian ideologies.

Sorry, I’m probably pre-empting an election that isn’t done and dusted yet. Maybe your overlords have a few surprises for us yet. best of luck to you both with your forthcoming predicaments;)

Martin