Daniel Lak's observations in his column Here and There ('It's over', #220) about the recent US presidential elections and the triumph of democracy, despite the Bush administration's numerous misdeeds, are sharp and correct as usual. I wonder when we will be able to say the same about Nepal!

Saurav Jung Thapa,
Amherst, USA

. As Daniel Lak says in 'Leaving in droves' (#221) maybe Americans should not abandon America just because their man lost. If they really believe in democracy, they will stay in America and try to reform it. But until there is a genuine visionary alternative to Bushite neo-cons (and not wishy-washy flip-floppers like Kerry) I'm afraid America is going to be even more fundamentalist.

M Arif,
email