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Government says lack of training and specialization in financial and economic reporting amongst journalists in Zambia have impacted negatively on the dissemination of factual information on statistics and figures to the public.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Dora Siliya has observed that business and economic reporting has remained under-developed in the country due to lack of training and specialization in financial and economic reporting amongst journalists.
Ms Siliya noted that most journalists do not make any efforts to add value to their stories by analyzing the underlying facts and factors beyond the figures and statistics provided.
She said this has resulted in shallow and half-backed information being fed to the public.
Ms Siliya added that the media have more appetite for political issues, at the expense and exclusion of more urgent and important issues of the economy that are pertinent to the public.
She said this in speech read for her by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services, Acting Human Resources Director, Derrick Wina at the awards presentation ceremony of ABSA Data Journalism Masterclass held at Hilton Gardens Hotel in Lusaka.
The Minister commended ABSA and its partners, Rhodes University for building the capacities of the Business and Sports journalists which she said is in line with government’s agenda to grow a highly skilled and professional media that contributes effectively to the national development.
And Barclays Bank Head of Marketing and Corporate relations Mato Shimabale disclosed that the bank has been in the last 5 years sending two Zambian journalists each year on a fully sponsored trip to South Africa to attend the Highway Africa Conference.
Mr Shimabale disclosed that the rebranding of Barclays Bank to ABSA is expected to be concluded by June 2020 adding that most of the Automated Teller Machines in Zambia are slowly being changed in readiness for the transition.
Here is a wrap October engagements involving Zambia’s 2021 AFCON qualifiers and U23 AFCON opponents.
BOTSWANA
Zambia 2021 AFCON Group H opponents Botswana were in Cairo on Monday where they lost 1-0 to Egypt in a friendly.
Botswana were using the game to prepare for their opening Group H qualifier against Zimbabwe and Algeria.
ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe did not have any friendly arranged ahead of their November dates against Botswana and Chipolopolo .
ALGERIA
Zambia’s first Group H opponents away on November 14 Algeria played two friendly games during the October FIFA break.
The African champions first match was on October 10 at home where they drew 1-1 against DR Congo.
Algeria wrapped up their friendly dates with a 3-0 away win over Colombia on October 15 in France.
SOUTH AFRICA
Zambia u23’s 2019 U23 AFCON Group B opponents South Africa were in Egypt during the October FIFA break to play two friendly’s against their hosts.
South Africa drew the first match 1-1 on Friday but lost 1-0 in game two on Sunday.
Chipolopolo coach Aggrey Chiyangi says South African-born new call-up goalkeeper Mwenya Chibwe has potential.
The 25 –year-old goalkeeper from South Africa PSL club Polokwane City made his Chipolopolo debut on October 13 in a friendly match away against Benin that finished 2-2 in Cotonou.
Chibwe came on in the 79th minute for Sebastian Mwange with Zambia leading 2-1 at that point.
“I think so far from what we have seen, there is a lot of potential,” Chiyangi said.
“We just need more time to be with him so that the goalkeeper coach can assess him properly and see where he is strong or where he is weak so that his weaknesses can be worked on.
“But otherwise from what we saw in him is very good.
“He is going to be part of Chipolopolo but as for being number one, he has to compete and the best player will be there.”
Minister of Tourism and Arts Ronald Chitotela has directed the Police Commissioner for Luapula Province to summon conservationist Nsama Learns over the alleged 80 missing Black Lechwes in Bangweulu Wetlands.
Mr Chitotela said Ms Learns having started the story must provide more information on how the animals were moved from the Wetlands to wherever they have been taken.
He said the conservationist must further provide information on who did the head count to determine that 80 Lechwes were missing.
Mr Chitotela said government and President Edgar Lungu have developed interest in the revelation and more information is needed.
And Mr Chitotela has described the allegations that 80 black Lechwes are missing as propaganda meant to turnish the image of President Edgar Lungu and his government.
He said there are some people that are targeting strong people surrounding President Lungu who they want to push out before they start fighting him.
Yesterday his Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga refuted reports that 80 Black lechwes are missing in Bangweulu Wetlands.
Mr Malupenga called on Ms Nsama Learns who raised alarm that the animals were captured from the Bangwelu Wetlands during the banned exercise to help the police and other investigative wings with facts on what she knows about the ‘missing’ animals.
