Dear
paschal thank you for your thread!
I agree with you that it is concerning how a normal supposedly rational human beings can reach to a point of wishing death for their opponents. I am equally appalled by the level of intolerance to opposing views shown by members of this forum and how quickly some resort to vulgar, demeaning, abusive and offensive language instead of reasoned arguments where people differ respectably.
As intellectuals we should ask ourselves the following soul searching questions: -
(i) How did we end up here?
(ii) How did our beloved nation which taught us, as young people, to be civil and call our fellow citizens as relatives "NDUGU" end up with a generation of people that is so angry with their fellow citizens to the extent of wishing them death?
(iv) How did a country that led the independence struggle to enable our neighbors to enjoy the freedom to partake in political activities, to vote and freely express their views end up in the same socio political quagmire that we were trying to get our neighbors from?
To be sincere nowadays political discussions at all levels are not interesting mainly because they lack substance and are overly focused on personal attacks and character assassinations. I know you
paschal are a politician or at least you aspire to be one. I strongly suggest that you use your connections and the power of a pen that you have to propose to your fellow politicians that we need to go back to the basics.
I grew up in an era where it was compulsory to learn politics (Siasa) as a subject from primary school up to form four. Siasa exposed me to the thinking of our political leaders of the time and I find some of their fundamental beliefs to be relevant today. I am of the opinion that we need to re-visit the ten CREEDS of a TANU Member (AHADI 10 ZA MWANA TANU) and use them as our compass in re-defining the political future we want for our kids:
AHADI 10 ZA MWANA TANU:
(i) Binadamu wote ni ndugu zangu na Dunia ni moja
(ii) Nitaitumikia nchi yangu na binadamu wenzangu wote kwa unyenyekevu na moyo wa upendo na huruma
(iii) Nitajitolea nafsi yangu kuondoa umaskini, ujinga, maradhi, na dhuluma hapa nchini na duniani pote
(iv) Rushwa ni adui wa haki, sitatoa wala kupokea rushwa
(v) Cheo ni dhamana sitakitumia cheo changu wala cha mtu mwingine kwa faida yangu
(vi) Nitajielimisha kwa kadiri ya uwezo wangu na kuitumia elimu kwa faida ya wote
(vii) Nitashirikiana na wenzangu wote kuijenga nchi yetu na dunia yenye haki na amani
(viii) Nitasema kweli daima, fitina kwangu mwiko.
(ix) Nitakuwa raia mwema wa Tanzania, Afrika na Dunia nzima
(x) Nitakuwa mtii kwa Rais na Serikali ya Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania
I am not sure how many politicians in the ruling party these days understand and practice these 10 creeds that the founders of our nation crafted. In fact the 10 creeds had a very global outlook that we seem to struggle with nowadays.
Tata - Omoghaka Wi Chinsiku