‘Redneck’ talk puts Jones’ credibility in the red

hurried regulations can result in blood racing downwards.

Concurrently, in response to heightened anxieties, blood rushes towards the brain. Continued political focus on methane reduction rather than addressing fossil fuel use, in spite of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s recommendations, causes severe upward blood flow.

These two factors result in blood pooling in the vicinity of the Adam’s apple, creating a florid effect.

Diagnosis is not straightforward as no medical tests are available yet. Doctors seem unaware of the disease but certain members of Parliament have developed an astounding ability to detect the disease from afar with no physical examination.

Occasionally, people misunderstanding some views of farming folk also detect belowchin colouration and glibly identify this condition.

Prognosis is, fortunately, positive. Many sufferers may soon wear neck-scarves, preferably in shades of green, to protect themselves from ‘‘experts’’ using condemning words carelessly to label the ‘‘afflicted’’.

The outcome of the Rufus collumitis outbreak is thankfully not as serious as the measles epidemic. There is a likelihood of decreased trust in leaders and increased gaps between communities in our country.

So, dear reader, if you have followed this far hopefully you realise that I am actually fit and well. But I saw red over comments from Forestry Minister Shane Jones to the peaceful protesters highlighting rural concerns at the recent Wellington march.

My brother and niece were proud to be of that event.

Our red-faced prime minister tried to smooth over her minister’s red flag statement by offering the excuse that he ‘‘didn’t mean all farmers’’, leaving the shocking insinuation that he rudely name-called every one of those 1200 intelligent people on the steps of Parliament buildings.

Jacinda Ardern also tried to sweep it under the red carpet by saying that it wasn’t her problem because Jones is in another political party.

Red rag to bull that one, as this guy wears six hats in the caucus she leads. Ironically, Minister of Regional Economic Development is one of those hats – a role designed to support the enterprises of rural people, not to put them down with derogatory language.

This minister’s credibility is now in the red. Give him a red pencil to rewrite that speech and red light any further offensive remarks.

There are sad inconsistencies here. A racial comment at a cricket match brought an outcry. A man lost his red and white suit when his opinion that women couldn’t be Santa was considered gender insensitive.

Yet calling thousands of agriculture workers ‘‘rednecks’’ raises little fuss.

The dictionary definition of redneck is a noun meaning ‘‘disparaging. Poor uneducated white farm worker’’. Shocking disrespect. It’s a red-herring technique to divert attention from opinions that this guy and others choose not to listen to.

I remain uncertain as to whether I have this illness of redness just above my shoulders. I am certainly not immune to it or to the hurt caused by it.

With no vaccine available we need reliable prophylaxis. A widespread preventative programme is possible by imploring media, politicians and high-profile people to take care with words and attitudes.

It will be a red-letter day when we all learn to concentrate on the issue and not denigrate the person.