Robert Winter clarifies the debate over politics during disasters brilliantly on his blog Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow.
Had I the wit, I'd have responded to my detractors thus when harranged by them recently for asking a politically-loaded question.
Robert says:
"One understands fully why formal politics is suspended because of the Christchurch earthquake. For a time, there must be an unremitting focus on rescue and reconstruction, and this is understood. But the idea that politics ends because of this terrible event is simply wrong. The current ceasefire is politics in practice. Politics continues in a different form, but it continues. Indeed, political management is in full swing as we grieve for Christchurch. So the truculence of those who condemn others for commenting politically on, for example, the Rebstock report at this time is simply another version of ongoing politics, in this case, a crude and cynical use of Christchurch as a means to promote their own brand of politics by omission."
He continues the argument here.
Friday, February 25, 2011
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6 comments:
the difference Robert is that he is talking about politics in general, NOT making political cheap shots out of the earthquake situation.
BIG DIFFERENCE
Robert talks about the earthquake in particular and makes it clear that he believes that issues of the day, and he gives the example of the Rebstock Report,ought still to be addressed, not put on the back burner because someone called 'cheap shot'. The issue of overly severe measures being taken during a disaster, where lesser measures might have sufficed, is another which can, in my view, rightly be discussed, without hordes of righteously indignant commenters swinging in to try to batter commenters into silence.
Call for unquestioning acceptance of any measure during crisis is a risky business but one that authoritarian governments around the world rely on for their success. If here in New Zealand we are not able to question the decisions of our government,even and especially during times of great vulnerability, something is sadly askew.
You make a very valid point Robert, but if people really care about the "truth" this much, they will also understand the importance of wisdom at a time such as this.
Quite right Shunda.
It was not my intention to die in a ditch over this matter.
I'm sure the people of Christchurch are more than happy to see soldiers and armoured vehicles and Australian police sworn to our force, in the streets, helping where they can. The niceties of politics around such presence won't be bothering those on the front line.
Youre a Jerk sometimes robert. Pull your head in and go easy on your political conspiracy theories for a while aye.
Conspiracy?
Where!
You're reading too much into my lighthearted comments anon.
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