Mincing words!

If the Zimbabwe Independent is to be believed, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)has embraced some potentially progressive positions. I like the party's proposals with regards to citizenship, capital punishment, elections and gender equality.However, I think that the incestuous relationship between the executive and parliament should be terminated by mandating the complete separation of the executive and the legislature.A bicameral legislature seems like an extravagant proposition for a country reeling from decades of economic mismanagement and corruption under Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF.I would be willing to support a senate if that legislative body is accorded actual powers, especially the responsibility to advise and consent with regards to the appointment of appointments to cabinet, ambassadorships, the judiciary and senior public servants, thus serving as a check on the tendency by politicians to build patronage bases.Above all, I like the MDC's proposal to give women "preferences over their own bodies". It is time to acknowledge that with regards to the issue of abortion, Zimbabwe might as well be in the Middle Ages. Every single one of us knows at least one person who has had an abortion, which is illegal in Zimbabwe. Doctors make a killing performing abortions. We cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand. Women need to have the option and freedom to decide if they want to carry a pregnancy through to birth.The MDC will be pilloried by religious conservatives and traditionalists over this proposal but I hope they stand their ground. Indeed, I hope they realize that they may pay a huge political price for this stance. Now, I honestly hope that every woman who gets pregnant by design or accident, gives birth to a beautiful child. I also know, somehow, that it is not for me to tell an adult woman how to handle their bodies.As a matter of fact, I feel the same about adults of any sex deciding to marry. I may not like it, but it is none of my business. And by the way, I don't like it when babies are baptized or when parents force their children to attend Sunday school, but I stay out of harm's way by watching from the sidelines!