Chris Trotter recently wrote an opinion piece on rightwing blogs - you can read a copy of it here. I think Trotter produces some excellent analysis (and has been particular valuable in challenging many leftwing shibboleths), but occassionally his stuff can be bizarre, and lately it all seems to be a bit strange. Read more below:
Chris Trotter's shift is something the rightwing kiwiblog has also picked up when discussing Trotter's piece on rightwing blogs:
Something has happened to Chris Trotter in the last two to three months. His columns used to be amongst the best in NZ. Everyone from right to left hung off them and he was quoted everywhere. But something seems to have happened to him, and every week he gets more bizarre from supporting corruption so long as National is kept out of office, to this hysterical rant.
I agree. And a friend of mine recently commented in a similar way:
It seems to me Trotter believes there is some great left vs right war happening at the moment, not just in NZ but internationally, and that we all must take a side. For Trotter taking a side means uncritical and sycophantic support of NZ Labour, as well as the demonization of any groups or individuals to the right of Labour. Since the collapse of the Alliance, Trotter is desperate for there to be a mainstream left movement. In the total absence of one, he has gone back home to Labour.
Therefore Trotter takes great offence at labels like 'Liar-bour' - which I actually think is a good term! If Trotter was offended by stuff like the neo-Nazi Redwatch site I would understand and maybe share his grave concern, but I just don't think that rightwing blogs are such a thing to be worried about. And Trotter's whole argument could just easily be turned against anyone outside the mainstream - in fact I notice that his categorisation of the enemy throughout the article is 'political extremists'. He seems to desire a return to the days when 'political extremism' could be contained by the mainstream media and police commanders. I can't see much to agree with there.