He said the truth of the matter is that former Minister Charles Banda, then Minister of Tourism and Arts in March 2019 did issue a capture permit for 50 Black Lechwe to Langani Game Ranch in Kazungulula and 30 Black Lechwe to Kwisoko Game Farm in Lusaka.
The PS said following the authorization, the animals were captured and translocated to the two farms on 10th September 2019.
It is clear that the PF had a well orchestrated plan, and approved by their leaders, to attack the UPND mourners, who of course were at their most vulnerable point because of the situation on their hands of mourning a loved one.
This writer proposes that the Police where very much part of this orchestration and knew exactly what would happen, when and where.
It must be appreciated that the PF camp had no reason and no business whatsoever, to mobilize themselves on this particular day, had no reason to march across Lusaka town, and had no reason to clash with UPND mourners. PF had no political function anywhere in the City yesterday, how would they suddenly spring out from nowhere unless they was a prior well laid out plan to ambush the mourners.
The funeral home of late Lawrence Banda was attacked, looted and ransacked while the mourners were at the graveyard. Ben Bella Road was sealed by hundreds of panga wielding PF cadres waiting for the return of the mourners, and Police did not intervene whatsoever, why?
Once this is appreciated, one quickly asks why the Police did not act to disperse these machete wielding cadres because it was part of bigger plan
It is quite shocking to actually hear some leaders of the Patriotic Front, like madam Mumbi Phiri, complaining about how her “boys” were attacked without her actually saying what her boys were doing in a UPND procession in the first place. What were they doing in Cairo and Ben Bella Roads? Was there a PF rally or carnival yesterday? Was there a Police permit for a PF presence in the streets yesterday?
We have seen this before, and the Madam, Mumbi Phiri, somehow is always at the centre of this all the time.
In Kaoma, Mrs Phiri was in the forefront. At the funeral of Clance Zulu where mourners were hacked Mrs Phiri was present and watched everything unfold as a matter other accounts say she was the one commanding it. At Grazier Matapa’s funeral, again Mumbi Phiri was in the forefront.
The violence by the PF cadres seems to carry special blessings from somewhere above otherwise how would they suddenly appear from nowhere at short notice in their hundreds and start closing roads under the nose of the Police?
We therefore wish to advise our Police service, who swear to serve and to protect, to stop bending to unlawful instructions and uphold nothing but the law and order as professionally as possible. Being part of such programs will not hurt anyone but the entire country they wish to serve and to protect.
If this goes unchecked, the Police will have nothing to protect and will remain subjects to the orders of PF cadres. Let them uphold the rule of law and apply law enforcement freely and fairly because there seems to be a silent civil war going on here.
Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary Bishop Dr. Eddie Chomba at at a meeting with Street Vendors
The government has said that it will not allow any law enforcement officers to harass street vendors and marketers as long as they trade in an organized manner.
Ministry of Local Government Permanent Secretary Bishop Dr. Eddie Chomba has observed that despite government reserving certain routines for vendors and marketeers in Central Business Districts most of them have continued trading in an uncoordinated manner.
Dr. Chomba stated that some businesses are lucrative for Zambians but as long as they continue conducting their businesses in an uncoordinated manner they risk being in conflict with the law, a move he said can be avoided.
He has since urged market managers countrywide to ensure that those trading in reserved routes conduct their businesses in an orderly manner.
“Market managers should start doing the right thing and ensure that everyone follows orders.” Dr. Chomba stated.
He stated that despite their businesses being lucrative, Marketeers and street vendors risk losing most of their clientele if they trade disorderly.
“Stop Chasing people who are buyers due to disorderliness, buyers should follow you, but they can’t follow you if you go near drainages.” Dr. Chomba added.
Dr. Chomba further stated that marketeers and street vendors ought to dignify themselves if they are to get the most out of their businesses.
“This is not even a political statement, this is not to appease anybody. We need to dignify our selves,” he said.
Dr. Chomba was speaking when he listened and spoke to street vendors and marketeers at Nakatindi hall at the Lusaka’s Civic center.
He has since confirmed his availability for the traders to hear their challenges and how best to go about them.
