But will he walk the talk?
The US is actually unique for not valuing life!
"...that’s what sets America apart from every other country; we value life. That is what makes us unique.” - Sarah Sanders There is a high level of delusion operating in the White House. The stream of mistruths that come out of President Trump and Sarah Sanders' mouths are clearly blatant lies but millions of US citizens believe them. With daily diets of Fox News and living in a very insular culture , there is little that challenges these false perceptions of US "greatness". When comparing the United States of America with most other developed nations it becomes clear that it probably places less value on life than most and doesn't compare well with many developing countries too: If the US really valued life then it would abolish the death penalty, it is the only Western Country that executes people under law ( 23 people were executed in 2018 ). If the US really valued life then it would have an equitable and universal health care system. The cur
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Yes.
It is.
Russel Norman's there this weekend, well ahead of Smith and Roy (should he ever turn up).
Go Green!
As to Waituna, I have met with staff of Environment Southland, Fish and Game, dairy leaders and Federated Farmers president as well as Ministry of Environment staff to look at ways to stop the degradation of Waituna Lagoon. National has produced a national freshwater strategy, something I note the Greens didn't try to do during their time on the Treasury benches.
Just found your post Paddy - I read that you were taking a break from blogging but here you are! Excellent!
A for 'talking about someone when they're not in the room' - isn't that what we bloggers do, or are you not guilty of discussing someone in a distant place (I must look back over your posts for the sake of my education).
You blithely accept that Eric has been active in 'saving Waituna' - he says he's had meetings here and there - I'd love to hear how the one with Federated Farmers went! They seem to be in serious denial. Eric may well have been beavering away in the background - I hope he has and I'm sure he's enjoyed the opportunity that I provided for him to tell the world. I'd really like to know what progress he's made, what real steps have been taken on the ground, to prevent the flipping of the lagoon. Though I've been listening closely to every possible source, I've not, til now, heard anything from Mr Roy that would make me think 'he's onto it". As the MP for the electorate that Waituna is part of, I'd have thought he'd be leading the charge! Not til now, it would seem.
As to Eric's attack on the credibility of the Greens, Albert might like to 'run a ruler over that' when the next edition of the Southland Times is published. Keep the figure 8 000000 in mind Albert. Russels 'Dirty Rivers Tour' has show his on-going commitment to getting off his comfortable seat in the House and going out to see in reality what our freshwater is like - I'm not impressed by Eric's derision at all - are you Paddy? It wouldn't surprise me however, if Eric didn't even know about it. FYI - Russel met with scientists from ES, the CEO and two councillors, iwi representatives and DoC management at Waituna for an intense meeting, then went for a 'paddle' on the lagoon, then on to another meeting with farmers from the catchment, the Waituna Landcare Group and others for another close-up chance to learn what was really going on. Not bad for the leader of New Zealand's 3 largest political party. Do you think Key will turn up for a day at Waituna
My comment about absences is based on public statements and observed actions. I have been reading your blog for some time and haven't noticed much reference to the areas we have brought up here. If these are things that are important to you I thought perhaps there may be mention of them, if you have and I've missed them I am happy to be corrected.
I think you need to be reminded that the Greens have never been on the treasury benches as you keep claiming, you might remember that Labour decided to go with NZ1st and Peter Dunne instead. All our achievements have had to come through negotiation and private members bills and we have done pretty well at that.
It is also a pity that our other really good initiatives like "Buy Kiwi Made" have been discarded by your government, but we are grateful that you saw the wisdom of our home insulation initiative.
I look forward to more discussions here now that I know you are watching. :-)