Chasing the dots … Adapt or Fry (or Lie)!

I AM never sure whether to be sad or mad when those granted public trust either through the ballot box or profession show gross ignorance or insincerity by mocking the principles of their calling. Recently there were two glaring examples; one on NBC Parliamentary Forum (18hr40, 23/07/09), the other in this newspaper (27/07/09, page 3).

Both items are indicative that our hard won democracy is becoming functionally constipated through the growing arrogance and ignorance of the chosen few. Why? While our fledgling democracy inevitably started with an educational deficit due to the past, 20 years on, it is evident that some of our ‘respected’ have done little to improve.The NBC item showed a DepMin stumbling badly over his speech, seemingly written by others and read unprepared. His inability to articulate the word ‘amnesia’ was quite forgettable but he followed this with a series of statistics that for those with a simple appreciation of arithmetic, were inaccurately calculated; even worse, he undersold his own case! Nobody in the assembly picked him up. Quality remains subordinate to political compliance?The Namibian article indicates a much respected ‘legal eagle’ in an ongoing case of alleged organised crime suggesting as a personal (not legal?) opinion that the size of the ‘graft’ relating to the amount of effort expended is not relevant; big or small. The crime is the same! Technically probably true, but does put an interesting light on jurisprudence! It suggests that ‘big fish’ and ‘little fish’ should be treated equally and ignores the reality that the former, who have access to the big piles of dosh through position, are not guilty of a greater crime. Breach of trust is an absolute and hence indivisible. Really!Both these examples are small in the overall game but, I suggest significant in the wider scene of derogation of democratic process. Why? Mushrooming complexity, globalisation and technological advance places growing loads on leaders and their cohorts and requires increasing levels of education, specialisation and trust in ‘experts’. The financial crisis has shown regulatory, executive and legislative bodies entrusted with sustaining orderly society are being out-played by both the high-tech geeks and the impact of communications systems interacting with the multitudes. Governments worldwide are losing control especially as populations move to cities (50% of the world live in large cities) and their reactions are similar. More and more draconian restraints justified by ‘Crisis Management’.Terrorism is a good starter. 9/11 and 7/7 put governments into a spin; they ‘had’ to do something. So there was the Patriot Act (US), a ’90 day detention’ proposal (UK) – remember Apartheid?, and now little Namibia with its ‘Spy Law’. (Software suppliers have a back door?) All actions geared to demonise the moderate. No wonder terrorism is a growth business. Even Afghanistan, where the main problem is poppies and drugs being sent to the powerful nations! Their solution, blow up the people. Why not just buy the drugs; it would be cheaper, work and give stability.Or the Environment? Which is really an energy, resource and population problem. Begging bowls are out but the real solution is for the world population to shrink and use less; a cheap but difficult option. Will governments address this in Copenhagen? No, they will wait for mans’ normal solution, a massive war or epidemic. Sad. But then democratic decision is based on votes and retention of power. Not doing what is right.Conformity, short termism and indecision will rule; governments will lie and, ultimately, the world will fry. One way or the other! Have a nice day.csmith@mweb.com.na