The street vendors and marketeers at Nakatindi hall at a meeting with Government
A Mansa based educationist has called on Government to evenly redistribute teachers among urban, peri-urban and rural areas if the pupil to teacher ratio is to effectively be attained.
And Government has been commended for introducing revised curriculum and local language teaching phonetics meant to effectively impart reading skills and knowledge among young learners.
Sun Riverside School Proprietor and Head Chishimba Mutale in an interview yesterday said authorities must balance the distribution of teachers with respect to demand for their services in various areas.
The biggest challenge for public schools has been the crowding of teachers in peri-urban and urban areas against the service to rural areas which equally deserve and need teachers, Mr. Mutale noted.
“Government has over the years heavily invested in the education sector through infrastructural growth in the form of learning facilities it is building, recruitment of teachers and provision of learning materials,” he said.
He said the uneven distribution in the education sector equally extends to learning facilities constructed but added with the non-availability of learners from the respective area.
“We have witnessed a similar situation in some areas or schools where some schools have 110 or 70 pupils in one class and on the other end of it all, only 12 or so pupils would be in class,” he said.
Mr Mutale has also hailed government for its commitment to providing education for all through syllabus revision, school fees reductions and creating an enabling environment for private educators to complement its efforts in the sector.
He said the quest to provide quality education is a cause that needs the support of all and not left for the government to undertake alone.
“A good example is a local language phonetic syllabus introduction which is now making pupils effectively know how to read even before they learn English and this will ease their understanding of complexity in various topics they are taught as they academically progress,” he said.
Mr. Mutale observed that there is a need for the education system to now strengthen the ability to derive practical solutions or innovations from the locally educated citizenry in fields of engineering, science and entrepreneurship excellence as a lot of learners are educated through it.
The Examinations Council of Zambia (ECZ) has opened its fifth service centre in Chipata District to cater for the correction, verification and combination of examination results.
Speaking when Eastern Province Education Officer (PEO) Dr Allan Lingambe toured the facility housed at Hillside Girls Secondary School, ECZ Assistant Director for Certification, Kunda Kuku said the Council has decentralised its operations in order to effectively service the public.
He said the move will help de-congest the Lusaka offices and most importantly draw services closer to the public, unlike in the past where all services were only offered in Lusaka.
Mr Kuku added that the Chipata Service Centre, like other centres opened so far, is systematically connected to Lusaka and will be fully executing the duties of the Examinations Council locally.
And Dr Lingambe has commended ECZ for decentralising its operations, saying his office used to receive many cases from the public to forward to Lusaka.
He said the move will also relieve members of the public from the trouble of travelling to Lusaka to have their examination cases resolved.
Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD) President Dr. Nevers Sekwila Mumba has accused the church of being complicit to Political Violence for not participating in the political affairs of the Country.
Dr. Mumba who is also a clergy was addressing congregants at the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) in Matero, said that the Political Violence being experienced doesn’t befit a Christian Nation.
“In 1991, my party the MMD through President Chiluba declared Zambia a Christian Nation. This was not done because a few of us in the MMD were Christians but because the majority of Zambians were and are Christians. Political Violence and Corruption just to mention a few are Un-Christian. The killing in Kaoma was clearly Un-Christian and should be condemned by all Christians”, Dr. Mumba said.
Dr. Mumba called upon the church to enter the Political arena.
“I would like to take this opportunity to call upon the church to actively participate in the running of the affairs of the Country. There are a number of ways in which this can be done which include encouraging and supporting its members to run for public office and also take to task the incumbent political players”, Dr. Mumba said.
He said the church must take a deliberate step to train its membership and encourage them to vie for political office.
Dr. Mumba then stated that the Church was guilty of allowing the escalation of Political Violence because they have stayed away from politics and they have not taken the political players to the task.
“The church has godly values which it can use to promote good governance. Some of these include Integrity, Morality and the fear of God. As long as the Church doesn’t encourage and support it’s members for public office, these important values will not see the public office. What we will continue seeing is Political violence and corruption. The Political Violence which includes the Kaoma killing is because the Church and it’s members have left the running of this country to unbelievers. So it is right to blame the church of tolerating this violence because they have refused to stand up to the challenge”, Dr. Mumba said.
