Isolated Freak - LOL, you can't build democratic institutions without democracy. Free press, representative rulers, independent judiciary *are* institutions of democracy and they need a democratic environment to nurture them. If Gyanendra began his direct rule by trying to shut people's mouths, I find it hard to believe he will be keen to give these rights back soon. Also, since you so stronlgy feel he will restore free speech, I have to ask you this - will you fight him if he doesn't? What recourse will people who disagree with the King have in this new order? Guns? Street protest? Or silence - which I am sure His Majesty and his supporters will prefer :) ------------------------------------------------- "Honey, I hit you because I love you" " People, I took away your rights only to safeguard them"