I knew when Luxon (ex Air New Zealand CEO) entered Parliament that he would be pushed forward early. The simple-minded National executive, who realise that they have no depth in candidates to call on, and who wish that they had a John Key clone would try to make him the saviour.
This post isn't about Chris Luxon or most of the new shadow cabinet. There are much better writers and commentators than me who will carefully dissect and analyse it. No, this is about Chris Bishop who once was the shadow leader of the House and behind behind (kissing her bum) Judith Collins.
His toadying was embarrassing to witness.
In the new shadow line-up Bishop has been given back the position as shadow leader of the House that Crusher took off him. He is ranked at number four in National's shadow line-up but no doubt that won't stop him creeping around Luxon, yesmanning him at every opportunity.
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| Pucker up Chris |
Bishop is a list MP for National now and before he lost his seat in the general election was MP for the Hutt South electorate. No doubt Robert still loves him.
13 comments:
I did a gig at the Nuona Lazio art exhibition and Chris came up and complimented the trio on the music. Us musos are suckers for compliments, though I would never vote National.
Never ever.
Were you playing Creep by Radiohead? It's a great song.
Well if you click on the link you'd see that it is Creep by Radiohead.
Oh. I see Robert. You directed that question to Richard. It would have been perfect if Bishop complimented Richard on his playing 'Creep'.
I don't know the tune. I was probably playing Take The 'A' Train.
So, why are we taking the A Train, why are we going to Harlem, and why are we in such a hurry to get there?...
Happy Black History Month!
We're not just going to Harlem, today, we're going to Sugar Hill. Sugar Hill in Harlem, New York was the mythic hub of the Harlem Renaissance which took place between the two World Wars. Sugar Hill was the ritziest, fanciest African-American neighborhood in the whole United States. It wasn't just the place where Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn lived. No...Sugar Hill was "the good life."
During the early 20th century, Harlem was "en vogue". For many decades prior to the 1920's and 1930's, African-Americans from all over the country dreamed of living here. There were stately homes and apartments to live in, and the entire area had its own uptown, high-society quality about it, which is what gave way to the name 'Sugar Hill'. The 'Sugar' part refers to money and the sweet life.
As for the 'Hill', the Sugar Hill neighborhood is actually part of the Hamilton Heights, and sits on a bluff above the Harlem Plain. More specifically, it extends westward from Edgecomb to Amsterdam Avenues. The southern boundary is typically placed at W. 145th St. The heart of Sugar Hill, however, is found between 144th and 155th streets.
The area attracted many African-Americans who would later become famous; their fame and notoriety would aid in the advancement of colored people and open many doors for future generations. In these few short blocks lived:
~Civil rights activists - W.E.B. Du Bois, Walter White, Roy Wilkins, and the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Sr.
~Literary authors - Langston Hughes, Ralph Ellison, and Zora Neale Hurston
~Musicians - Cab Calloway and Paul Robeson
~Politicians - Thurgood Marshall
As the term suggests, the Harlem Renaissance was the rebirth of discovery, learning, and expansion for people of color, and Sugar Hill was the heart of it all. This new movement sparked change in urban centers from far and wide. This upswing taught intellectuals and artists alike to find new ways to explore the historical experiences of black America and black life in the urban North. Virtually no subject was left unexplored. This revolution took place across the cultural spectrum, appealing not only to performance artists (dance, literature, drama, visual art, music) but also to students of social thought (philosophy and sociology).
Some might say that this Harlem Renaissance was part of the original spark that caused the Civil Rights Movement. Following so closely on the coattails of the single greatest issue of the Civil War, the Harlem Renaissance allowed black Americans to focus on their past, as well as develop for themselves a unique identity for their future - a culture within a culture. This rebirth brought the people close to their roots, but also fostered the emergence of a new culture within America, hence the term "African-American". The residents of Sugar Hill would be a beacon to the rest of black America that the old European racist, paternalistic way was no longer acceptable. However, the Harlem Renaissance was not a time of hostility and violence. Instead, it urged dignity, creativity, and exploration of the intellect to help begin to transform us into a diverse but equal society.
I didn't really get that. I know it was copied from somewhere but where was Sugar Hill?
I have faith that this blog will be updated soon.
If the old girl lets me off painting duties then your faith might be rewarded.
I could do a painting series.
Thank you for your interest.
I must learn when to shut up.
I've been to Harlem but don't recall Sugar Hill. Maybe Robert can shed some light on this as he seems to know a lot about it.
I hope you got the painting done.
Well I did to my standards but doubt that they are to The Old Girl's. I expect to have to do some touch-up jobs tomorrow.
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