APOLOGY TO HH – A NEW CHAPTER IN POLITICS? In the past, it - TopicsExpress



          

APOLOGY TO HH – A NEW CHAPTER IN POLITICS? In the past, it was unheard of that politicians during an election campaign could apologize for disparaging remarks made against one another. Am sure you may understand when I say the bottom jaw of my mouth dropped as I heard both Guy Scott and the PF SG profusely apologizing to HH and strongly condemned the man who had used the PF pulpit to make some of the most unpalatable remarks ever made by a “man of God”. For many years in this country, we have condemned again and again personal attacks or character assassination during campaigns saying candidates or anyone participating in campaigns should instead attack issues or policy positions. About two thousand years ago, Christ taught us how to hate sin but love the sinner. Communication experts in modern times teach us how to attack an issue without attacking the person presenting the issue. This skill is necessary for the creation of an environment in which people will not be afraid of sharing their views in case they are personally attacked. This skill helps an individual to accept other people despite the difference in opinion. In any case, difference in opinion is what enriches the process of finding solutions to life’s difficult problems. It is my earnest prayer and hope that the apology tended to HH may serve as the foundation of electoral campaigns in Zambia going forward. Too many innocent names have been destroyed in the name of politics; too many well-meaning women and young people have been scared away from participating in politics because we have come to accept unpalatable language as normal forms of political communication. By not condemning this form of campaign language in the past, we have allowed and accepted thuggery in politics and consequently gave the practice a bad name (politics is dirty). The apology to HH comes at an appropriate time – eve of Christmas, a few days before the New Year, a few days before we conclude the country’s jubilee year and a few days before we usher into office a new President! These significant times should give us an opportunity to make significant changes in one of the most important aspects of a nation’s life – politics. Join me in making this pledge: during this Christmas, and others to follow, I pledge not to attack persons but to stick to issues; I pledge the same for the New Year and the next Jubilee! Merry Christmas to you all!
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 07:58:47 +0000

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