Rod Emmerson’s view
Three big issues new President might sort out
Many are stunned and shocked. However, some of the things Donald Trump aspires to do make sense.
One is building up relations with Russia. The two countries hold the key to peace in the world and there must be a dialogue between them. Sanctions have time and again proved counterproductive.
Another is cleaning up Washington DC. With 89 per cent of the American people not trusting the Washington establishment, it is obvious something must be done. One problem is the unlimited influence of money from the wealthy and the major corporates that are allowed to ‘ buy influence’ in US politics. of New Zealand rattles her tiny tin sabre and vents her wrath.
As the age old saying goes, “get a life losers”.
Thirdly, he paints the Iraq war as a disaster. One would have hoped the disastrous Vietnam war would have brought some caution and learning to the US but given the situation in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Libya, there is little evidence of any learning.
If Donald Trump can sort these three issues out he would have earned his keep. protest against the US Navy warship Samson. As a boy in Wellington, I recall my mother and her sister telling me about the sense of quiet dread that settled over New Zealand after the fall of Hong Kong and Singapore in 1942. Somehow the news of Japanese atrocities had filtered back, for example, the bayonetting of hospital staff, patients and the wounded in both cities. People feared the worst as the Japanese neared Australia.
Then one day, Wellingtonians woke up to the sound of church bells ringing across the city. American warships and transports loaded with US Marines were sailing through the heads. When you consider the bloody sacrifice that was to come, I feel a sense of sadness at the ignorance and ingratitude of the “Peace” flotilla. Brian Rudman’s superficial, catlaced column on Gareth Morgan’s move into politics was both lightweight and predictable. But his use of the term “rich men and their vanity parties” was an undeserved put down of the classic NZ tall poppy variety. Morgan’s career as an economist and the powerful track record of work done by the Morgan Foundation on relevant subjects like the Treaty of Waitangi and cleaning up our rivers mean we should take his initiative seriously.
Unlike Brian Rudman, I rate his chances. All power to him.
A quick word
Your correspondent Anne Wills questions the intelligence of half the American voters. Presumably if Clinton had won, it would have been the people’s voice. Trump’s win was a rejection of that sort of arrogance. Objecting to a candidate on the grounds of their personal prejudices and bigotry is a luxury afforded to voters with a secure job and roof over their heads. Clearly, the rest of us want change and don’t care who brings it. If the Greens in the US had not put up a candidate for president, Clinton would have won. Now the local Greens lack the grace to congratulate the winner. Oh the irony. There is a significant difference in my approach to that of Kevin Port (“Liberal left in major disconnect”). I may not agree with someone’s decision to “dress like a whore” or “get drunk in public” but I still choose to treat them with respect. How can President- elect Donald Trump keep to his promise of helping every American citizen to achieve their dreams when he has just deprived Hillary Clinton et al of theirs? Make America Vote Again. Originally, the TPP was an agreement between New Zealand, Brunei, Singapore and Chile. Over time, eight others joined, including the US. Why is it that once the US decides to pull out, it is considered dead? L. F. Jones, Te Atatu Peninsula. Kind of related to weird hair on heads of state is the local spectacle. The Barrys, as in Kevin and Hilary. Do they by chance go to the same hairdresser? Congratulations to TV One on their choice for Seven Sharp this week, a man who has his jacket fastened and the female not constantly giggling. What do frightened Americans expect when moving to New Zealand? We too have a self- made- millionaire as Prime Minister with a weird attitude towards women. The only difference is our PM prefers ponytails. I hope the protesters about the visit of an American warship realise the USA saved us in 1945. Welcome them as you should and keep your boats away.