The wounded US beast identifies itself - in an awful, chauvinistic, xenophobic and racist way - as the cradle of civilization and democracy. The US proclaims its symbols and its cities to be untouchable, almost sacred. In order to assert their rule once again, they are cynically using the grief and anger of the American people for their victims in order to unleash, through the bombing of Afghanistan and their global war against so-called ‘terrorism’, a war and a crusade against all the oppressed peoples, all those who are fighting for liberation, and all the nations not aligned with them.

By means of their weaponry and violence they aim to impose their iron rule in the service of profit and the masters of finance and industry, the oil barons and warlords. All the imperialist states, whether guided by rightist or “leftist” governments, have joined this imperialist, war-mongering, fascist crusade.

The US has always waged low intensity warfare, and now they want to do this in an unprecedented way and to have it recognized as the legitimate self-defense of ‘Western civilization’.

The men who bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, who waged war on Vietnam, Iraq and Yugoslavia, killing millions of people, those who
slaughtered 500,000 communists in Indonesia, who plotted coups like that in Chile, who created death squads in Guatemala and other countries, who have placed CIA-marked bombs in the cities of their own allies to shore up pro-US governments, those who have backed, armed and financed the daily massacre of Palestinians by the Israeli Zionists, now more than ever want to continue doing so. In the name of the struggle against ‘terrorism’ they want to impose IMPERALIST TERROR.

Let me just say, not that I have had opportunity to sit through Roy’s speech nor go through some of her popular literary works yet; there’s an aura about this lady (the pictures help in that regard) that is pretty difficult to overlook, which gets further substantiated by some pretty persuasive arguments she makes regarding democracy and all that jazz—especially the rights of the disenfranchised (not specifically found here), whether those be in relation to ‘Narmada Bachao Abhiyan’ or George Bush’s earlier visit to India.

So far, of all previous columns and posts recent, I find this the most intriguing. Perhaps there is this intrinsic value attached to the idea of democracy today that, to view it from an angle that is slightly skewed—my perspective that is, is to absorb the idea around ones own definition of democracy—which is to say, individuality almost seems to be an obstacle to ‘true nature’ of democracy at most times than considered otherwise. That’s right; the thought is so counter-intuitive that I feel I have been duped by the big machine all this time.

In my humble opinion, achieving true democracy is almost like finding that perfect equilibrium on all three levels of human existence—social, political and economic that, even from scientific point of view which, generally accepts that things are always in flux, almost seems unattainable to me concerning the idea of democracy also. I mean, it is—democracy such a dynamic process that to keep it functional at ‘optimal’ level is almost calling for a utopian society. Then again, readers need not mind me; I am generally a damn pessimist when it actually comes down to making things work in perfect harmony.

Thus, the elemental fact of the matter remains, whether true or real democracy is in fact attainable in our lifetime, or anybody else’s, and to read a review that actually poses some fundamentally head-scratching questions itself rather than attempt to answer the paradox in her own terms—our own Nepali Arundhati leaves us in perpetual mystery regarding ideal of grand nature.

In the Nepalese context, politicians, who never had a popular base worth the name, appear to have deluded themselves into believing they are national heroes and defenders of democracy. Mistaking the Maoist sponsored crowds on Kathmandu’s streets in the April ra- ra revolution as sign of genuine mass support, the politicians seem to believe that the Maoists can be outwitted. That explains the current spell of competitive radicalism. The Maoists, meanwhile, are grinning from ear to ear.

Meanwhile, Stratfor is of the opinion that Nepal is likely headed toward even more difficult times with the probable change of its entire political system, from multi party democracy to communism. If current trends are unchanged, the chaos could ultimately lead to the government’s collapse and the potential victory for the Maoist insurgents.

This would indeed give a dramatic advantage to China’s geopolitical position on the continent while causing major problems for India by way of tipping the balance in China’S favor.

This would allow for establishment of Chinese surveillance and listening posts in Nepal . Of course, India would be forced to counter Nepal’s apparent slide toward China.

So Aitaraj, you think there will be an October revolution like Dear Leader Prachanda “threatened” (if that’s a good word)?

o! chap in first row,
is that your own comment!

I mean, it is—democracy such a dynamic process that to keep it functional at ‘optimal’ level is almost calling for a utopian society

I think the large number of people(i am not saying you do) misunderstand democracy because they forget that it is separate from truth, good, or veracity. Democracy has killed millions, left out a single person’s desire, and has been severely racist. Yes, I am talking about America. And it all happened when democracy in america was functioning at an optimal level. Because democracy only works at an optimal level. It can be argued that even the act of low turnout in elections is an act of democracy.

democracy has no fixed laws, only laws that have many flaws which can be argued for ages. and the statement that defines democracy is woven with human nature. The definition of democracy is: truth will only emerge after people argue, fight or destroy. and inside this definition of democracy there is no place for a utopian society. That is the second why democracy is not for every country, The first one being, if people are not able to practice democracy at an optimal level it will not work.

you can download Arundhati’s interviews at speeches at http://www.cryaboutit.com/deaddog/GreatThinkers/arundhati_roy.htm enjoy!