Thoughts

 

I have been thinking about the Kenyatta Day celebrations or particularly, the remarks the president made.  For those not in the know, he called some chaps 'pumbavu' that is the Swahili version of idiot or dim wit or fool or stupid whichever you prefer.  This is not the first time he has done this and probably not the last.

 

Called some a fool is not bad, if you think he is a fool that is, and I am of the view that he is entitled to his opinion and if he wants to call others fools he should be ready to be called by the same name.

 

Some chap who thought he had a brain wave, an MP, I think, said that we should excuse him because of his age.  That is pure rubbish.  Is it that old age gives one license to name calling.  That is why I am against placing old age on a pedestal for worship.  Just because you are a bit older, doesn't mean that you be allowed to have you way on everything.  There are exceptions to this which mostly come about due to common sense; everybody knows that giving up a seat in the bus to an old frail lady is the sensible thing to do.  

 

Old age is overrated; the only good thing that I know you get out of it is experience.  After those many years, experience put common sense where it should be, that is, before everything you do.  One of the things I hate most about old age is the accompanying grumpiness, that irritating behaviour, which the offending party is most oblivious to.  The fact that most people have tolerated it in the name of accepting people of advanced age is most shameful.  Some of whom now know that the will most certainly get away with anything hence the 'pumbavu' remarks.

 

That brings me to the second point.  Does anybody know if the president of our beloved republic uses 'pumbavu' terms in private, maybe even in jest?  I'd welcome any correction but if he does then there is no good reason why public use of the same is an unimaginable occurrence.  The chap is human after all.  We can't go about expecting the president to be a saint can we?

 

My thoughts are somewhat opposing each other but what I think is clear is that everybody is capable of name calling ( not a bad thing in itself) but trying to explain or justify that in the name of old age is just too lame.

 

Cheers

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