I have to agree with Daniel Lak in "Last orders, please" (#58). The Maoists' agenda is close to that of their much-hated American brethren during America's prohibition era. Washington passed the Prohibition Enforcement Act of 1923 banning the production and sale of alcohol due to pressure from puritanical groups citing social evils. This social experiment did not eradicate the production or sale of alcohol or change the consumption habits of people. It just went underground. Let's not forget the good old Nepali adage, "Khane mukhlai junga le chekhdaina" (a moustache doesn't get in the way of eating). When people want to drink and there is money to be made, there will always be somebody to supply them. I wonder what would have happened if Comrade Stalin had banned vodka, or Chairman Mao, rice wine. Both understood the true meaning of "the opiate of the people."

SN Singh
USA