Blogdai's Top Ten
David Letterman reacting to blogdai's top-ten list
Top 10 Things That Will Save Nepal
1. Jail Girija Koirala
2. Kill the Maoists; don't talk, kill.
3. Eliminate the current 7-party alliance.
4. Open up markets and world investment in Nepal. Detach the Nepalese Rupee
from the Indian Rupee.
5. Throw both ambassadors James Moriarty and Keith Bloomfield out of Nepal.
6. Re-establish a parliament under UN control.
7. Increase the size and training of the RNA.
8. Tighten the border with India; close it for a while, if you have to.
9. Re-establish elections and a true, Nepali-style democracy.
10. Ban all street protests for one year.
-=blogdai
posted by blogdai @ 9/06/2005 08:36:00 PM
71 comments
71 Comments:
glad to see that you have the same top ten wishes as King G....or are we missing a point....isnt this what he set out to do on feb 1st or oct whatever...!!
sad but true but the new world order requires sores to fester...so the rapid surgical moves that G and you think about just cant happen. well atleast he tried !!
p.s. i would add sending paras to the moon as point 11
Blogdai,
You're so full of shit, yet you don't cease to amuse me.
actually u don's have wits. I never surf this site from today coz. I found that u don't have mind.
Wow, what would your top 10 include?
People, Nepal is dying. King G. or whomever has to do something. The time for politicians posturing for advantage while Nepal burns is over. The time for watching maoists make fools of the peace process is over. A friend of mine in Nepal said "The people no longer care if the cat is black or white, as long as it gets rid of the mice."
Blogdai most certainly can be "full of shit," but at least it is shit that is moving forward.
-=blogdai
Quite right, I frequently read this blog and while the commentaries are both amusing insightful, Nepal remains a troubled spot - deaf to our suggestions.
Why not stir up the mix with this posting? The political parties and the Maoists are up to their same old games, so why not find a new direction such as this?
fuck you !
Sorry, not without dinner and a movie first...
-=blogdai
For point #1: Whatever allergy King G has against Girija, he is only one capable of making peace between the parties and the king.
TO the KING (if you are reading): Listen to the people not Sharad Chandra Shah, MAKE PEACE with the Maoists. This a historic chance, MAKE IT HAPPEN. The Maoists are not trusted nor are you.But this is a great chance for peace. It is imperative to throw open the peace negoitations to a neutral party ( UN, the Swiss),not Padma Ratna Tuladhar. King G simply cannot be trusted with the negoitations.
This is a historic chance. No ego's, no India bashing, no complex formula's, let's take this up and usher in a peaceful 2006.
Dear G....call the maoists for negotiations and this time make sure they have a few members less after they break off from talks... think sting operation...history will forgive...[ should have been done in 2001] letting the maoist regroup is like granting a 3 year extension on this problem. calling in girija is like showing how intellectually defunct the country is [ politically].
expletives arent going to bring peace.the maoists have an agenda..and Nepal is just a small front in the war.
All references to Christopher Guest's movies get top consideration, but blogdai refuses to concede and pull out the fiddle just yet.
Santosh I applaud your optimism but Girija is Nepal's worst infection and absolutely has no place in its future. When has he done one selfless act solely for the benefit of Nepal rather than himself?
Number 2 is brutal, sure, but we are dealing with a group that seeks only to manipulate. When will we get it into our heads that NOT EVERY GROUP WANTS TO LIVE IN PEACE AND HARMONY. Would I gather a group of surrendered Maoists in a room and kill them? Certainly not, but we must take a position of giving no quarter to Maoists and their atrocities or else they will gain strength and confidence. Witness the encouragement Babu Ram Bhatarri received after ambassador Moriarty's stupid utterances about maoist capability. Witness again poor misguided Desmond Tutu wishing to give refugee status to a convicted Maoist. The great man was obviously influenced by western media. The Maoists will take this as a form of world support.
No, use the language of absolute punishment with maoists--kill them all-- until they see their futility and realize that they absolutely DO NOT represent "The People."
You cannot stop a charging rhinocerous with a feather. Maoists require a tough policy stance or they just won't get it.
-=blogdai
Let's turn the tables on this #2 thing for a minute.
Suppose you were a fledgling political movement in Nepal and you were trying to crack Girija's iron grip on power and money and get your position heard. How would you do it?
The maoists asked themselves this question in the early 90's when they were roundly laughed out of the parliamentary pig-trough. So, the result was, the Maoists got guns, got money and got violent.
Fourteen years later, irrelevant and senile Girija is tripping all over himself to woo the Maoists; because, face it, without guns or money, the 7-party alliance is nothing more than an old man's freak show. They can hold all the "conventions" they like but they hold no power and no influence; they are pathetic at best and a nuisance at worst.
If it weren't for the fact that the tabloid-brained Nepali media gives front-page coverage to Girija's every bowel movement, the 7-party alliance would have long faded into obscurity.
Girija knows all of this (or at least someone sane is telling him). Why do you think he keeps on protesting? Because protests are Girija's only weapon; he'd love to have the kind the Maoists use, however.
The point is, the Maoists shouted the loudest and are now a political force. It worked for them so it has become their model of political clout and success. To counter them, the forces of peace must shout equally in the language the Maoists understand and prefer. That's why blogdai says: KILL THE MAOISTS.
