Don't listen to the haters and wreckers, Verity

Submitted by LJ Holden on 3 January, 2013 - 17:19

In any campaign, you can expect that there will be those that disagree with you. This is natural and a normal part of any public debate. However, there seems to be a certain nasty streak in some of the opponents of a New Zealand head of State, particularly if any mention of the Queen is made. 

This nastiness has come out with Verity Johnson's article in the New Zealand Herald the other day. Not only has the paper only published negative responses to Verity's article (when a number of positive responses have been submitted), but a number of childish responses have appeared from the usual suspects.

Take the response of "Alf Grumble MP". This poor attempt at satire takes issue with Verity's name (irrelevant), original nationality (irrelevant) and age (irrelevant). Clearly, Verity's article struck a nerve. Yet the responses have been far from rational or well thought out. 

What can we in our campaign do in response? Should we try to get our members to send in as many letters to the editor as possible? Or write online comments, or call talkback radio? A number of political scientists argue that letters to the editor, online comments and talkback radio actually have little affect on public opinion. They tend to become exercises in group think, as those positing differing opinions from the majority in a particular forum tend to either stay away or be hounded out. 

As with most things in life, humans tend to seek comfort among those who agree with them (e.g. "Birds of a feather stick together"). Often, this leads to a minority becoming angry and resorting to childish snipes, the aim of which is to disrupt - the phenomenon of trolling. Just look at the anonymous comments on this website.

Of course putting forward the particular viewpoint you believe in is important and I certainly don't think we should shy away from putting forward our views in the forums mentioned above. Yet in the face of such nasty, bitter and angry vitriol, our time is better spent on working to convince those who're on the fence, or lack information. This is the vast majority of the New Zealand public when it comes to the head of State debate - just look at the misunderstanding around Commonwealth membership, or the constant equation of a republic with soley the system of government in the United States.

In other words, don't listen to the haters and wreckers Verity. There's plenty of us who support your position and understand where you're coming from.

Comments

Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous on 4 January, 2013 - 08:10.
Comments suggest bots :) Maybe get some anti-spams? http://drupal.org/project/antispam As for this pickle, I would say ignore the Grumbler's ill thought out provocations on the wisdom that you can't argue with stupid. Time would be better spent circulating more articles such as Verity's. We should make it known that this is not just the opinion of off-center politicking but that of many people from all backgrounds. I'm pleased to read an article by a expat youth - it's a break from stuffy beards whose minds haven't left the house for 30 years. If our collective kiwi consiousness is finally grown up enough to walk on its own, the transfer of the crown would be a fine time to make the break.
LJ Holden's picture
Submitted by LJ Holden on 5 January, 2013 - 10:50.
Anti-Spam is installed but I turned the filter right down to see what would happen, I've now turned it back up again. Thanks for the comment.
Chair, Republican Movement - contact me online or call on +64 27 699 1350
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