Like most normal, law abiding New Zealanders, I nearly choked last night when I heard that the three protesters, who broke into the Waihopai Base and damaged property, were to walk free without conviction (
link here). I am the first person to believe in freedom of speech and the right to protest, in fact like most New Zealanders who served in the military, I know also it is the military that preserves this right by being prepared to step into harms way and stop those that try and damage democracy and freedom of speech. Hell, I bet these three protesters and their mates are all very nice, gentle, educated individuals who think God is right behind them on this crusade.....and good on them! This does not make them, their opinions or their actions right.
There are several issues here. Were they charged with the correct offence? They seem to have been (but I am not a lawyer) and no doubt the Police will bring further charges if their legal advice is contrary to this so I won't dwell on this. These characters might believe in God and the fact that the US Intelligence and Military has made some awful mistakes over the years, but in general they have a tough job. Further to that New Zealand is part of a large group of countries who commit to gathering intelligence and given that no Government has changed this arrangement in recent years one can assume it is in New Zealand’s best interests. If it needs to change then it must be done through our Parliamentary process.
The fact that a small minority can do this and get away with it is just ridiculous. If they want to protest then do so by all means but breaking in a damaging property? Come on! It damages New Zealand’s International credibility, it makes us look stupid and worse it actually damaged a system that is set up to stop terrorist organisations from achieving their goal of killing innocent people. An extreme version of what these Waihopai protesters were trying to do.....raise awareness of their cause!
So what are we going to put up with next?
you got it in one. hopefully it will be appealed & the book thrown at them. but with Kiwi mindset I am not holding my breath
ReplyDeleteIs killing thousands of Iraqis terrorism?
ReplyDeleteMike no it is not terrorism. A mistake and a mess...yes. Over the last two years or more most killing in Iraq has been between Iraqis. I don't think you would get too many Kiwis who agree with what has happeneed in Iraq since Weapons of Mass Destruction were never found, hence NZ has not committed to this conflict anything other than UN Observers.
ReplyDeleteGood on ya Langers - normal bunch of weird loony types thinking that they are striking a blow for peace....when in reality the only thing they are stiking a blow for is their inalienable right to a Caledonian haymaker and a generous dose of size 13s to the ribcage! What is happening in Godzone...are we now that pathetic that a priest, a vegetarian, and a hippy get the jump on us....!!!!
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