-=blogdai
How about capture the mao party leader/s and indite them for crimes against humanity (like Milosevic/Saddam) - then let the washed brains dry out (ie expand the education of the masses to give them a full view of reality)
I think that Maoist leadership is mostly symbolic now. Cadres in the field all act autonomously.
It would be nice however to capture Prachanda and Babu Ram. It may not change much in the field but it would certainly go a long way towards normalizing relations with the West.
-=blogdai
BlogDai,
Good list!!!
I think this is the most rational blog on the current imbroglio going on in Nepal. Most of the blogs (on Nepal) that I have found are just like most of the publications from Nepal - merely a mouthpiece for this or that party.
I wish I could say that " #1 shouldn't have been there (at #1), as GK will eliminate himself by his 'hawaldari' way of perceiving and dealing with issues. Look for him being overtaken(defeated) by the second generation leaders in the NC in near future." But I guess everybody knows that this has been just a wish of so many Nepalis. We have seen it for quite a while now.
For #2, I have to say:
Gangrene
Treatment:
"Gangrene requires urgent evaluation and treatment. In general, dead tissue should be removed to allow healing and prevent further infection."
Causes:
Gangrene can occur when a body part loses its blood supply.
(Parts of Nepal did loose blood supply during the Panchayat era and at a more accelarated rate after the dawn of democracy since 1990.
And just wanted to add that I am from Jajarkot (if you know where it is), and I am neither a royalist nor a maoist.
have u checked out the comments that come up from time to time on this analytical org http://www.saag.org
I wholly disagree with the critics of my idol, Girija Koirala. Yesterday my five-year-old son amazed me by declaring that he will be the prime minister of nepal when he grows up. I told him nicely: “babu, you don’t have to do that. We have great leaders like Girijababu who will hang on to that time to make this country great.” I doubt if my son understood the logic, but I was very clear.
Girija Prasad Koirala is the singlemost important person in Nepal’s history. People talk about BP being great, BP this, BP that. But I tell you, BP was nothing compared to GP. If Nepal were to be a republic today, I would trust no one but GP to lead us in our new path. If nepal were to host the olympics in 30 years, I would trust no one but GP to head the organizing team. If GP were a car, he would be a volvo–misunderstood, but strong, not very pretty, but safe.
What is Nepali congress without GP? Who can replace this irreplaceable leader? KP? No way. We need someone with a strong resolve, storong sense of purpose and a strong vision. GP fits every requirement you can come up for a great leader. Granted, at times, it is very hard to see his strengths but just hear him speak--so coherently and logically.
We need to let this champion of freedom, democracy and progress to lead nepal for years to come. Under his first premership, he killed more poeple in three years than the preceding 30 years. What for? To preserve democracy. To preserve NC's leadership--because without him and NC, Nepal is nothing, Nepali democracy is nothing.
One thing, though–there should not be any opposing view points directed towards him. GP works very well with support and cooperation. Just ask KP Bhattarai and Daman Nath Dhungana. With adept advisers like Govinda Raj Joshi and Laxam Ghimire, why do we worry? Let GP work at his own pace and at his own liking. Then we will all see how blessed we Nepalis are to have had a leader like him. In fact, we should not think once about sacrificing our lives so that GP can maintain his NC leadership and become the PM of Nepal for many many years to come.
I normally do not dwell in the past, but I cannot help in this situation. If only the communists, palace, Congressis and the Nepali people had given GP thier full support and cooperation, he would have made us all proud(er). Instead, people bickered in the name of democracy. Dared to oppose such a great leader. How could he handle all this. It distracted him from achieving his goals. And now, some idiots blame him for nepal’s slump. Get a life. Blame yourself for not supporting this great man a hundred percent. This great leader of ours is blameless, harmless and faultless. Just let him have his way for decades to come and he will show us all what he can do.
Long Live GP!
Absolutely breathtaking!
Your singular devotion to old girija is almost, shall we say, "autocratic."
Blogdai pokes lots of fun at the old geezer so I hope this is a satirical take on my relentless badgering. Since there are no background references to support any of your claims--as per the norm here at blogdai--we can infer no more than lighthearted levity from your posting.
On the other hand, if girija is the only one capable of making peace, as you say, then why hasn't he?
Isn't it a bit imperial of you to say that there should be no opposing views against him either?
If girija is such a champion of freedom and democracy, why can't he compromise? Why can't he reach a concensus with opposing factions? Why can he not bear to give up one ounce of power in the NC? And why, most importantly, does he seek an alliance with terrorists?
Anyway, thanks for the party commercial. I regret to tell you that, in your zeal, wanting girija to rule for "decades to come" would put the old fart at around 102 years old at the least. Are you implying that a corpse is best suited for running your "democracy?"
-=blogdai
back to business,
Yes, I did check out the Saag site. It seems to have the usual, behind-the -curve Indian take on Nepal's situation.
Let's call a moratorium on the Indian press, shall we? Their tabloid style can be so annoying and counterproductive.
Blogdai would much rather listen to our new friend from Jajarkot. People living in Nepal just seem to see things clearer.
-=blogdai
Yes, when I started reading that anonymous defence of Koirala, I automatically assumed that it had to be satire...it didn't seem conceivable that it was genuine.
But by the end, I wasn't so sure!! So, on the slim chance that it was a genuine rant, I offer the following two general comments:
1. Isn't the whole idea of democracy that the fate and future of a nation does NOT rest in the hands of any one individual??
