good news, for a change
Nepal protests restore democracy. The king is restoring parliament, and opposition protests have turned into an opposition celebration. And we didn't even have to invade.
Of couse, the Maoists are opposing this deal.
But the Maoists said in agreeing the deal with the king, the opposition had betrayed an agreement it made with them in November, which called for fresh elections and an end to an "autocratic monarchy".
My question is, why do the Maoists think new elections are necessary? Is it because the parliament was corrupt, or under the thumb of the king? Is it because it's past time to hold new elections? Or is it just because the Maoists are better served by unrest and violence than by democracy? Since their inability to deal with the Maoist insurgency was the excuse the King gave for dissolving Parliament, I can't help but think that the Maoists would rather have the autocractic monarchy, since it helps sow the dissatisfaction they need to gain supporters.
Wacky Maoists. I know they're not kidding around, but whenever I hear about the Maoist insurgency, I want to laugh at them. Like, you're following Mao? For serious? Have you not read a paper in the last twenty years? Even the Chinese aren't really following Mao anymore.
**
Speaking of protests, Greek protesters riot against Altair VoyagerCondoleeza Rice.
"We are not protesting just against Rice, but the imperialist, war-mongering US government," school teacher Panayiotis Hiundis told Reuters.
At least six people were detained on Monday after they managed to unfurl a giant banner reading "Condoleezza Rice go home" on the Athens concert hall, adjacent to the US embassy, Associated Press news agency reported.
Hee hee.
They're protesting against the run up to another war in Iran, and I say, good for them. Ok, maybe the smashing of store windows was unnecessary, and I don't think hurling rocks and such at police (in response to tear gas) is a smart plan, but at least some people see which way the wind is blowing, and are standing up. The world could use some of that. The tv report on BBC World News says that while the protests were small, an overwhelming majority of Greeks are opposed to U.S. foreign policy. And hey, we're gradually moving in that direction ourselves.
The date of Ms Rice's visit was changed to try to circumvent huge rallies against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan which were planned to coincide with it.
And how's that working out?
Of couse, the Maoists are opposing this deal.
But the Maoists said in agreeing the deal with the king, the opposition had betrayed an agreement it made with them in November, which called for fresh elections and an end to an "autocratic monarchy".
My question is, why do the Maoists think new elections are necessary? Is it because the parliament was corrupt, or under the thumb of the king? Is it because it's past time to hold new elections? Or is it just because the Maoists are better served by unrest and violence than by democracy? Since their inability to deal with the Maoist insurgency was the excuse the King gave for dissolving Parliament, I can't help but think that the Maoists would rather have the autocractic monarchy, since it helps sow the dissatisfaction they need to gain supporters.
Wacky Maoists. I know they're not kidding around, but whenever I hear about the Maoist insurgency, I want to laugh at them. Like, you're following Mao? For serious? Have you not read a paper in the last twenty years? Even the Chinese aren't really following Mao anymore.
**
Speaking of protests, Greek protesters riot against Altair VoyagerCondoleeza Rice.
"We are not protesting just against Rice, but the imperialist, war-mongering US government," school teacher Panayiotis Hiundis told Reuters.
At least six people were detained on Monday after they managed to unfurl a giant banner reading "Condoleezza Rice go home" on the Athens concert hall, adjacent to the US embassy, Associated Press news agency reported.
Hee hee.
They're protesting against the run up to another war in Iran, and I say, good for them. Ok, maybe the smashing of store windows was unnecessary, and I don't think hurling rocks and such at police (in response to tear gas) is a smart plan, but at least some people see which way the wind is blowing, and are standing up. The world could use some of that. The tv report on BBC World News says that while the protests were small, an overwhelming majority of Greeks are opposed to U.S. foreign policy. And hey, we're gradually moving in that direction ourselves.
The date of Ms Rice's visit was changed to try to circumvent huge rallies against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan which were planned to coincide with it.
And how's that working out?