>>>>I do NOT "know that the maalik "is an honourable man". >>>>I have NEVER said anything like that. >>>>Please quote me accurately, and do NOT put words in my mouth. If you think this is a misrepresentation, then I apologize and retract my statement. >>>>Broadly, I am interested in understanding the answers to these questions: With the maalik doing this and that since Oct >>>>2002, why haven't the Nepali janataharu rallied around the political parties to fight for their share of democracy? And >>>>what could be done to make the Nepali janata rally around for democracy? >>>>With the maalik doing this and that since Oct 2002, why haven't the Nepali janataharu rallied around the political >>>>parties to fight for their share of democracy? This is because of people like you and me who know very well what the maalik is doing is crass and downright evil yet lack the audacity to raise our fingers. Instead we try to rationalize his irrationality in the name of nationality and finality. >>>>My answer to the first question is: To most janata, it appears that the netas' corrupt ways are more vividly imprinted on >>>>their minds than the maalik's errant ways (which are, supported by long-entrenched institutional mechanisms). Few >>>>Nepalis, at this point, appear interested to fight for democracy if that means getting GPK et al back in the saddle >>>>again. I think you misplaced the words corrupt and errant. The Maalik is corrupt while netas are errant. You yourself wrote above "maalik's errant ways ( which are supported by long-entrenched institutional mechanisms)". Isn't corruption a systematic, persistent pattern of wrong doing propped by several mechanisms (political, cultural, legal etc.) ? So why this euphemism (errant and not corrupt) for the maalik? On the other hand, netas behavior can be regarded as errant as they have started to realize their mistakes and repent their missed opportunity (although yet to start purifying their karma). Most important of all, the maalik is always exploiting his long-entrenched institutional mechanisms to deliberately err while netas are relying on their ability to lie to people. Now tell me which one is more severe? >>>>Meantime, compared to the muddle coming out of political parties, the king's message -- however wrong -- appears to be >>>>clearer to most people in these confusing times when people seek comfort in the familiar. [This is like, to use an >>>>analogy, blue-collar workers in America voting for Bush -- just because he's got a simple, clear message -- even when >>>>Bush's policies end up hurting those very workers' interests the most!] The maalik is simply maachha maaring in dhamilo paanimaa. Not that he has any clear message. He has arms, ammunitions and the heart of Macbeth. People are not confused. People being people are simply helpless. So do not confuse them by saying that they are confused. >>>>My answer to the second question is: It's time for democrats like you and me to WREST the definition of democracy from >>>>these netas (who are unwilling to leave the stage, and who have become liabilities in the fight for democracy), and start >>>>creating and crafting coherent, credible and personal stories about democracy, and then take those messages to the janata >>>>in our own small ways. This is why, merely chanting, text-book style, that parties make up the lifeblood of democracy and >>>>that they ought to be respected is not going to get anyone's attention for long in Nepal at this stage. Ok, I accept this but how about the maalik's errant ways (which are, supported by long-entrenched institutional mechanisms)? Should we tolerate him as "to err is human, to forgive divine"? But the maalik is divine and the netas are ordinary mortals. Therefore, Netas can err but the maalik should forgive. Why the other way round? I am confused. Now can you help me here, Ashu? >>>>Of course, in the spirit of free and frank discussion, BOTH my answers are fully OPEN to criticisms and further comments, >>>>though I won't be around Sajha for a long time from July 1 onward. Do I see a connection between July 1 and February 1? I hope there is not :) ****** You write: "What has Mukarung accomplished by writing this poem?" >>>>He's a poet. >>>>He expressed his opinions through a poem. >>>>Something about the way he expressed his thoughts touched me -- a Nepali. >>>>Can I not express my heartfelt joy at that? I am a witch, you fell prey to my wit :)) >>>>As a so-called "efficiency/profit/success-oriented thinker" (truth be told, my life is a lot more complicated than this >>>>easy characterisation, but never mind) Remove the fuzziness that you so craftily craft around your thoughts and writings. Truth is always simple. Yes, truth can be gray but falsity is always black. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>Mukarung remains an EXPLOITED Nepali poet -- Mukarung is underpaid because he writes for Bise and Not Biste. +++++++++++++++++