Deputy Inspector General of Police for Administration, Eugene Sibote
Police in Lusaka have apprehended 11 male suspects for being in possession of offensive weapons. Deputy Inspector General of Police – Administration Eugene Sibote has said that the 11 were apprehended after a tip-off from concerned members of the public in Lusaka’s Chalala area.
Mr. Sibote said that the suspects were found in possession of 55 machetes, 6 teasers, 17 walkie talkies and 29 boxes of registration forms for Leadership Movement Party.
Addressing the media in Lusaka today, Mr. Sibote said the suspects were also found with 7 black berets, 13 black shot buttons and 11 pairs of black combat uniforms labeled LM.
Mr. Sibote said the suspects are detained in police custody for being in possession of offensive articles.
He said further investigations have continued over the matter to establish the motives of the group.
Mr. Sibote stated that in the interest of peace, the Police Command is considering making a strong recommendation for the deregistration of organizations such as the Leadership movement if investigations establish that the group had the blessings of the supposed political party.
And Mr. Sibote has expressed concern over a statement circulating on social media purported to have been issued by UPND Deputy National Youth Chairperson Gilbert Liswaniso under the headline “PF and Police should remove PF thugs from bus stops and markets b
Wednesday”.
He said the Police deems the statement to be in bad taste and has the potential to incite violence.
Mr. Sibote has directed all police officers to be on high alert and firmly deal with those who may decide to participate in such disorderly activities.
Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga
Ministry of Tourism and Arts has refuted reports that 80 black Lechwes are missing in Bangweulu Wetlands.
Tourism and Arts Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga disclosed that former Tourism Minister Charles Banda in March 2019 issued a capture permit for 50 Black Lechwe to Langani Game Ranch in Kazungula and 30 Black Lechwe to Kwisoko Game Farm in Lusaka.
Mr. Malupenga notes that the animals were captured and translocated to the two farms on September 10, 2019 following the authorization.
The PS says the Department of National Parks and Wildlife’s Research and Veterinary Unit had earlier carried out an ecological assessment at these establishments to ensure that they were habitable by the species.
Socialist Party interim General Secretary Cosmas Dr Musumali
Socialist Forum Ghana recently organized a Public Lecture on Zambia to solidarise with the people of Zambia.
The lecture was delivered by Dr Cosmos Musumali, General Secretary of the Socialist Forum of Zambia (SFZ) on the topic ‘Socialism and the reality in Zambia.’
Dr Musumali brought up the many issues that troubled Zambia and its people over the past years.
He stated for instance that the Zambia was currently in a capitalist rule and suffering with high levels of poverty.
Dr Musumali added that there were massive gaps within the classes of people in Zambia with many of its government officials having anti-socialism values.
“And with most of the political parties in the country having a capitalist mind-set, the future of Zambia is very much in doubt,” he added.
Dr Musumali noted that the SFZ had compiled various inconsistencies and issues facing the country as well as recommendations to revamp the economy and presented it to government officials but were yet to see any action.
He stated that foreign organisations had made reference to the declining state of the country but government officials were yet to respond to those issues.
Dr Musumali disclosed that citizens with degrees and masters were unable to secure jobs and due to government policies, companies hire and dismiss workers without following the labour laws of the country.
“Businessmen and consultants are titles being used to describe the unemployed to spur them to become entrepreneurs as they are unable to secure jobs,” he added.
Dr Musumali describing the worsening state of Zambia noted that capitalism was a major factor to the declining state of his country and prayed for international aid to pressure Zambia’s government to care and provide for its citizens.
He expressed his dismay at how more than 70 per cent of the population was engaged in agriculture yet the sector contributed only four per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), adding that, the Zambian government being the largest buyer of agricultural produce, would buy from the farmers at low prices and sell to foreign countries at a higher cost.
Dr Musumali called on African country leaders to plead with the leaders in Zambia to consider the future of Zambia and its people before taking decisions.
The lecture was part of the SFGs ‘Wednesday Palava’ programme and was attended by members of SFG and a member of the Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party (SRWP) Jonis Ghedi Alasow and Andeli Zeto of the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa.