2. Isn't the whole idea of a future for Nepal dependent on 5 year old children everywhere believing that they could grow up to be Prime Minister (or anything else that they want to be) and to have those beliefs nurtured and supported by their parents, educational and government systems??
This website has become too dogmatic.
I am disappointed in Blogdai.
I assumed the GP post was ironic. Long live humour!
(PS I also enjoyed the 'Charlie Davidson' cartoon!)
It is a very good idea to save Nepal. Otherwise this country will suffer more. Once their demand of constituent assembly will be fullfilled and if they becaome success also, they start to fight for the power like a hell. Definately from every angle, maoist will be the gainer in the abscence of the king.
This is not the wish of the king, this is the wish of the people who are not involved in politics. But king has to give the power back to the people by free and fair election with the inspection of the international organization.
We do not trust present political leaders, their so-called civic society and maoist at the moment.We all saw them in 14 years what they made this country.
1. What for GANA ???? TANTRA???
2. Why plitical activists are giving moral support to those filthy irresponsible leaders?
3. Why civic society is supporting the mistakers of the 14 years instead of new idea?
4. Why press is pro to the those filthy leaders? do they want them to continue the further mess in future?
5. Why India is supporting the maoist and those filthy leaders what they are planning to get from Nepal? Why everything is planning in Delhi as they done for Sikkim.
Democracy yes.... but no further mess in the name of democracy... king's move somehow is logic for certain period...
I love that you called the 7 Party Alliance an "old man's freak show." Hillarious! Funny because it's so damn true! Right or wrong, I can't say, but keep it up blogdai.
To follow up my earlier "supportive rant" on Girija Koirala, here's my own top ten list:
Top 10 signs that you are a genuine fan of Girija Prasad Koirala, the great.
1. You believe that all voices of anger against GP is part of a grand design
2. When summoned by the RCCC for corruption charges, you turn to Govinda Raj Joshi for advice
3. If somebody speaks against you, you brand them as royalists or darbarias
4. You have a clear vision, but only with a powerful set of eyeglasses
5. RNAC to you means Reliable Network to Amass Cash
6. You are used to running your meetings without an agenda
7. If you make a mistake, its somebody else’s fault
8. Your sole aim in life is to cling to power
9. You believe in Karma. So you are spending hours in protest rallies to build a case to be in power when you go to hell.
10. You genuinely believe that only you understand the grand concept of democracy
We've been had! Aha!
Well done; a masterwork of satire.
-=blogdai
I can not believe how dogmatic you have become Blogdai. I am really disappointed to see your Blog resort to such pointless absurdities.
I even suggested that a friend who was interested to learn about the politics in Nepal read your blog. So he visited the website and came back to me and he was baffled as to how i could find your website to be of interest.
Having not visited your website for a month, I thought I would pay a visit and catch up.
Now i understand.
Goodbye.
The blind man is often the first to see. It matters not his political colours.
In this respect, you are no different from Girja and Prachanda. You may not agree with them but your dogmatic approach to politics is exactly like them.
You can not offer political insight when you show the fullness of your contempt towards others.
My intention is not to insult you because i have seen much to admire in your views and i have long thought your Blog one of the best sources of information on Nepal.
I am greatly disappointed that your mind has grown lazy in its approach to the politics of Nepal.
Good luck.
Can't quite see your point there, old chap.
You like using the word dogmatic a lot. In fact, you have a repetitive adherence to the term yet you refuse to offer any background proof. Isn't that, itself, the classic definition of dogmatic?
Anyway, don't be a sap. Top ten lists are fun and serve a larger point: they stimulate debate and discussion. This thread has introduced us to an amazingly divergent field of opinions.
Live a little. Join in the discussion and offer some points.
May your Karma run over your Dogma.
-=blogdai
Starting to look over Number 10 again.
I do want to ban street protests yet the demonstration by Nepal civil society last week was not only inspiring, but relatively unmolested by security forces..
Does G. know a rat when he smells one? He only turns his water canons on NC sponsored events.
-=blogdai
Quite right Blogdai.
Does our anonymous friend know that this thread, in all its rancor and roughness, symbolizes the essence of democracy itself?
It is clarifying to analyze this thread and see the Nepalese who "get it" as blogdai says, and those who don't or have a separate, covert agenda.
Phillip Sheridan
Washington (via Manchester)
Dogma outside of religion...
[Many non-religious beliefs are often described as dogmata, for example in the fields of politics or philosophy, as well as within society itself. The term dogmatism carries the implication that people are upholding their beliefs in an unthinking and conformist fashion]
lets make a list of top ten dogmas that need to be inculcated in everyone, i can contribute 2 right now...more later !or just add on
1] there is no such thing as a Maoist Ceasefire
2] there is no such thing such as an honest girija
3]
Blog Dai you seem too old to think or visualize change. You most come from very very feudal ruling class family background. Or you had some offer from Pakistani Military regime. Be wise, think about global change! You have poor country's background, don't you? You should know how elites and ruling class still make their poverty history. I hope you will gain some more knowledge.
You besmirch me with your inculcated dogmatic miasma.
How ironic to be labeled as "too old to think or visualize change" as we target girija the way we do.
I recognize this type of posting. It is from way out in left field and completely misses the content and spirit of this thread while claiming some point of view: welcome, western-educated, upper-class, expatriot Nepali who can see nothing past sentence-formation and grammar practice, welcome.
-=blogdai
-=blogdai
Right on blogdai!
