Sudoku And Other Big Issues

I AM a Sudoku-HOLIC!

Sounds like the opening of an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting but even number puzzles can create addiction and in my case nearly did! So after about a year I quit and subsequently allow myself a once a month “drink at the trough” by doing the (usually) nice simple one in the “BIG Issue” giving myself some altruistic justification – at best, a rather weak excuse but … anyway there are often some good articles as well …For those unfamiliar with Sudoku, it has a 9 x 9 grid printed grid (like a chess board), containing 9 3 x 3 mini-grids; as presented, 17 or more numbers are given (out of 81), depending upon difficulty (roughly) and the challenge is to complete the grid within the rules; the rules are that each column and row and mini-grid shall contain all the numbers from 1 to 9.Imagine my horror when I started the Sudoku in the latest “BIG Issue” and found one row with 2 “9’s” – thus breaking the rules – obviously a misprint but what to do? The choices; do not carry on as the rules are broken and maybe complain; regard misprint (s) as a challenge and find a solution or look at the answer page and correct the print errors – this last alternative would be breaking my fundamental principle at NEVER looking at the answers until I have finished! I did eventually find a solution that was correct by the rules but different from the published solution – and enjoyed doing it more than usual! Why make such a meal out of a simple error in a number puzzle? It got me thinking about broader matters as we all live in societies and cultures that function within sets of behavioural norms that are defined by sets of principles (codes of conduct and similar) that are sometimes formalised into rules, written or not.It is implicit that to be part of such groupings individuals accept and conform to such rules and principles to gain the benefits of community; very reminiscent of Adam Smith’s “Invisible Hand” (Wealth of Nations, 1776) which he contends is a significant driver of social economy – the balance between social acceptance / respect and the need to advance one’s own interests in matters social and economic.The Sudoku incident above brought home that rules can never be formulated for every situation and that personal action often has to fall back on principle to provide guidance and it is how we, as individuals, handle aberrant cases that determines our path in life; it is such marginal examples that will expose our actions to the public criticism of our peers and others.Are we open, constructive and thoughtful or do we duck out and hide behind the rules and thus avoid possible controversy? After all one of Vision 2030’s basic platforms is to move from a society that is rule based to one driven by principle.In Namibia, at the highest societal level, our principles are clearly laid out in our Constitution which provides the framework within which the codified rules, the Law, is determined.It is unsurprising that there are cases, that when brought before a Court of Law, that the rules are found wanting in particular situations and such matters require evaluation, interpretation and finally judgement (a ruling).The laws (rules) are made by the Legislature (Parliament) and interpreted by the Judiciary within the Constitution and taking cognisance of precedent – the Namibian way.Fortunately our judges have proven both independent and astute in their interpretations such that the legal framework usually delivers the ultimate goal, justice; even more important, justice is usually seen to be done.It was therefore of some concern when our HonMin Information and Broadcasting recently stated “the argument that laws are in place to deal with media transgressions do not hold water, simply because the process of going to court is expensive, tedious and it takes too long” (The Namibian, editorial, 08/02/2008) especially when added to the comments during the opening of the High Court (The Namibian, 18/01/2008) regarding “inordinate delays in finalising criminal matters in the lower courts of law in Namibia”.Indeed the HonDepMin Justice was quoted as identifying a need for major change, especially in the actions of presiding officers in preventing delaying tactics – let’s hope.Firstly the HonMin Information and Broadcasting is 100% right in her observation – process is the problem and she has multiple resources, money, staff and support ministries to make it happen! And it isn’t.Why am I getting steamed up? Simple, I have been facilitating a particular maintenance case for nearly 7 years and it has at last reached a stage of payment being made – inordinate delays, sure! And “Justice delayed is Justice denied” (Founding President, State of Nation speech 1993) I obviously cannot go into detail but I have reasonable historical records but the case was “black and white” – no dispute as to paternity or liability or the persons location.What happened? A long string of apparent delaying tactics; failure to serve summons (civil and criminal); non-appearance after summons; sponsored overseas training and non-availability; administrative delays and failures to submit payroll deduction documents; failure to comply with (civil and criminal) court rulings and the list goes on.In this case there will be a satisfactory outcome as I have the resources, time and the advantage of knowing the process and people who can advise.(PS Justice – if you want details please contact me personally – there is more) My concern is for the normal Namibian women with children who have to go through this process to get their due from errant fathers – they do not stand a chance against a bureaucracy that is stacked so heavily against them.No wonder such women get stuck in rotten relationships, can’t escape and end up being abused.Empowerment is about having an opportunity to be independent and self-supporting – having choice.Maintenance money is a key component of such independence and the victims are trapped by an admitted failure of the system.Of course, asking legal people to sort out what is essentially an administrative problem will generally only bring forward “in the box ideas”.HonDepMin Justice is thus to be encouraged in his quest for change – building and renovating offices may present a facade of change but the real problems are human, managerial and procedural and as such are cheaper than building.We have to move from denial to action.Our first Prime Minister provides a way forward when he demands from journalists (The Namibian, 19/02/2008) “the truth and nothing but the truth” (and the whole truth?) which naturally assumes a reciprocal demand by him upon civil society, individuals and the three branches of government to deliver the same.Truth maybe an uncomfortable bedfellow but, ultimately it provides the road to dialogue and ultimately solution.The future of OVC’s