Words such as 'democrac&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#'&#̵'216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;216;', 'freedom', and 'liberalism' that our forefathers spilled their blood to win are being cheapened by the likes of Sadip Bahadur Shah ('Not the people's war', #230) who use them with unbelievable ease for their own unjustifiable needs. Shah speaks as if the rest of us are incapable of spotting a far-fetched claim when one is so obvious. Given the outrageous human rights violations that the RNA has added onto the reckless killings by the Maoists (see the latest report by Amnesty International), what 'democratic norm' does Shah speak of? Perhaps he means the democratic norm that has allowed Nepalis to enjoy freedom and fundamental rights in the last 14 years. The democratic norm that has allowed our rural people to defend themselves against the violations of their constitutional rights: against caste discrimination, brutality, and constant bullying. The norm that has generously blessed our journalists with the freedom of speech. Nepal is yet to see a genuine democracy, let alone defend it. I suspect most Nepalis outside Kathmandu have neither the time nor the state of normalcy between getting raped and murdered to fight fear. If it isn't already apparent to some, there is nothing served on their plates but fear. With no local authorities to effectively report to, Nepalis have no one to support or trust. So it's quite ironic that Shah brings up half-hearted support. I am certain Dailekh's 'defiant mothers' would beg to differ with him. If the army is to gain people's authentic support, reasonable measures
must be taken to punish those who violate human rights, to show that they stand for democracy, and to prove that their concern is genuine. There is much work that needs to be done if it is interested in winning hearts, being as crass as 'the enemy' is not it.

Samudaya.org

. Increased fuel prices and now tax hikes, all for the security expenses? Whose security are you talking about Mr Premier? ('Adding fuel to the fire', #230) Security of the palace, power elite and political egoists? The general public's security has never been a priority. Dear king, this is an emergency, prepare to compromise. The people can no longer bear the cost of this war. Prachanda: How can you dream of spring when you are uprooting the tree in winter? To the palace: You nest in the same tree.

Rajesh Pokharel,
New York