Wednesday, May 4, 2011

get out of the way

Oh dear - Russel Norman co-leader of the Greens has decided he hasn't had enough media attention recently so he has to have his say about the Mana Party. What an idiot comment from him that he doesn't want to fight the battles of the 1980's and 1990's - hey russel we are still in those battles - just because you have been having a rest doesn't mean everyone else has been. Of course he has been reading the papers and is getting worried about the Green vote - my question is, "Why are the Greens not fulfilling their potential here, why haven't they captured the public imagination as everyone watches the environment struggle - Why? How about looking at Norman and his leadership and the trend towards the middle class vote - the suit vote. Your strategy is wrong norman and the small support you have shows that - stop being an impediment to the green vote and start thinking like a socially aware green.

Stuff
Dr Norman said "there might be a few votes" for the new party, but "maybe not a lot". "I mean, who wants to relive the battles of the 1980s and 1990s? We're in 2011 for God's sake. We need a progressive force that actually deals with where we are now, not tries to refight the 1980s and 1990s.
"I just don't think a lot of people are really hanging out for a Hone Harawira, Sue Bradford, John Minto, Annette Sykes kind of party ... They're looking for something progressive and forward-looking that actually is oriented to the current century rather than the last one."
I rather hang with them that you russel - they have conviction and strength of purpose. You have deliberately put yourself in the key/goff camp of politics norman, well done for you. My advice - if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem. If you don't like the will of the people who may vote for Mana, then piss off - we don't need or want you in the way.

Good post and hat tip - The Standard

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Russel backed down and said sorry. good move.

robertguyton said...

Marty - I think you've misconstrued Russel's comments somewhat. I don't believe they were intended to dis Mana in the way they read. As well as that, when friendships and alliances are forming, tolerance has to be shown on both sides as missteps will be made. Kia tau e hoa.

Marty Mars said...

Kia ora korua

yes anon i agree.

Rob you are right also and we have seen some mistakes from Hone too. We will put it to one side and get on with the job - our similarities are more important than our differences.

Anonymous said...

The greens and mana party could make a very strong force in and outside of parliament. The movement will need to be strong and staunch, and not always so concerned about the media.

One way around the media is to have direct events ie concerts, festivals, film nights, debate events and public meetings/hui/assemblies

It is clear that te Mana has changed the political dynamics in Aotearoa already. It will be interesting to see how much more things shift in the next few months.