I thought I was at Freenepal, Samudaya or one of the other Nepal crap fests from the sound of that last "anonymous" posting. Please, please, use your powers of edit to eliminate this type of ranting, lest all our comments are picked apart word for word and out of context.
Roger U.K.
Hi Blogdai,
I totally agree about jailing Girija. If so many other are being jailed for corruption then why not him... afterall he's had the biggest piece of pie.
Maoists ..yeah they must be eliminated. I see no other way of treating those treacherous @#&#@...
People are taking the lives of RNA soldiers for granted. Many gave their life not just for monarchy. If they will not figth back maoists, tommorw those people can enter your home.
About King, I dont think his moves has not been that great till now but as we say in nepali...'Andho ko desh ma kaano raaja'. Present Politicians are the worst alternatives.
Nepal Blog Discovery
Blogdai it is sad to see your blog being reduced to be a mouthpiece of the palace. It is clear that you are either on King's payroll or one of his sycophant! (and no, occasional obligatory rants against Paras does not prove you are not from palace)
You have made it clear that you like authoratarian rule and seems to have greatly impressed by what the friendly dictator to the west is doing to Pakistan.
Won't be surprised if you are on his payroll as well considering how ISI has penetrated Kathmandu.
Really sad to see this yet another "independent" Nepali Blog going down as yet another palace mouthpiece.
Ten more things to add to Blogdai's Top Ten
10)Buy Paras a Hummer with the education budget to build school in Mugu (so that Paras has something to play with and does not go around shooting people)
9)Invite Myanmar junta to build a joint venture Coke factory
8)Now, we have bank defaulters, corrupts investigated by CIAA, and convicted criminals in the cabinet, add some burglars, smugglers, and human traffickers to make the perfect cabinet
7)Hire Saddam Hussein's information minister to replace Blogdai and Tanka Dhakal to spread the propoganda
6)Build a fortress around all the statutes of the past kings and queens
5)Give tax exemption to Spice Nepal and shut down Nepal telecom to promote family business and kill the competitors
4)Send Nepali police and army to North Korea to learn the art of torture
3)To reduce unemployment, start a militia under Paras, to harrass the dissenters
2)Steal the Sandhe from Pasupatinath and sell it MOMA in NY
1)If nothing works, blame it on India
And what is your final solution to the problem, my anonymous friend? The time for rhetoric is over.
Personally, I'm reduced to picking the best out of a bad bunch...I'm fed up of groundhog day.
My choice is a simple one. I'm not going to side with someone who has shafted us over and over again and makes absolutely no progress. Alas we don't seem to have anyone who is a true *professional* in this country. They're all amateurs...
naagboy
"My choice is a simple one. I'm not going to side with someone who has shafted us over and over again and makes absolutely no progress."
naagboy, How do you know that king is the best among the worst? The only way, we can determine, is for the King to go for the constituent assembly vote, and if the majority of Nepalese side with the King as he claims, then I am fine with it.
Another thing, the criticism of the parties on corruption and mismanagement is a valid one and they should be punished for it. But why has no one bothered to ask how our beloved King's family, which was almost bankrupt when the King Tribhuvan got the throne, has become so rich? I am serious, just watch any of the old video of the royal family and you will see they were a lot poorer than now. This is an equally important issue and should be answered to be fair.
Also my friend naagboy, siding with someone does not mean following blindly. That has always been the number one fault of the nepali people. If King is screwing us up like right now like by 1) talking about fiscal discipline but increasing his household budget by 10 fold, 2) abusing his power to promote his son-in-law's Spice Nepal over the govt owned Nepali telecom (indirectly owned by Nepali people), and 3) talking about curbing corruption but including bank defaulters and corrupts in his cabinet, we should definitely speak up. These are just a few of many examples, and it is debatable whether they are corruption or not but they are definitely not ethical and he is taking advantage of the poor sajha sidha nepali again.
And answer me, what has King done in the last 6 months to bring peace, his main goal?
Top Ten
Every few months or so, blogdai has to fend off the "royalist" monicker. This thread is no exception.
Ironic that you should pick this thread because most of the top ten list has nothing to do with the King or his agenda. In fact a few items go directly against the King's current ideals. Gentle reader, please acquaint yourself with the bulk of the postings in this blog. This is a courtesy notice. I'll break out my big blue pencil if you and a few others here don't start making some sense.
So, let's address the royalist question. Many of you are so angry with blogdai and his royalism. But what alternative do you offer, anarchy? Would you have the parties back in place? If so you have chosen a path that, in no way, resembled democracy. This King may be unpopular, and he may not know what he's doing for the moment, but he's at least slowed down the bleeding by getting rid of the parties.
It's also fun to hear some of you whine about the King hiring corrupt officials and not saving the world in seven months. Where were you when the parties were stealing Nepal blind? Were you watching the Maoists getting stronger like I was?
I really see no reason for all this royalist labeling and bad-mouthing of the current situation unless you can offer something new.
But therin lies the point: you have nothing new to offer. You want the old system back because it has obviously made some of you educated and prosperous. You miss the money trough don't you?
-=blogdai
who is this anonymous who keeps adding to my top ten?
Absolutely hillarious...
-=blogdai
Just revisiting some comments...
You know, who cares how much money the King keeps? For that matter, who cares how much the parties steal. Our job in Nepal is to get rid of the Maoists, PERIOD!