Transport and Comunications Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya speaking at the launch of Velocity in Lusaka
Transport and Communications Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya has challenged the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Agency to start sanctioning mobile phone service providers that are providing below par services.Mr Kafwaya said ZICTA should start getting tough on service providers that flout standard of service guidelines.
He said government is interested in seeing a fully developed ICT industry in Zambia that meets customer expectations.Mr Kafwaya was speaking Monday evening when he officiated at the launch of Velocity, the country’s first unlimited broadband internet offer which is powered by Zamtel.He commended Zamtel for always launching innovative products which he said help meet government’s goal of universal access to ICTs.Mr Kafwaya said government is pushing the universal access to ICT agenda by putting up infrastructure that increases access to ICTs especially in underserved and unserved areas.
He said so far 550 of the 1009 communication towers under Phase II of the GRZ Communication Tower Project are functional.
“Government’s driving agenda for universal access for ICT for all Zambians is firmly anchored in the Seventh National Development Plan and Vision 2030 which places emphasis on access to ICT’s for all citizens,” he said.
Mr Kafwaya said Government is committed to providing enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the ICT sector saying this is why his ministry engages with various stakeholders to engage on policy and reforms.
And Zamtel Chief Executive Officer Sydney Mupeta said Velocity is the answer to customer’s complaints about depletion of data and slow internet.
Mr Mupeta said Zamtel is optimistic about the growth of online use and that it will continue to invest more in the network to better serve the customer.
“Velocity is a response to a growing number of customers that need always-on high speed internet in their homes and offices thereby enhancing convenience.It is a gateway to a world of endless possibilities, whether its social networking, music and video streaming or simply online research. We believe this is a product that will transform our customer’s lives at affordable costs,” said Mr. Mupeta.
Mr Mupeta said Zamtel is very optimistic about the growth of online use and that it will continue to invest more in the network to better serve the customer.
“The internet has now become more than a necessity and its access must be at anybody’s convenience. This is what Velocity is bringing to the market by giving uncapped internet. Our Home packages enables families to access the internet in the comfort of their homes, allowing for more quality family time.”
Meanwhile, Velocity Team Leader James Earle said Velocity will be offering the most affordable unlimited wireless internet on the market.
“I am sure we all have experienced, at one point or another, the inconvenience of having your data depleted whilst you are in the middle of a critical assignment or watching an entertaining movie. With the launch of Velocity such experiences will be a thing of the past as it will offer unlimited wireless internet at very competitive price plans,” Mr Earle said.
Velocity’s Wi-Fi to the Home (WTTx) brand which offers unlimited internet using LTE wireless technology means that homes in areas not yet wired for fibre can receive high-speed broadband using Routers or WiFi.
The biggest benefit, aside from being affordable is that one does not have to wait for fibre to arrive in a specific area to access Velocity.
Velocity requires only a router and a SIM card to give multiple users of up to 32 within the home or office instant connectivity to high speed internet.
Customers can choose from a range of five price plans, starting at K349 per month as entry level option offering 3Mbps to the Unlimited Ultra package which offers 20Mbps at K1,650.
Transport and Comunications Minister Mutotwe Kafwaya displays a Router given to him as a gift at the launch of Velocity as Zamtel CEO Sydney Mupeta cheers on
The President says some of the notable Indian Companies that have significantly contributed to Zambia ‘s economic gains are TAJ Pamodzi Hotel, Bharti Airtel and Indo-Zambia Bank.
President Lungu was speaking in Lusaka this evening during the Regional Conclave on India -Southern Africa Project Partnership.
The President is optimistic that the Conclave will boost investment and commercial ties between Indian and Southern African countries.
He said the Zambian government has prioritised infrastructure development especially in the Road Sector as one of the measures to attract investment in various economic sectors.
At the same function, Commerce Minister Christopher Yaluma said there is an increase in the number of Indians prospecting to invest in Zambia since President Edgar Lungu’s visit to that country two months ago.
And India’s Minister of State and External Affairs Vellamvelly Muraleedharan praised President Lungu for having wooed Indian investors to Zambia during his recent presence in India.
The Regional Conclave on India -Southern Africa Project Partnership is the first of its kind in Southern Africa.
The Conclave has attracted over one hundred Private Sector representatives among Chamber of Commerce and Industries in the SADC Region and more than 50 potential Indian Investors.
