Blog challenge – The Standard versus Kiwiblog
(and any others that want to join in)

There’s quite a bit of inter-blog and inter-leaning rivalry, and it’s easy to get sucked down into a whirlpool of negativity. It’s easy for the negatives to overshadow, even overwhelm the good that does happen.

Sometimes it’s worth stepping back and looking at what can be done positively. We all need some positives, and our country needs collective positives.

A positive for me – both Trevor Mallard and Tau Henare replied by email overnight. A number of MPs (Green, NZ First, UF) have responded positively over the last week.

Here’s a challenge to step back and consider Positive Politics, what can be done better in political blogs and in parliament.

I won’t respond or comment in Open Mic today – that may be a positive for some. If there’s anything positive here today I’ll collate and summarise.

Suggestions, pledges, whatever – people here claim The Standard is much better than Kiwiblog, show that it is at least as good. Get positive.

Here is my positive pledge:

I pledge to promote positive discussion and actions, positive politics, and as much as possible work for a more positive political climate and for a better country.

I retain the right to debate robustly, to stand up and speak against what I see as wrong or overly negative, and I acknowledge that sometimes I’ll get grumpy, angry, and may act negatively. But I will work on a positive balance as much as possible.

The best way to get positive outcomes is to act positively, individually and jointly.

I pledge to work as much as possible for positive politics and a more positive New Zealand.

Pete George

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