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https://theconversation.com/from-pretty-communist-to-jabcinda-whats-behind-the-vitriol-directed-at-jacinda-ardern-179094>
"With recent polling showing National edging ahead of Labour for the first time
in two years, Jacinda Ardern’s previously strong support has eroded rapidly
since winning a remarkable outright majority at the 2020 general election.
But the dip in electoral fortunes is only part of the story. It’s probably not
an overstatement to say Ardern is presently one of the most reviled people in
Aotearoa New Zealand, attracting vitriol that violates the bounds of normal,
reasoned political debate.
During the recent illegal occupation of parliament grounds, the apparent hatred
was fully evident. There were ludicrous claims the prime minister is a mass
murderer, and demands she be removed from office and executed for “crimes
against humanity”.
Even on the supposedly professional social networking site LinkedIn, false
claims that Ardern is a “tyrant” or “dictator” have been increasingly
commonplace. For those making such claims, factual, constitutional, electoral
and legal realities seemingly hold no weight.
So, what fuels these levels of antagonism? I suggest three factors are at
play."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
