"In a lot of ways I would rather not write this post, but I have been reflecting on what happened yesterday in the Parliamentary debating chamber and there are some things I want to say."
Grant Robertson, Labour MP, comments on yesterday's unpleasantness in the House, describing the desperate man's attempt to throw himself from the public gallery, and the piece that I've copied her, on John Key's disturbing behaviour that followed the incident.
"But there is a political element, and it was introduced by the Prime Minister. I just can not fathom his reaction. I could not hear everything he said, and it is not picked up on video because his microphone was not on, but from talking to others, it is quite clear he was talking about the incident and saying “Labour should be ashamed”, and that is “down to you”. He then did a strange gesture moving his hand across his throat (you can see it at 2.06 on the video below). What follows from that is the angry reaction from Labour members, and what I think was a very measured and calm response from Phil Goff."
14 comments:
David Cunliffe summed it up nicely on the news tonight.
I missed that Jacqueline. Could you precis for me?
"desperate man"
Well that's an interesting description of an idiot lunatic.
As soon as people start suggesting things like, oh I don't know, throwing yourself off a balcony could be a rational act, I tend to switch off.
Lets try and find out what Key really said, because this whole event sounds utterly bizarre to me, and smells of a dozen rats.
And for crying out loud, let's not make this 'jumper' some sort of martyr.
Shunda - you've obviously read a psychiatric report that describes this man's state of mind - you wouldn't claim that he was an 'idiot lunatic' based on what you've seen from a distance, would you? You do base your judgements on some facts, tempered with reason and compassion, don't you?
The only suggestion I've heard anywhere on the internet, that this man is being martyred, comes from you! Perhaps it's the swine fever talking.
You say, lets find out what Key really said. I wonder if you have addressed my 'challenge' to imagine what level of provocation would have been required to create such a reaction from the Labour MP's. I take it you don't accept Grant Robertson's account of Key's behaviour?
“This is one of the rare glimpses into the man behind the mask. The mask has slipped and here is a visceral anger coming out.”
is what David Cunliffe said on the news tonight.
So Robert, you are saying that jumping off balconies can be an entirely rational thing to do while shouting incoherently?
Gee, I just really struggle with that.
Why would Key say and do those things and what do you think he would have meant by it? come on, I really want to know what you think it was all about, or should I just accept things unquestioningly?
Shunda
"So Robert, you are saying that jumping off balconies can be an entirely rational thing to do while shouting incoherently?"
Nope, but if you can cut and paste where I said that, be my guest.
I believe Key made a comment as Goff was preparing to continue his speech, implicating Labour in the incident that had occurred moments before. That seems provocative and insensitive to me. He then made a throat-slitting gesture, aimed at Phil Goff, as Goff was about to speak. You can't prove, from the various video versions, that that is the case but the Labour party comments since thenindicate that it did happen, and the visceral reaction from so many of the Labour MPs, especially the women, indicate to me that something of that magnitude occurred. If not the throat-cutting action by Key, then what, Shunda?
That's my take on the events. You will have seen for yourself, the behaviour of Key after the 'scum-bag' calls and the reply from Goff. personally, I found Goff's response to be very impressive, genuine and appropriate. I thought Key was supercilious and spiteful. There ya go!
Thank you Jacqueline. I concur with Cunliffe.
This comment, lifted from Red Alert, might help.
"Every one in Parliament was shocked by the incident,not least of all the Labour side who were underneath the poor man. However one did not expect an attack to be launched by the prime minister, not just verbally but then by a really nasty, thoroughly reprehensible, intimidatory gesture. One could see Annette King , Stevie Chadwick, and Darien Fenton almost physically being ‘taken aback’ (in fact jerking backwards) at the gesture John Key made. If he felt scared and attacked, it certainly looked as though he made Annette, Stevie and Darien feel the same way and they then responded with anger and probably the word ’scum’.
(I think it was a man who said ’scumbag’) I felt as appalled and shocked as they looked. Everyone was just coming to terms with one shock ,only to have another launched at them by their own prime minister!!! Stevie already looked near to tears as they settled after the man was led to safety, and then to have John Key verbally attacking them face on, followed by a nasty,physical gesture, she definitely looked rather red eyed, even Annette looked pretty upset. I felt as aghast and upset myself, and I was merely viewing it from another time and space! Mr. Goff maintained stature and prescence and asked that the prime minister should apologise. But he didn’t. End of a very sad story in 21st century New Zealand.