Bickering about who said what to whom and who took money from where just plays the fiddle a little louder while Nepal burns.
Great empressario Norman Granz said "democracy is about getting results."
Your bungling politicians don't know a result from dal bhat, so why don't we sit back, shut up, and give someone else a chance for a change. In the meantime, lets learn to build a concensus among ourselves and compromise; without this there can be no democracy.
We need to find a common voice or the Maoists will find one for us.
-=blogdai, royalist for the moment
One of the most flawed arguments I have heard post-1990 is something in the line of “Panchayat was corrupt too, and so was the palace, so why criticize the netas? My immediate answer to such retort is: “Well, that’s why panchayat is gone. Can’t we now expect something better? If not, then shouldn’t you go too?”
Anonymous (Top Ten) is resorts to the same line of reasoning:
“…the criticism of the parties on corruption and mismanagement is a valid one and they should be punished for it. But why has no one bothered to ask how our beloved King's family… has become so rich?”
Had the parties and its leaders acted morally and bothered to build a democratic system instead of building multiple houses, we would probably be in a position to seek answers to this question today. But alas, it was not meant to be. They let such a big opportunity to gain the trust of the people and now blame all their failures on the King, the army siding with him, blah blah blah.
Blogdai too resorts to this weak argument by writing “It's also fun to hear some of you whine about the King hiring corrupt officials…Where were you when the parties were stealing Nepal blind?”
Well, with some of the people in his cabinet, the King did make mistakes. Again, his primary mission at the onset (Post Feb 1) was to establish credibility among all Nepalis. Inclusion of people like Jagat Gauchan does no good to that mission.
Having said that, am I willing to give the King some time to try to make Nepal better? Absolutely. I am not convinced that transferring power to these inept party leaders will produce any results.
Annonymous also asks what the king has done in the last six months to bring peace. Well, for starters, he has launched a massive offensive against the Maoists which has made the rebels uncomfortable enough to:
1. Call for ceasefire
2. Threaten to break the truce, and
3. Appeal to the UN that peace is being sabotaged.
HA HA, the Maoists accusing somebody else of sabotaging peace. Or is it more about not getting enough breathing space to reorganize???
It’s not about being party-ists, democrats, Maoists or royalists. We need to be nationalists right now.
Nationalist.
P.S. about identities: I wrote the Girija top ten list. Somebody else wrote the other one.
It is very trasnparent to the people about the intention of the present leaders.They tune on according to the situation instead of looking at the wish of the people.
G. Shah should do the popular works immediately. The things he should do are;
1. Open the forum for tabltalk with the parties and maoist for the establishment of peace. If the things would not materialisedthen he should turn to other steps.
2. Do popular things like health-free and education-free for all for some extent. Do not listen to the international organizations.
3. Provide some assistances to needed people and organizations.
3. Either re-establish the parliament or announce the election under the inspection of UN.
4. Empire role is very essential for the king even the establishment of democracy.
5. Tighten the illegal trade for the establishment of industries in Nepal.
6. Increase some duties or to provide some strong support to the industries. This will increase the employment generation.
7.The government can generate atleast 20-30 billion if they tightened the illegal trade.
8. Very close and diplomatic realtion with China and India. For this some strong decision may require.
9. Do not look at the past to punish the culprits but look for future to eliminate the culprits.
10.Strong actions maybe required to punish the present and future culprits.
read this newspaper article yesterday in the boondocks that im in...there was no press agency so cant forward a link. but the whole take was about the link between a supreme court ruling that was on its way regarding dismissal / reinstatement of parliment and the maoists panicking as they didnt get enough time to isolate G. whats the street buzz on the same? is there any implication of the supreme court being G's last card to play ?
Good news, that there is going to be the two side now. One is most corrupted and irresponsible (Girija, madhav and gang) and dangerous killers (maoist) and other side is king and neutral people. This is the time to decide which part people want to support. But in the peace process. We do not think people will support the killers and thieves, although people strongly go for democracy. We do not need those killers and thieves in our democracy. King also have to improved a lot for the sake of the country and the people but those thieves and killers should not be allowed to rule this country. Mass majority are against it and not supporting their movement as well. They are now ashamed to see the public participation even in the current movement.
Top Ten,
I wouldn't say I'm blindly following G. I do have some sort of decision-making process.
It's going to take more than 6 months to do anything especially with all the spoiling tactics from the rogues' gallery. I'm going to pass judgement after the 3 year period. In the meanwhile I keep track of events and it looks like he's engaging in a bit of shuttle diplomacy at least.
naagboy
Blogdai: "It's also fun to hear some of you whine about the King hiring corrupt officials and not saving the world in seven months. Where were you when the parties were stealing Nepal blind? Were you watching the Maoists getting stronger like I was?"
Exactly my point. The greatest blunder of Nepali people in the democracy era was not to speak when they could. So no one should keep quiet anymore when something is not right or injustice is done. Even if the parties were to come to power tomorrow, everyone should should send the message loud and clear if they do any hanky panky things.
Blogdai: "But therin lies the point: you have nothing new to offer. You want the old system back because it has obviously made some of you educated and prosperous. You miss the money trough don't you?"
I am tired of this argument. If someone supports democracy, then he/she must have benefited from the parties. Similarly, if some one supports King, then he/she must be a mandale. Leave these kind of arguments to Girija and Tanka Dhakal. There are many people who do not fall in the either camp, make an honest living, love our country, and have an opinion.
