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Does the heading ring a bell? I�m sure it does because we all remember vividly that �Be bold� was Nana Konadu�s slogan when she contested Agya Ofuntuo for the flagbearership slot of the Zu-za party. And we all know the results, don�t we? I�m not a fan of the Rawlingses; neither do I fancy the politics of those standing under the eagle-headed Umbrella, but I always give the devil his due. It is the reason I boldly declare that Nana Konadu is a very brave woman! Yes, she lost the flagbearership contest. One can even say that she was humiliated by the Law Professor in Sunyani. But one thing one cannot take away from her is the fact that she was the only one who was able to boldly hold the bull by the horn. She failed to win the contest; but at least, she was bold enough to try. For that alone, I doff my hat to her. I�m an admirer of African culture. But I would boldly declare that our customs and traditions have failed to make us bold. Ours is a society which frowns on young persons being blunt when speaking to the elderly because it equates bluntness to discourteousness. An elderly person would shamelessly look you in the eye and tell a mendacious story. Just try telling him he is peddling an untruth, and the first thing he would tell you is that you have no respect for the elderly. Of course, I believe in politeness and respect for the elderly. I agree we should always try to be decorous in our speech. I also agree that if and when it becomes necessary for us to insult, we should do it nicely by using euphemisms. For instance, instead of calling someone �a fool�, you can say �others are wise but you are otherwise�. However, I also believe in calling a spade by its real name. Politeness is good but it is also sly; only truth is bold. A thief is what he is, a thief. Using euphemisms to describe him does not change the fact that he is a thief. I visited Kubease last week where I chanced upon a married woman engaged in hot exchanges with a bachelor. Apparently, the woman, who we all know to have loose morals, had made amorous overtures towards the young man. Having failed in her mission, she resorted to calling him names. She used words like �impotent� and �chicken-hearted� to describe him. The continued insults enraged the young man so much that he responded in equal measure by calling her �irresponsible� and �ashawo�. And that is exactly what she is. I hear she has summoned the young man for daring to refer to her in those derogatory terms. If you were the chief, how would you judge the matter? Do keep your rabbit-like ears wide open for more �konkonsa� on the issue. Abusuapanin, there is this talk about politics of insults. Indeed, insults hurt and breed confusion so politics of insults is not good. But has it ever occurred to you that most of us have mistaken the truth for insults? Insults hurt; so is truth also. Perhaps, it is because both hurt that is why we mistake one for the other. A man of average intelligence becomes a deputy minister of state by default. The sudden rise eats into his head so much that he becomes full of himself and starts fooling around. He refers to people who are far more intelligent than he is as �unintelligent�. The pathetic aspect of it all is that he does not even realize that he is advertising his stupidity. Obviously, the only way to deflate the ego of the conceited minister is to look him straight in the eye and tell him the truth. And believe me; euphemisms are ineffective in such situations because fools hardly read between the lines. Now, such a man is told that he is a �stupid fool�, and the hypocrites amongst us want us to believe hell has broken loose because of that? The truth is what it is, the truth. If the hypocrites have not noticed, the truth serum forced down the throat of the stupid fool has so far been very effective. If nothing at all, he is now very careful with his choice of words on radio and television. He no longer calls others �unintelligent� because he does not want to risk swallowing another bitter pill. Isn�t that something we should cheer about? A dishonourable person who becomes a minister of state suddenly assumes the title �honourable�. The honourable minister continues in his dishonourable ways, yet we continue to call him honourable even though he does not deserve it. Some may say it is �fun-fool� respect, but I think otherwise. I believe it is both wrong and shameful. Holding dishonourable persons in high esteem will encourage the youth to emulate their shameful behaviour. That is why I believe it is shameful. Until we start calling a spade by its real name, stupid fools and dishonourable persons will continue to call us unintelligent. They will tell us the government has bought a cow, when they know very well that it is a sheep. They will tell us a president who has planted and harvested seeds out of wedlock is morally upright, when they know the reverse is the case. They will tell you it is a better Asomdwekrom, even though they know life is bitter for you. Trust me; the only cure for this ailment is to be bold and tell such stupid fools and dishonourable ministers the truth. And what could the truth be, if not the fact that they are dishonourable persons who have gained some modicum of respect because of our indiscretion? So I say; be bold and right the wrong when the time comes!