I have written this in full as many keep trying to minimise the ‘incident’. It certainly wasn’t ‘minimal’ in any democracy.
Jacinda said the same on Breakfast yesterday. She still seemed rattled by both sorry incidents.
You see, the thing is, we are supposed to take Labour MPs at their word, and for some reason even typing that makes me laugh.
If this is true what they have said of Key, then yeah, what a dick head.
But quite frankly, talk of crying and emotional trauma and bla bla bla, please, harden up and just deal with it.
These people are supposed to be running the country not the effing parliamentary circus.
Establish what happened, go through the correct channels, and expose the truth (if there is really anything to expose).
Leaving aside what might have been said, Shunda, and accepting that Key made a throat-slitting gesture, what is your opinion of that?
I don't understand what the gesture could possibly have been in reference to and struggle to place it in any logical context.
If he did it then I would like to know why and what it meant, but I have doubts that he even did it.
Why do you think I have some sort of motivation to defend Key at all costs? I just want to know what really happened, I don't really have an issue either way.
Shunda - I have searched out as much information as I can about the throat-slashing thing, as it seems to me an important point. If a Prime Minister can do something like that in the House and not be held to account, its something we should all be concerned about, in my opinion, in part for the 'way things are buried', and also in the way it reflects upon the Prime Minister. My conclusion is that he did make the gesture. I've covered why I reached that conclusion. You've not decided that, I can see, and there's no point my repeating myself ad nauseum. To me, the reactions from the Labour women and their observations afterwards make it perfectly clear what happened. I also trust my own powers of observation, and watched Key's behaviour/demeanour immediately after the furore and as he left the House. I'm of no doubt.
Here are a few more observations harvested from about the place, on the incident.
"5 October 2011 at 9:32 pm
The throat slash gesture is a universal aggressive threat sign. Key used it just as Goff was about to resume his speech at the request of the Speaker.
It shows, for me, the subterranean aspect of Key that has essentially motivated him throughout his career; the ‘core of steel’ that, if you remember, those who knew him used to mention in those early biopics; the concealed ‘flick-knife’ up the sleeve of his affable personality commemorated in that intriguingly expressive ‘smiling assassin’ moniker (from those who felt the thin, cold steel). His affability is merely the means to the ends that this darker side desires.
Key’s first instinct was to use this incident for his own gain, expressed through his words; his second instinct was to threaten Goff with a quick gesture (something the mics would not pick up). Not, of course, to threaten Goff with physical violence but to note to Goff – man on man – that he will kill him politically, and the pleasure he will derive from that.
New Zealand, meet your Prime Minister.
mike 35.2
6 October 2011 at 3:22 am
Fairly nice description of a sociopath there Puddleglum. Having watched the vid a few times now I feel we really saw the mask slip today. I have a degree in psychology, he is baiting Goff, classic sociopath tactic. He wants Goff to lose his temper, (not his style), or (more likely), get Goff to start publicly attacking his character so he can smile, act cool, and say that Goff is ‘losing the plot’ or is ‘desperate’. (Even though he badly deserves his character attacked of course.)
This is disgraceful, low behaviour for a PM, the media should nail him, but it looks like our fearless pussycats will just put the blinkers on again.
Where are you getting the ‘core of steel’ from? Can you link me?
In a moment that could not be scripted by his handlers, the real John Key comes out. Not that crosby-textor crafted narrative of the everyman who came from poverty into riches but the petty, point-scoring little boy in search of validation who thinks that if he can just get people to laugh at his half-arsed attempts to get one over on the opposition then people will like him.
Today we saw the real John Key and not the cardboard cut out. We should never let people forget it. That whiff of sulphur we have been smelling every time he speaks….today, if we had been close enough we would have seen the red in his eyes as he departed from script.
Key showed his true colours in his response to this incident, the true colours that the general public generally just don’t get to see.
Sitting there afterwards, smirking at the Opposition. Read it and weep, NZ. And this is our PM?
Yikes. Knew he was a hollow man.
Key's outburst didn't surprise me in the least. I watch him inParliament every week! And as for the mask, I don't know why people are fooled, week in week out! I have never believed the "I'm a nice guy" persona. You don't get the label "the smiling assassin" for nothing!
October 6, 2011 9:28 AM
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