Blogdai: "So, let's address the royalist question. Many of you are so angry with blogdai and his royalism. But what alternative do you offer, anarchy? Would you have the parties back in place? If so you have chosen a path that, in no way, resembled democracy. This King may be unpopular, and he may not know what he's doing for the moment, but he's at least slowed down the bleeding by getting rid of the parties."
Blogdai, this is where you have flaw in your argument - If the parties are bad, then King should be good. The alternative does not lie on giving the power to King or parties and expect them to solve all the problem of the country. Our problems are so deep rooted that we need to think out of the box. The solution lies in having a democracy where people are proactive and send the message to the power centers when the expectations are not met. We need to have king as well as parties under the law and balance their power so that they cannot abuse power as in the past. Most of all, I think the King (mostly) and democrats need to leave their ego and have a little bit of humility, if they want to get anything done.
In spite of all the flaws of corruption, and abuse of power in the 10 years of democracy, I think we made significant progress in finance and industry, education, and in our rights and freedom. I do not want the King to trample on these few but significant achievements. Just see how many jobs were created because of the change in policy of the democrats in the last 10 years in airlines, hotels, banks, newspapers, FM stations, and the list goes on. The corrupts should be punished but we should be fair in giving credits.
I get peeved at King more with his recent actions of not practicing his preaching than kicking out the parties. He talks all the right things but he takes 180 degrees when he makes a decision.
King talks about bringing peace but what has he done in the last 6 months achieve this. I know that 6 months is a short time but does his action show that we are heading towards the right direction? Do you really think that the King will be able to achieve what he promised based on his actions till now?
I think the basic problem of corruption and abuse of power arise due to the lack of checks and balance. After the take over of the King, even the little checks and balance we had have disappeared. So I fear that there is a possibility of even more abuse of power. And the worst thing is that no one will find out if they are able to suppress press as they are trying to.
For example, when RCCC is appointed by the King and has power to investigate, prosecute and give judgement on a case, where is the independence and checks and balance? It is like a policeman giving you a speeding ticket and he is going to determine whether you are guilty or not. This is the reason why we have a policeman whose job is to give you a ticket and there is a judge to determine whether you are guilty or not. Giving that kind of power to RCCC is like going back 200 years in history.
Top Ten
Yes, that is true. When I hear about the RCCC and its gradual tumble towards favoritism and bias, it makes me think of what it is that makes a functioning democracy work.
It seems one has to treat your powers like a game--try your best to follow the rules and base every decision on what benefits the most people--it is a challenge to be sure.
That's why I can't abide by the "democracy at all cost" camp. A true functioning democracy is HARD WORK. One must constantly triangulate individual needs with majority opinions and minority rights. We have never been given one indication by anyone or any office in Nepal that they even remotely understand this concept.
I thought the RCCC would turn out to be a good check and balance system, but they just don't seem to get the idea of how this works.
-=blogdai
The parties' vision seem still blindfolded and irresponsible and power hunger at this critical period. They are totally against the king and supporting the maoist. If maoist will not trust them tomorrow, then they will be nowhere for certain period. If they are wise then they should have to trust more to the constitutional monarchy then maoist. They should be clearly understood that constitutional monarchy is more symphethatic to them than maoist. They can cry, bargain, threaten to constitutional monarchy but not to the maoist. If maoist will get upperhand they will be removed as flies from sweets.
Do not forget how maoist had killed the activists of the political parties.
May god bless us and them as well.
The thieves shout too much.
The maoist and these 7 foxes and their gangs are the main culprits for bringing this disaster situation and now they are against the king. What a funny!!! They are now against the king. They are asking people to support their movement.
It's a great political joke and tragedy for democracy in this 21st century...
Yes, it is a pattern we've seen quite a few times. Do the parties and the Maoists have no sense of irony?
How many times have we seen Girija and Prachanda completely reverse their political and ideological stances in an effort to gain some--any--political leverage.
-=blogdai
Look at the central committee members of the Congress. It seems like congress is running a party in the house. 5 koiralas sitting in the chair with all their followers and making crucial decision without democratic norms. Congress seems like family run democratic party. Do people expect anything from this party?
Precisely,
They don't run their own party like a democracy, so why should we trust them to give us guidance on a national democracy?
-=blogdai
Blogdai: "How many times have we seen Girija and Prachanda completely reverse their political and ideological stances in an effort to gain some--any--political leverage."
Yes, we have seen it many times and it is great that everyone is speaking out loud against it. But why do you keep your mouth shut when KG does the same thing? KG also talks about fiscal discipline, but hires bank defaulters and convicted criminals. He talks about curbing corruption but hires people being currently investigated by corruption. He talks about bringing peace but I do not see any initiatives in the horizon for bringing peace.
Do you really believe seeing KG's actions in the last 7 months that he is serious about what he promised?
I am just worried because KG can turn worse than the political parties given that he is above law, media is subdued, and there are even less checks and balances than before. And many people are just following him blindly thinking he is the only savior without asking critical questions.
I have been waiting patiently for my the questions for the royalists - how is KG going to bring peace in 3 years (now 2 years and 5 months)? What is the roadmap? He cannot just hide behind the big walls of Narayanhiti, shun critics and hard questions, and show up few times in Janakpur or Nepalgunj, where lot or resources is used to build huge gates instead of giving relief to the the poor people.
