Hollow accolades

“Too often we honour swagger and bluster and wielders of force; too often we excuse those who are willing to build their own lives on the shattered dreams of others.” ― Robert F. Kennedy

In a Democracy, occasionally true heroes are knighted – recognised for their service, their fortitude and their courage. Edmund Hillary, Peter Blake, Russell Coutts, Dr Susan Bagshaw, Professor Phil Bagshaw (founder of the charity hospital in Christchurch, awarded an NZOM), and Sir Graeme Dingle, are a few examples that immediately spring to mind, but there are many New Zealanders whose stellar achievements were worthy of such an honour. Kiwis recognise such people – and their humility – and consider such awards well-deserved.

But in today’s world, those occupying some of the top roles in government – a government that increasingly looks like a cross between fascism and communism – award themselves with the highest honours. This can tarnish such awards for those who genuinely deserve them – to the point that if some of the most deserving received an invitation to accept such an accolade it may well be declined. Post Haste.

Are such ceremonies now used to increasingly anoint political servants, obedient to off-shore cabals? The ceremony is performed, they are dutifully dubbed — a light touch by sword on either side of the shoulder — congratulations are bestowed, photos are taken, speeches are made before a small circle of approved attendees, followed by murmurs of praise, and then they may retire to enjoy dinner with a select few. Job done.

Do such awards have an increasingly hollow ring?

And, most recently, in the quiet of the night, do some of the politically so-honoured, hear the cry of the New Zealanders they have betrayed through the violation of their human rights? Those many thousands who have been ruined with a lifetime of ill-health for believing the lies of “safe and effective”? That vast number of Kiwis also refused exemptions without a cursory glance, and who are now suffering from a range of serious side effects, such as coronary disease; auto-immune illnesses; neurological impairment; depression; a paralysed body; blinded; maimed; a stroke; haemorrhage, and more. And so many thousands who have subsequently lost their homes, and can no longer support their families as a result?

Do they hear the cry of these wonderful, previously productive and loving Kiwis, as they desperately try to piece together the shattered fragments of their lives, while also being denied compensation or assistance through ACC, and while attending doctors are apparently ordered to deny it is anything to do with an experimental injection, and to falsely tell them instead, it is “all in their heads”?

Are they haunted by their cries?

And what of those who have died? Do they remember the children who died? Did they offer deeply traumatised and grieving parents money to keep quiet? Do they hear the cries of bereaved husbands, wives, parents, sisters, brothers, friends, lovers? And what of those who died alone and who could not say goodbye to their loved-ones because of the suppressive orders? There are many hundreds of bereaved in New Zealand now. You know this.

How do those baubles of office feel to you in the early hours of the morning, when the band has stopped playing? In the quiet of the night as the darkness gathers ever closer, do the medals and the accolades weigh heavily?

Perhaps.

“Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their peers, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change.” ― Robert F. Kennedy

The real heroes over the last three years stand tall in their light as they courageously speak out to warn all New Zealanders. They continue to speak out despite the baying derision of paid-off media, who seek to serve their masters in “government”. A “government” that takes money from those they purport to represent while deserting them and instead appears to swear allegiance to corrupt off-shore cabals, while seeking to actively kill the last vestiges of freedom through the cancellation of genuine voices of dissent.

The heroes though — they continue to stand, unflinching, despite being clothed in nothing but the shining light of truth. And as the storm clouds darken and gather in ever-more threatening menace, as well-earned qualifications are ripped from many of them and their jobs and businesses are lost, along with their savings, their homes and their relationships — they still stand. Ever more tall. The thunder and lightning cannot touch the circle of steady light around them — or even come close — for it is the light of truth that dispels the lies, the deception and the corruption, and reaches into every corner of our soul . . .

These are the heroes among us this day.

I salute each one.

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centres of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” ― Robert F. Kennedy

All images © Mary Hobbs

All my words and definitions are of the hand that wrote this.