There has been some criticism from soft headed lefties at Phil Goff’s ruling out having Hone Harawira as part of the next government. Today’s Herald reinforces his decision.
Hone Harawira has described Osama bin Laden as “a man who fought for the rights, the land and the freedom of his people”.
In tributes on Maori-language television, the leader of the new Mana Party said the al-Qaeda founder should be “honoured” rather than “damned” in death according to Maori culture.
I’m glad Shane was asked for comment rather than me. His response is great.
Labour MP Shane Jones said he did not have the same level of affection for bin Laden as Mr Harawira.
He also scotched Mr Harawira’s claim that it was Maori custom to always pay tribute to the dead.
“In the old days, a great enemy – if he wasn’t eaten – his bones were used to make musical instruments. So this romantic notion that in the old time, Maori spent hours of their time saluting the enemy was not the case.
“Enemies were turned to dust and people rejoiced, because of the suffering they had caused.”
What Hone actually did was a mihi to the dead, a Maori custom despite who the person is.
I hold no more brief for Bin Laden than I do for the capitalist US murderers of people in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and their own country.
What Hone’s mihi did for me was to inject a little humanity into the situation and take the edge off the hysterical screams of approval for Obama’s break , enter and execute without trial.
I won’t be signing up for the Mana party but I appreciated the brief moment of civilisation.
yes don franks, yes shane jones… in that order
Anton, get your blinkers off and read some of the history.
Hopefully you also saw those two clowns on TV1 tonight defending Hone AND the result of the poll. Surely that must tell you something about what those in the real world think.
or, if you’d prefer a fact-based analysis of this affair:
http://thestandard.org.nz/anatomy-of-a-lie/
Labour hasn’t been in opposition long enough yet to bother what those in the real world think on most issues…
It’ll take at least another term, possibly two.
George warning you are turning into a troll with no redeeming features. Decided if you want to add value or piss off.
@the sprout “fact based” analysis from “The Standard” is an oxymoron, they don’t like anyone who is not a rabid, table thumping revolutionary. They are trying to justify Harawiras statement as a right wing conspiracy and claim he was taken out of context. More troubling is that they also don’t like Trevor. If Labour go anywhere near that Mana crowd and their maniacal leader – its death by polling booth that awaits.
Good on Hone for saying a mihi for Osama.
He’s the only politician that has stood up for what is a summary execution launched from an occupied country into another country. Pakistan’s sovereignty has been given no respect, not to mention saying anything about international law.
Henry Kissenger assisted Pinochet in the coup which deposed a democratically elected government, killed 3,000 people (mostly trade unionists) and made something like 15,000 people go missing. Henry Kissenger continues to advise the US Government on defence matters. He advised GWB on Iraq (1,000,000 dead). He has a past of being involved in other war crimes from Vietnam to The Congo.
Other war criminals at large are Ariel Sharon, Benjamin Netanyahu, Tony Blair and George W. Bush.
If Labour had any balls they would be saying something like what Harawira is saying. Of course they won’t do this as the general public have anaesthetised by the corporate media and Labour don’t want to let people’s feelings get in the way of the truth.
All war criminals should be brought to justice, not just the Islamic ones.
I can imagine my post will be moderated.
Well Im pleased that Phil has refused to work with Hone.
He is unreliable and would be a burden . And don’t forget there is his mother hovering in the background.