- Fight for Right / Top Ten
My biggest apprehension against the present regime is that there is too much power vested on one person. The problem with NC is that there is too much power vested on the president. The problem with government in democratic era was that the government had too much power compared to parliament and supposedly independent bodies such as CIAA, and Human Rights Comission.
Here is an article, I came across. May be this will give you a some new perspective.
Stability: Monarchy vs democracy
By AMEET DHAKAL
- A few days ago, a research student from Harvard University, landed in my office cubicle and shot a poignant question: If democracy was doing well in Nepal, why were there 14 governments in Kathmandu in as many years since 1990?
That wasn't the first time I was asked such a question though. For umpteenth times, Nepal's self-righteous rightists and western expats ignorant of Nepal's checkered political past have raised that question. Actually, more than a question, it is often presented as an argument— as if it makes an indefensible case against democracy.
This 'democracy-instability' myth has been built upon the democratic years —1990 through 2002— to provide a murky view of that period. One way to debunk the myth is to stretch this truncated history to a longer time frame and objectively assess the "instability" question throughout the rule of the Shah Dynasty.
As a matter of fact, since Prithivi Narayan Shah unified Nepal in 1768, no prime minister has completed a full term (except during the Rana Oligarchy when the kings had virtually no or very limited power). None of the five Mulkajis (prime ministers) who preceded the Rana rule — Damodar Pandey, Rana Jung Pandey, Bhimsen Thapa, Mathawar Singh Thapa and Ranga Nath Poudel — had a natural exit from power.
In between 1952 and 1960, after the end of Rana Oligarchy, we had 10 governments in just eight years. In between 1960 and 1990— the Panchyat era, under the leadership of absolute monarchy — government heads were changed 22 times. Similarly, in between 1990 and 2002, during the parliamentary rule, 10 governments were changed in 12 years. And, finally, after 2002 October, since the king assumed executive power, we have seen four governments in just three years.
In this panoramic view of history, who deserve more blame for the political instability in Nepal — political parties or the monarchy? In a parliamentary system, especially during a political transition, the impatience of lawmakers to change the government is understandable. But what prompts successive kings to have new prime minister almost every year even during their absolute rule?
During the Panchyat era, Prime Ministers were appointed and dismissed at the whims of the king. Not a single prime minister (except Marich Man Singh) lasted for three years—most of them were dismissed in less than a year. In a fashion for tragic comedy, many of them were again picked to serve the king. Surya Bahadur Thapa, for instance, was appointed and dismissed as prime minister for five times. In 1966, King Mahendra dismissed Thapa on the charge of embezzling foreign currency and nepotism in civil administration.
However, King Birendra picked Thapa again in 1979 to oversee national referendum, only to be sacked unceremoniously through impeachment in Rastriya Panchyat four years later.
Even during the 12 years of parliamentary exercise, the people most responsible for the frequent change of government were the lawmakers of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP). They were the people who had learned the ropes of politics under the active leadership of monarchy and were groomed by it in many cases. During the time of hung parliament -- between 1994 to 1999-- when RPP had emerged as the kingmaker, there were five governments in just four years. Almost in every six months, RPP lawmakers voted out the government that they had chosen to install a few months ago. RPP also has earned a dubious distinction of the most unstable party in the post 1990 period, with a record number of splits and unifications.
The political instability of post-1990 period is, therefore, not an invention of the political parties or the multiparty democracy for that matter. It, instead, is a continuation of the 237-year old legacy of the Shah Dynasty. Thus, if the political parties deserve blame for the instability, it should be for their inability to break that brutal legacy of the history.
Had parliamentary exercise gone uninterrupted, it would have taken care of the instability by itself. Granted, the leaders would be reluctant to learn the lessons quickly, but the voters would have forced them to do so anyway.
The Nepali electorates have already proven wrong the patronizing urban elite and many westerners who thought the poor and illiterate Nepalis would not make a sensible choice in the ballots. In the first parliamentary election in 1991, voters gave the Nepali Congress 114 seats, UML 69 and RPP only 3. Voters rewarded NC and UML for their role in Janandolan and punished RPP for Panchayat connections.
In the second general election in 1994, voters punished NC for intra-party bickering and gave only 83 seats, while they rewarded the main opposition UML with 88 seats, making it the largest party in the parliament. They also gave 20 seats to RPP, a reward for expressing their commitment and standing for multiparty democracy.
In the third general elections, voters punished UML for intra-party bickering and gave them only 68 seats but glorified NC once again with 113 seats for going to the people with a united voice and promising stability. They also punished RPP for its destabilizing role in the hung parliament and gave them only 12 seats. Hardly in any transition democracies, have the electorates voted with such a wisdom and maturity.
International experience also shows that wherever the heads of states and others wielded military power and meddled with democracy, stability has only eluded them. Four Central American countries—Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua— present an unhappy and unending saga of instability and misery. Just in next forty years since 1948, they have had more than 48 governments, thirty-two of them through military coup d'état.
Whereas their next door neighbor, Costa Rica, presents a different picture altogether—it's a happy story of stability, peace and prosperity. In a daring move, the democratically elected president in Costa Rica in 1950 abolished the army eliminating the threat that continues to destabilize its neighbors till the date. Thus, only people— not the king or the army— are the source of stability in the long run.
http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=45146
- Fight for Right
I don't know how you can compare this King's immobility to 10 years of incompetance and corruption under Koirala. I'll take crappy old Tulsi Giri over the Lauda Air deal any day. It shows a poor level of understanding to call G. a total failure because he hasn't saved the world in 8 months.
