'It's an insult!' Backlash against Trump's pick for diplomatic post to New Zealand
HANNAH MARTIN AND ADAM POULOPOULOS
Last updated 05:00, February 19 2017
MIKE SEGAR / REUTERS Scott Brown endorsed president Donald Trump at a pivotal time in the US election campaign.
Scott Brown endorsed president Donald Trump at a pivotal time in the US election campaign.
Donald Trump's pick to be the next United States ambassador to New Zealand has been labelled an "insult".
[...]
The 57-year-old supports torture, posed nude for a photoshoot, and was named as having groped and made sexually inappropriate comments towards former Fox News contributor Andrea Tantaros. Brown denies the allegations.
New Zealanders reacted with surprise and dismay at Brown's possible appointment.
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Islamic Women's Council of New Zealand founding member Nasreen Hannif said Brown's appointment would create fear within the Muslim community that he would share Trump's intolerance towards their religion.
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"Everybody here has a negative image of President Trump and what his policies are.
"(Brown) has a past history of supporting torture, so would not be good to our community.
"Also, being a supporter of Donald Trump will form an impression of him. We don't know what he will be bringing to New Zealand."
Former US intelligence advisor Paul Buchanan said Brown's appointment was an "insult".
"It just shows you what importance we have to the Trump Administration."
Buchanan said Brown's support of waterboarding was "very troubling."
Dr Paul Buchanan, director of 36th Parallel, says Brown is not a good choice to be US ambassador to New Zealand. supplied
Dr Paul Buchanan, director of 36th Parallel, says Brown is not a good choice to be US ambassador to New Zealand.
"For Brown to say he supports these kinds of techniques shows the depths of his ignorance," he said.
Buchanan said that, unlike Brown, he has some knowledge on interrogation techniques, and is certain torture doesn't work.
"It's a punishment, not an effective interrogation technique. Any claims to the contrary are false."
Buchanan said Brown is "not the brightest bulb", and while he could grow into the job, he was "pretty much useless as a Senator."
He said that the Senator's appointment would come as a reward for supporting Trump, because he knows nothing of New Zealand.
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"On the upside, the guy has political experience in the senate, at state level and at federal level ... it could be worse in that respect.
"Most ambassadors who come in and out of Wellington are by and large capable people, so we should give him the benefit of the doubt."
[...]
"After the show was over, Brown snuck up behind Tantaros while she was purchasing lunch and put his hands on her lower waist. She immediately pulled back, telling Brown to 'stop'.
"Tantaros then immediately met with (Fox News co-president Bill) Shine to complain, asking him to ensure that Brown would never be booked on the show again. Shine said that he would talk to Scott. Thereafter, Shine and Scott ignored Tantaros's complaint, and continued to book Brown on Outnumbered."
Tantaros also alleged she rejected the Ailes' advances and was punished by being removed from Fox shows.
Brown has denied the allegations, and the lawsuit is ongoing.
In many ways it would be a culture shock for Brown. One example.
Rotorua locals support Pharmac funding for sanitary products for vulnerable women
By Alice Guy - Rotorua Daily Post 5:37 PM Tuesday Feb 21, 2017
PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES
Some Rotorua women and medical experts say a suggestion to have sanitary products funded by the Government is a great idea because those who can't afford the products are going without.
It was revealed this week that Pharmac, a government funding body, is considering an application to fund the products, with the first step being to determine whether sanitary products such as tampons and pads fall within the boundary of what the agency can fund.
The suggestion has created a lot of feedback on the Rotorua Daily Post Facebook page with a majority of people saying it's a good idea.
However, others said budget brands of sanitary items weren't that expensive and most families should be able to find the money.
John Paul College nurse Cathy Flavell said she had seen a lot of girls who went without.
"A lot of girls don't have them, so unfortunately it comes out of my health and wellness budget," she said.
"There are other things I could be spending that money on, but they can't afford them and I can't say no."
Mrs Flavell said the price was too expensive for some families in Rotorua.
While some girls missed school because they didn't have access to sanitary products, most would come to her instead.
"I have girls come to me who say 'I had to use the last one and mum can't afford more'," she said.
A Rotorua woman who suffers from a chronic illness that requires the daily use of tampons and sanitary pads said funding would be a godsend.
"I hate to think about what I've spent over the past six months," said the woman, who did not want to be named.
"I think also, for other women who live week to week, the funding would help tremendously - every little bit helps. If Pharmac doesn't do it, then I think at least remove the GST."
Ranolf Medical Centre has posted a message of support on its Facebook page that said sanitary products were luxury items for some.
"We think this [funding] would be such a great idea, there are so many families out there that struggle to meet day-to-day basics. And, for some, sanitary products are definitely not basics, they are luxury items," the post said.
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