Blogosphere manners and politicians

Well, the whole "How to behave in blogosphere" ruckus is still going on, and is getting a bit much.

However I did like Wired's reference to Civility. Go on, follow the Wikipedia link, it's a very interesting read and leads me to another, more local rant.

I think we all understand what is meant by civility, but it's rather important to note that it's an important mechanism regarding governing a democratic populace.

Which makes the irony of Jacob Zuma's recent actions all that more sweet. Now he's not alone, I've personally experienced it a number of times here in Johannesburg. The speed crazed lunatic version (180+km/h) is the most dangerous in my opinion, but that doesn't make their arrogant "get out of my way, I don't care if you have to climb the pavement" cousins any less annoying and threatening.

These "above the law" government officials are a clear indication of where our young democracy is headed. Perhaps they would do well to read the bit about Socrates, and how, even though he disagreed, he remained true to the law and drank the hemlock.

The lesson of Cincinnatus, also referred to in the article, is also relevant and should be noted by our political leaders, but that's a whole other rant.