I was just composing this little note to the King of Nepal when today’s news that he was returning to Nepal’s capitol from his vacation made my note irrelevant:

Our own president finds that getting away to his ranch in Texas is a good way to catch his breath, gain some perspective, and relax. However, when big issues come up, he generally heads back to the capitol. Based on this, I offer this advice–When some of your closest friends are willing to comment to international reporters that you are destroying the country, or when you’ve managed to drive most of the country’s political leaders into talks with Maoist rebels, it’d probably be a great time to return to the capitol. Perhaps you’ll have better luck figuring out how to restore that democratic government you promised if you are on location.

The good news is–great minds must think alike! King Gyanendra headed back to Nepal’s capitol. The bad news–his friends think he’s ruining the country, the nation’s elected leaders are in talks with Maoist rebels… oh! and police and rioters have been clashing in ongoing violent protest. I guess it’s sure handy that he has his neighbors India and China to turn to for sound diplomatic advice or democracy-inducing tips.

For more balanced coverage of the story, read or listen to today’s report, Nepalese Political Parties Explore Links with Maoists.

Categories: General