The hard and fast rules of open intellectual debate demand that a participant stays focused on the topic, demonstrate clear understanding of the other party's point of view, present their areas of disagreement and subsequently explain their point of view. If it seems like a lot of work, it is because it is. For this reason alone, those who feel too weak to do the work turn to irrational thinking, the demonstration of which is demonizing the other party. Any debater who aims to prop their image at the expense of others simply because they hold a view that is at variance with theirs exhibits nothing but ignorance and immaturity of the highest order.
A rational debater will weigh his or her remarks and where they believe their brain would be a weak slave when it came to maintaining consistency in their thoughts and subsequent pronouncements, they use notes. Also, they would develop a technique to default to when they are asked a question about an issue on which they have not had to time to reflect.
A rational debater will weigh his or her remarks and where they believe their brain would be a weak slave when it came to maintaining consistency in their thoughts and subsequent pronouncements, they use notes. Also, they would develop a technique to default to when they are asked a question about an issue on which they have not had to time to reflect.
Today I pay tribute to Mama Inonge Wina for consistently keeping a cool head on contentious national issues. Each time she makes a public statement she appears to have had done her thinking. Her thoughts seem clear and words weighed. She tempers criticism with respect. It is easy for one to see that all her arguments are underpinned by objectivity. Although she may be partisan her quest for reasonableness comes through every word she makes. One cannot help but appreciate her unique political style - it does not struggle, but radiates the supremacy of thought on the Zambian political arena - unique skill of articulation of the issues and concerns of the masses. It is not personal - it is not about VP Kunda, and it is not even about P Banda. It is about work - the degree of legitimacy of the Constitution. She identifies the shortcomings of the review process and then explains why she believes so. That is the epitome of intellectual debate.
Mama Inonge, once again, I confer upon you the crown of a rational thinker.
Zambia needs more people like you.
Kunda’s constitution will be of limited legitimacy - Inonge
By George Chellah The Post Tue 30 Nov. 2010 |
Inonge Wina |
In an interview yesterday, Wina, who is PF national chairperson, said Zambia's history had been dogged by chronic instability in constitution making.
"This is a recipe for conflict in a multiparty democracy. It creates a lot of dissatisfaction among people. People feel this is not their constitution and it’s not part of them," Wina said. "George Kunda's new proposed constitution will unfortunately be a document of very limited legitimacy and will therefore lack authority."
Wina said the amendments to the 1996 constitution announced by Vice-President Kunda fell far short of the people's expectations. She said Zambians wanted the new constitution to address substantive issues such as the Bill of Rights and other fundamental freedoms.
Wina said Zambians were also concerned about the performance of members of parliament hence their submission that non-performing parliamentarians must be recalled.
"People brought about issues of crossing the floor, that it's bringing a lot of by-elections. The issue of the 50 per cent plus one presidential requirement and indeed many fine recommendations from the Mung'omba Constitution Review Commission (CRC), which include matters of gender equality and all these have been left out," she said.
Wina wondered how long Zambia would continue being a nation that specialises in aborting constitution-making initiatives.
She said the current administration had yet again demonstrated its disdain for people's aspirations by ignoring their recommendations. Wina said the government was set to alienate Zambians from the state and its institutions.
"That's why my strong conviction is that this country needs a government that will listen and respect people's aspirations, a government capable of providing a stable solution to the challenges of constitution making," Wina said. "Above all, a government that will create a conducive environment for a much broader consensus. Otherwise, we will continue making piece-meal amendments regarding a very important law of the land and which every subsidiary law of the country depends on."
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