blogging it real

So, compassionate conservatism now is it? Beats National's short-lived attempt to brand itself in terms of "radical conservatism" circa 2000. A Herald report at the time (not online) noted that one Jenny Shipley was successfully ridiculed in Parliament for trying to adopt that label, following what must have been an awful scene at a Napier conference in which "she was piped in to the Wild Thing tune."

In any case the now little-lamented Jim Sutton pointed out for the benefit of the House that "Jenny Shipley was not the first to declare herself a radical conservative, even though she said it was her own creation":

She shared the label with some of America's ultra-conservative, anti-gay, anti-abortion and pro-gun rednecks who supported the total decriminalisation of drugs. [Editor's note: what's wrong with that last bit?]

The political principles of a fellow radical conservative on the Net were reported by Mr Sutton: "The pro-gun radical organisation's site describes gun control as the first act of tyranny.

"The organisation's founder - that's the one in the United States - describes himself as a hard-rocking heterosexual male who is a life member of the National Rifle Association.

"He says: 'I fervently support the death penalty and prayer in school. I believe homosexuality is a sin and a choice'."

The best came last.

"'I also believe you do not have the right to burn an American flag and if you do, I reserve the right to express my freedom of expression by making you a patient in a critical-care unit'."

Mr Sutton's verdict: "This is the kind of soft face of National for the 21st century."

Abraham Lincoln had also been intrigued by the meaning of conservatism. Was it not adherence to the old and tired against the new and untried?

With such a boring image, it was no wonder Mrs Shipley needed Wild Thing.

"Wild thing, you make everything groovy," said Mr Sutton, intoning the lyrics with all the passion of a herd-testing report.

"Wild thing, I think I love you."

Compassionate conservatism too has strong US roots - see one former Governor of Texas running for US President circa 2000. The same buffoon who started an unnecessary war on the basis of a pack of lies apparent to your average 10 year old, created a massive budget deficit, and would be unelectable in almost any country in the world.

Enough already! Over on Public Address, RB reports on an actual visit to the much-maligned McGehan Close in Owairaka (actually part of the Mt Roskill electorate) and an interesting conversation ensues.

Labels: john key, politics