A debate about and item from 1News about the NZ PM, Jacinda Ardern, resigning: "So to Neve, Mum is looking forward to being there when you start school this year. And to Clarke, let's finally get married," she said with a grin.
Me She can see the writing on the wall so wants to get out before she's kicked out. Self-cantered and narcissistic to the end. Who will take over as leader? Not exactly an overabundance of talent there!
Opponent Mysogony [sic] 101 eh Owen!
So instead of trying to refute my comment, the person decided just to go with the simplistic misogyny attack. Any criticism of any female, no matter what they have done, is susceptible to this. It's lazy and dishonest.
Supporter What rubbish. That is as bad as pulling the race card.
Supporter Is it misogyny? I 100% agree with him!
Supporter And me.
So a few people agreed with me, and saw this cheap attack for what it was.
Me So if a female politician does a bad job and I criticise her it's misogyny, but if I do the same for a male politician it's OK?
Supporter Skippy will chomping at the bit.
Opponent Stop being so horrible.
I don't think criticising politicians, especially in a fairly mild way like I did, is horrible at all. All politicians, especially one as divisive as Ardern, should expect this as part of the job.
Opponent Nah, that's the problem you don't think. You follow the right and believe everything will be different with them. It won't, it just won't be reported.
Opponent Except I'm STILL waiting for any actual reasons for these opinions, and it's been years. It's very telling you consider her narcissistic for doing her job, but not any other prime minister for doing the exact same job..
Supporter I agree with him, and I don't follow the right. You can be a lefty and dislike her!
Opponent It's not the dislike that's the problem. It's the misogyny the nasty, personal remarks and the targeting of her partner.
I didn't do that, and I'm fairly sure that isn't common. There might be a few instances of it, but no more than has happened to other leaders.
Supporter I must have missed those comments in this conversation. I was simply responding, because I get sick of everyone making it a left vs right problem! I'm staunch left, and have only ever voted Labour, but after Jacinda, I don't know.
Me Criticism of our so-called leaders is not only allowable, it is necessary!
Supporter Owen Baxter, spot on.
Opponent Pathetic.
Supporter Kelvin Davis... I hope its not grant robertson then I'm turning over to the am show.
Opponent Or she's a mum and a fiance as well as a working professional. You speak as if the next party in is going to make a difference yeah right, your [sic] delusional.
Opponent And now Collins is rising in the LOL. She should have been dropped years ago.
Me Did I say anything good or bad about other parties? I've never voted National.
Opponent You lot are pathetic!! Whatever happens next, won't be a drop in the ocean to what JA's accomplished! Best PM EVER!! <3
There is no doubt she has her supporters, but I've never seen so much negativity as well. That's what I mean about her being divisive.
Supporter Best at what?
Supporter Best at lying and avoiding accountability! That does seem to be the general skill set of a politician, so in that sense, you're right!
Opponent Do you feel the same way about John Key, or is he an alpha male so that excuses him from the same judgement?
Supporter I voted Labour, always have. I would trade Jacinda for John, in a heart beat! And I strongly disliked John Key!
Me I was often very critical of JK and have never voted National.
Opponent This says way more about you than anybody else.
In some ways, it does. It say's that I am not taken in by political propaganda. It says I value objective truth over spin. It say's I am prepared to offer criticism where I think it is appropriate.
Supporter Not really.
Opponent You are pathetic and self centered yourself.
Supporter Heaven help us if its Mahoota the Looter or any other of the Maori caucus.
Opponent In this case... there's actually Zilch! Evidence of any over-abundance of political ability! and talent! within the alternative political parties.. eg the Nats... nil.
Supporter She will have a job lined up to start in a few months.
Opponent So? I think you are supposed to work or do you think she should stay home?
Opponent Did you say the same thing about John Key when he resigned before the election?
Supporter I did.
Me Yes.
Opponent Self-centered and narcissistic... instead of saying these catch phrases... give us some evidence... Owen.
Unfortunately, I didn't see this comment until the debate was over, otherwise I would have listed her failures, and blatant propaganda.
Opponent The great unwashed. I say no more.
Opponent You can.
Opponent Nasty.
Opponent Ungrateful and ungracious only comment necessary.
Opponent Does JA remind you of John Key? he had a so called "Rock Star economy" but still turned his back... AND RAN.
Opponent Yeah, Johnnie was something else.
Me Yes, there was a similar level of BS with JK.
I just don't like (so-called) leaders in any form, and especially not politicians. Looking back at my comments, I was as critical of JK as I was of JA.
Opponent Are you a doctor? Diagnosing people with narcissism.
Me I have a psych degree, but I'm not saying this is a diagnosis, obviously. This is a political discussion on FaceBook FFS!
Ha! Take that! I am in no way competent to diagnose anyone with any psychological condition, but that comment did shut down that person, at least.
Opponent Maybe you have trust issues. She wants to be available physically and also mentally for her daughters 1st day of school. Do u not realise how important those 1st years are. I feel sorry for you.
Me Don't waste your sympathy on me. If you think that is true, good luck to you.
Opponent And if she had stayed, you would have blamed her for not giving anyone else a chance. She is never going to win with the naysayers. Just to be aware, you didn't have to agree with Labours policies, but she didn't make all those decisions by herself. The amount of vitriol aimed at a single person by right wingers has been absolutely disgusting. But bullying is acceptable from that side of the bench, so its not surprising toxic mentalities has seeped into the public.
Opponent 100.
Opponent Sounds like you're talking about yourself mate.
Opponent Abundance of talent? Maybe you should consider standing?
Me Sorry I can't respond to all my fans here. It's just overwhelming. Thanks for your feedback!
Sometimes you get so many comments attacking you it is hard to reply to them all, and Facebook is not a great platform for debates like this (or for anything else, for that matter).
Supporter They'll probably put Kiri Allen or Nanaia Mahuta in and then make some lame statement like "first Maori female prime minister" as if it matters.
Me If they do that they'll just fail even worse than they are going to anyway.
Opponent WE LOVE YOU PRIME MINISTER JACINDA ARDERN. THANK YOU LOVE AND BLESSINGS FR ME AND MY MUM TO YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY <3.
Me Less and less people agree with you. That's why she's going.
Opponent Owen Baxter so who ask you?
Me No one. Who asked you for your opinion? Offering opinions is what the comments section is for.
DEBATE PAGE