Forest & Bird: Hysterical about Nature since 1923
Blogger: Web manager, Mandy Herrick
Key’s remark that there is ‘too much hysteria over mining conservation land’ is laughable, given that now he is pursuing a hysterical witch-hunt to find the government leak
Hysterical. It’s an interesting word, and one that is much-loved by politicians looking to silence an issue.
According to my trusty online dictionary it means ‘uncontrollably emotional’.
Well, that’s synonymous with passionate isn’t it? But then, passion doesn’t feature prominently in politics – it’s all hardened reason, cool economic logic and hard-boiled facts. Ahem.
Compared to its more positive cousin – passion – however, the word hysteria comes loaded with rather sinister historical roots.
Derived from the Latin word hystericus ‘of the womb’, the word was used to refer to a physical ailment that came from the womb which caused women to be irrational.
Back in the day, Roman Catholics used it to gag and marginalise women. Thousands of women were tortured and burnt as witches because they showed signs of hysteria.
Of course, it now no longer refers to an ailment suffered by women but its effect is the same – to discount the statements or the opinions of a person, organisation or group.
Unfortunately for Key using this particular word has backfired royally And rather than silence the media, it’s whipped up a minefield of unwanted media, and from some rather surprising corners.
- Hysteria over mining just scratched the surface – John Armstrong column, NZ Herald
- Mining leak hysteria – Scoop
- Hysteria in the government over mining – The Standard
- Hysteria becomes policy – No Right Turn
In some situations hysteria however is a natural emotion. It’s to be expected and, such is the case with our response to the mining issue.
We are consummate nature lovers. We are nature’s voice. It’s our job to get speak up on when our wild places and wild creatures are threatened.
To see our government invite foreign-owned mining companies with their diggers and their trucks to tear through this conservation land leaves us with the feeling of being physically wounded.
We’ve fought so hard to protect these areas and establish these national parks ( 12 years for Paparoa alone) – it would be unthinkable to lose them.
So yes, Mr Key, we are guilty as charged. We’re hysterical about nature.