And so what anyway? I would have been happy to let Koirala steal his way to riches if he would have accomplished something, anything, for the benefit of Nepal.
The article provided is both long-winded and irrelevant. The most I can gather is that the author is trying to compare the frequency of prime minister changes under both the Panchayat and under Parliament. Who cares?
You know, throwing large volumes of print into a discussion proves nothing if it doesn't follow a pattern or prove a point.
Your ideas are good, just edit yourself more.
-=blogdai
Comparing the past means going back to the past. Do these political people want to go back. This is 21st century, we have not read or seen that political parties handovering the democrcay.
Government stability and democracy are not actually related to each other. The ideal is to find an acceptable combination of the two.
The most stable governments are often those headed by an autocratic dictator. On the other hand the French Fourth Republic (for example) averaged two governments (prime ministers) each year of its existence.
Here it comes again—the same silly argument—blaming the failure of democratic practices on the shah dynasty and the panchayat regime. It’s funny that I have not heard a similar logic from those trumpeting the achievements of post-1990 democratic governments. All failures are as a result of the past and all successes are as a result of the present. No wonder we Nepalis rot in the mess of violence, bad governance and hollow talks.
According to Ameet Dhakal, the Nepali people voted correctly. I agree. At least they knew what they were doing. But the politicians failed them—focusing instead on a dirty game of horse-trading and rendering the parliament utterly useless and instable. But, obviously, the Kantipur journalist doesn’t buy this theory, blaming the instability instead on “panchayat trained” politicians. I wonder who trained the kangressis and the komnists to engage in a dogfight to join the governments led by Surya Bahadur Thapa and Lokendra Bahadur Chand in 1997. I have no answer, but I have a hunch that Ameet Dhakal thinks it’s all Kamal Thapa’s fault.
Blogdai tries to keep a rather diplomatic stance on such matters, but I happen to agree with you.
Lots of finger-pointing towards all things royal. What we need is for someone to assume responsibility for the errors of the 90's, apologize, and move forward. This is unlikely. We seem to be dealing with pre-schoolers when it comes to rational debate and political perspective. It is the same crowd that is impatient with the King and quick to find fault with his lack of progress.
My response is this: You all have been so conditioned to non-action by the parties over the last 10 years that you must have had high hopes for the King's takeover. Why else would you be so critical of the King after such a short period?
Face it. None of you would have even given a thought to criticising Girija for doing nothing over an 8-month period.
Pout and complain all you want; your days of power are over.
-=blogdai
Fully agree with you.
thank dai,
Any other thoughts? they would be most welcome.
-=blogdai
Lots of finger-pointing towards all things royal. What we need is for someone to assume responsibility for the errors of the 90's, apologize, and move forward.
Shouldn't someone apologize for all the years before that? By the way, the King is pretty much isolated. Even his former freinds in the business community are ticked off with him.
"Pout and complain all you want; your days of power are over"
You're joking right? You realize that Gyanendra's getting beaten from all sides? He's a goin' down, royal style.
That's what happens to Kings who try to change a history that has already left them behind. Now this fellow should just siddown, he's got a nice palace, but no, he wants to be the de facto center of power. Well, too bad. I say a year later, with world opinion and indeed, indeed, domestic opinion, pretty much against him, he'll be much tamed.
Everyone's pissed with him now. Hell, he had three years to do something and what has he come up with?
He's gone. He's finished. He's history. He needs to get the hell out soon, or events will do it for him.We'll have to close the book sometime now. And get his pet dogs to stop their barking. They don't scare anyone.
Go away and leave Nepal to What?
ARe you so impatient that you cannot see that G. or ANYONONE is better than the last ten years that saw incompetent and corrupt politicians run nepal into the ground?
The parties are looking for traction anywhere now. Perhaps we should just let India take over as these kow-towing meetings with Indian politicians seems to imply?
Where were you during the last 10 years. Were you calling for the government's head during the Lauda Air scandal? Were you telling Girija to step down because Maoists were strengthening?
Oooh, wee, king G. hasn't performed to your new found standards. Well, what do you suggest as an alternative?
Blogdai is tired of dealing with you impatients babies who want to hang G. for not saving the world in 8 months.
Read your history, not the Indian tabloids.
-=blogdai
King is the only person who is really serious about the contry and the people. All are opportunist. All they are crying for democracy is just to bring them up toward people and to earn name, fame and money. They dirty liers and those who are supporting the culprits are either they had enjoyed the power of those people or their relatives. They are like the villian of the Indian movies. Showing good face infront of people by telling people's power, but grabbing peoples' money from backside and crying to the world that they are for the people.
blogdai,
Partially i agree to your prescription and partialy do not. neither the so-called democratic leaders could deliver services like food, shelter, education, health and basic services. Those twelve years were for cronies and courtiers of party leaders. K-G has also not been successful in doing something in these past eight months either. He is again sorrounded by another type of cronies, it seems, who has no good wishes and sympathies for him. They seem to bent on destroying whatever credit he has with the rural people.
It seems, nothing works proper in Nepal. Maybe, Madhav and Bamadev by shaking hands with Maoists and G running after them will reslove the country's problems. Some day Mr. Karant (current) will come to deliver a speech on behalf of Bamdev, Madhab and Prachanda.
i like ur way of thinking... Anyway keep it up...
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