and GBV depends on solving this problem.This is a BIG issue! Rules or Principle? Action or Rhetoric? But remember, “It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.”Voltaire (1694-1778) Chris Smith csmith@mweb.com.naanyway there are often some good articles as well …For those unfamiliar with Sudoku, it has a 9 x 9 grid printed grid (like a chess board), containing 9 3 x 3 mini-grids; as presented, 17 or more numbers are given (out of 81), depending upon difficulty (roughly) and the challenge is to complete the grid within the rules; the rules are that each column and row and mini-grid shall contain all the numbers from 1 to 9.Imagine my horror when I started the Sudoku in the latest “BIG Issue” and found one row with 2 “9’s” – thus breaking the rules – obviously a misprint but what to do? The choices; do not carry on as the rules are broken and maybe complain; regard misprint (s) as a challenge and find a solution or look at the answer page and correct the print errors – this last alternative would be breaking my fundamental principle at NEVER looking at the answers until I have finished! I did eventually find a solution that was correct by the rules but different from the published solution – and enjoyed doing it more than usual! Why make such a meal out of a simple error in a number puzzle? It got me thinking about broader matters as we all live in societies and cultures that function within sets of behavioural norms that are defined by sets of principles (codes of conduct and similar) that are sometimes formalised into rules, written or not.It is implicit that to be part of such groupings individuals accept and conform to such rules and principles to gain the benefits of community; very reminiscent of Adam Smith’s “Invisible Hand” (Wealth of Nations, 1776) which he contends is a significant driver of social economy – the balance between social acceptance / respect and the need to advance one’s own interests in matters social and economic.The Sudoku incident above brought home that rules can never be formulated for every situation and that personal action often has to fall back on principle to provide guidance and it is how we, as individuals, handle aberrant cases that determines our path in life; it is such marginal examples that will expose our actions to the public criticism of our peers and others.Are we open, constructive and thoughtful or do we duck out and hide behind the rules and thus avoid possible controversy? After all one of Vision 2030’s basic platforms is to move from a society that is rule based to one driven by principle.In Namibia, at the highest societal level, our principles are clearly laid out in our Constitution which provides the framework within which the codified rules, the Law, is determined.It is unsurprising that there are cases, that when brought before a Court of Law, that the rules are found wanting in particular situations and such matters require evaluation, interpretation and finally judgement (a ruling).The laws (rules) are made by the Legislature (Parliament) and interpreted by the Judiciary within the Constitution and taking cognisance of precedent – the Namibian way.Fortunately our judges have proven both independent and astute in their interpretations such that the legal framework usually delivers the ultimate goal, justice; even more important, justice is usually seen to be done.It was therefore of some concern when our HonMin Information and Broadcasting recently stated “the argument that laws are in place to deal with media transgressions do not hold water, simply because the process of going to court is expensive, tedious and it takes too long” (The Namibian, editorial, 08/02/2008) especially when added to the comments during the opening of the High Court (The Namibian, 18/01/2008) regarding “inordinate delays in finalising criminal matters in the lower courts of law in Namibia”.Indeed the HonDepMin Justice was quoted as identifying a need for major change, especially in the actions of presiding officers in preventing delaying tactics – let’s hope.Firstly the HonMin Information and Broadcasting is 100% right in her observation – process is the problem and she has multiple resources, money, staff and support ministries to make it happen! And it isn’t.Why am I getting steamed up? Simple, I have been facilitating a particular maintenance case for nearly 7 years and it has at last reached a stage of payment being made – inordinate delays, sure! And “Justice delayed is Justice denied” (Founding President, State of Nation speech 1993) I obviously cannot go into detail but I have reasonable historical records but the case was “black and white” – no dispute as to paternity or liability or the persons location.What happened? A long string of apparent delaying tactics; failure to serve summons (civil and criminal); non-appearance after summons; sponsored overseas training and non-availability; administrative delays and failures to submit payroll deduction documents; failure to comply with (civil and criminal) court rulings and the list goes on.In this case there will be a satisfactory outcome as I have the resources, time and the advantage of knowing the process and people who can advise.(PS Justice – if you want details please contact me personally – there is more) My concern is for the normal Namibian women with children who have to go through this process to get their due from errant fathers – they do not stand a chance against a bureaucracy that is stacked so heavily against them.No wonder such women get stuck in rotten relationships, can’t escape and end up being abused.Empowerment is about having an opportunity to be independent and self-supporting – having choice.Maintenance money is a key component of such independence and the victims are trapped by an admitted failure of the system.Of course, asking legal people to sort out what is essentially an administrative problem will generally only bring forward “in the box ideas”.HonDepMin Justice is thus to be encouraged in his quest for change – building and renovating offices may present a facade of change but the real problems are human, managerial and procedural and as such are cheaper than building.We have to move from denial to action.Our first Prime Minister provides a way forward when he demands from journalists (The Namibian, 19/02/2008) “the truth and nothing but the truth” (and the whole truth?) which naturally assumes a reciprocal demand by him upon civil society, individuals and the three branches of government to deliver the same.Truth maybe an uncomfortable bedfellow but, ultimately it provides the road to dialogue and ultimately solution.The future of OVC’s and GBV depends on solving this problem.This is a BIG issue! Rules or Principle? Action or Rhetoric? But remember, “It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.”Voltaire (1694-1778) Chris Smith csmith@mweb.com.na