Former inspector General of Police- Dr Martin Malama
Kanchibiya Member of Parliament Hon. Martin Malama’s demand that HH denounces the African Liberal Network is part of the PF horrendous and shameful propaganda. We are a democratic nation, and the UPND’s association with the Africa Liberal Network is protected under the freedom of association. Regardless, why should the PF determine who HH associates with?
Hon. Malama’s private member motion seeking the ban on political parties and organizations that endorse Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights in Zambia is part of the PF hymn of homosexualizing the UPND leader; a major political challenger to President Lungu and Hon. Malama’s job ending Party. It is not by coincidence that Hon. Malama’s motion followed President Lungu’s denunciation of homosexuality as against Zambian and Christian values. HH joined the anti-gay hype, but little did he realize that, to the PF, his statement was useless. With things against PF, homosexualizing the 2021 elections would present the corrupt and inept Lungu administration as a Christian Party in contrasts to the UPND, which is liberal—thus gay supporting party. To the overt religious electorate, this contrast would be critical.
Hon. Martin Malama’s demands should not be taken lightly—they speak to the wider PF agenda of erasing freedoms of masses. This is not about UPND—the motion seeks to expurgate freedom of expression and association. I understand that most of us see nothing wrong with stopping advocacy on LGBT issues, but we should not cry foul when they come after other rights as well. We are a democracy, and people should have the rights of organizing without fear of state repression.
Hon. Malama’s anti-gay campaign is aimed at the UPND. Its effects, however, is felt by LGBT persons whose identity is demonized. This PF propaganda promotes what Ange-Marie Hancock calls “politics of disgust;” the political tendency to employ cues that enrage public disgust against a demonized social group. The PF, for instance, knows that Zambians consider homosexuality disgusting—thus by pairing it with the UPND, HH is forced to defend himself against such accusations.
The United Nations, the Commonwealth, and The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) are among the many organizations that protect LGBT persons
Politics of disgust is not evidence based but rides on perceived public negative assumptions about the shamed group. There is no evidence that gays have harmed our nation in any way. The PF propaganda, nonetheless, presents gays as the immediate danger to the nation. Yet, it is the PF’s promotion of the culture of corruption, lack of rule of law and politically sanctioned violence that THREATEN the nation.
Hon. Malama’s ignorance of sexual rights is enthralling, but not surprising at all. The Africa Liberal Network is not the only organization that supports sexual rights. The United Nations, the Commonwealth, and The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) are among the many organizations that protect LGBT persons. Resolution 275 of the ACHPR specifically called for the “Protection against Violence and other Human Rights Violations against Persons on the basis of their real or imputed Sexual Orientation or gender identity.” Adopted at its 2014, 55th Ordinary Session in Angola, the resolution condemned the growing violence on sexual minorities by state and non-state actors. It cited “murder, rape, assault, arbitrary imprisonment” as among them many abuses directed on sexual and gender minorities. It further called for decriminalization of same-gender loving relationships as well as the holding of perpetrators of such abuses accountable. So why is the PF associated with the ACHPR?
Freedom of association and expressions are fundamental to good governance and the rule of law! The Zambian government, for example, is part of SADC. Mozambique, Angola, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa support sexual and gender rights yet they still have sound relationships with the PF government. If President Lungu and HH benefit from these freedoms, so do LGBTQI persons. To rob them of these rights is not only unjust and undemocratic, but also sinful and immoral.
I wish HH supported sexual and gender rights, but he lacks the courage to stand up for what is morally right. Leadership demands standing up for what is right despite the assumed risks. Nelson Mandela was an African hero, yet he stood with sexual and gender minorities – making South Africa the first country in the world to endorse same-sex marriages. He may not have reflected African and Christian values as defined by Hon. Malama, but he died a hero. Indeed, leadership demands courage to walk uncharted terrains!
That homosexuality has become a PF campaign issue at the time when millions are living in poverty, electricity is a rare commodity, people are starving and the nation is buried in international debt points to what former US vice president Al Gore termed “an assault on reason”–something contributing to the current socio-economic and political crisis. We have many policy issues to run on, and LGBTQI rights and freedoms are not among them.
