Granting the 2008 Olympics to Beijing was a mistake that will haunt the Olympic movement for decades to come

Congratulations to Nepal for voting to become a republic and abolish the monarchy which had in recent years sent this beautiful Himalayan country into chaos!

Today's Constituent Assembly vote of 560-4 signals lasting change and a hope for greater peace in one of the world's poorest countries.

Details below the fold.

Although I'd love to know more about the political forces in the country, I will, ostensibly, extend a hardy congratulations to the (new) Republic of Nepal, which, after 239 years, has finally abolished its monarchy. (I mean, for all I know, it could be "fascist anarchists" who populate that countries parliament.)

This diary is cross-posted to my blog, where I've posted photos from the Krakow march and one of Nepal's new gay assemblymember.

The dialog was ridiculed far and wide in the blogosphere, showing how inept Bush regime toadies were.  Bush regime national security adviser Stephen Hadley "mixed up" Nepal and Tibet during an interview with George Stephanopolous on Sunday.

But was it a mistake?

You've got to hand it to the traditional media because their job truly is hard work.  If giving themselves whiplash from looking the other way when John McCain constantly confuses Sunnis with Shiites wasn't enough, now they're having to clean up transcripts when yet another Bush administration official proves that he's an idiot.  Via Atrios:

An April 13 Associated Press article on national security adviser Stephen Hadley's appearances on that day's episodes of ABC's This Week, and Fox Broadcasting Co.'s Fox News Sunday, during which he discussed President Bush's decision to attend the opening ceremonies of the summer Olympics in Beijing, reported: " 'The whole issue of opening ceremonies is a nonissue,' Hadley said. 'I think it is a way of dodging what really needs to happen if you're concerned about' Tibet." In fact, Hadley said on This Week, "This whole issue of opening ceremonies is a nonissue. I think it is a way of dodging what really needs to happen if you're concerned about Nepal"

And for anyone thinking, come on, we all misspeak now and then, Hadley didn't say it once, he said it repeatedly.  But hey, kudos to the Associated Press for cleaning up after the administration...God knows they wouldn't want to mess up any perceptions the American people might have about Bush & Company.

Ah yes, isn't democracy is wonderful?.. Let the people decide on their leaders..fantastic idea.

On Thursday, Nepal held its own democratic elections to choose members to an assembly that will write a new constitution, one that will do away with the monarchy among other things.

So far the results have been a shock for many:

Former communist rebels picked up more seats Sunday in an assembly that will shape Nepal's political future, extending their lead in early election returns.

The Maoists -- labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S. -- secured 61 seats out of 115 in constituencies where counting was complete and were leading in most other areas where votes were still being tallied, the Election Commission said.

Ooops!

Ok, this is really weird. Today, Bush National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley was on Fox talking about whether Bush would boycott the Olympics' opening ceremony, and talked about the issue of "Tibet." Later the same morning he went on ABC and discussed the same issue, but he consistently talked about "Nepal."

(As Think Progress and CrooksandLiars point out, these are 2 distinct places.) Very curious -- is Hadley just a moron? Or is there some diplomacy reason that someone would tell him to actively switch from "Tibet" to "Nepal" between shows?

Video below. Full video of both shows are here.

On "This Week" today, Bush's security adviser Stephen Hadley made a pretty glaring gaffe. When asked about President Bush's plans to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing, Hadley responded by talking about the trouble between China and Nepal. Say what?

Apparently he has no idea what is going in with the Chinese human rights violations taking place in Tibet and makes the error not once, but repeatedly.

What's the saying? People in free societies get the government they deserve...? Something like that.

If the entire state of New York were flooded, then about as many people would be displaced as the current flooding in South Asia.  In India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, about 20 million have been uprooted from their homes, and the death toll is now approaching 200.

At first, this looked looked like a severe weather event not too out-of-the-ordinary for the monsoon season.  After all, a third of Bangladesh is usually under water at this time every year (CIA World Factbook).  But as the rainy day streak has now stretched to 20, the descriptions have turned dire:

"some of the worst floods for years"

"In some areas, the floods are being called the worst in living memory." [BBC, first link]

They might as well get used to them, because, unless things change, the world won't be able to reach the emissions targets necessary to render unlikely the increases in flooding climate change models suggest for the low-lying areas of South Asia.

BBC and Nepalese news reports that the Nepalese King's allowance has been "unceremoniously scrapped":

Nepal's government has stopped paying an allowance to King Gyanendra and other members of the Royal Family.

Nepal's government is determined to further reduce King Gyanendra's influence and status, and has made him pay tax for the first time.

There was simply no mention in this year's budget to his family's annual allowance. It has been unceremoniously scrapped.

It's encouraging to see a legislative body making bold moves.  Could such a thing occur in Great Britain as well?

Welcome to the Overnight News Digest.

A big thanks to Sidof79 who edited last night's digest and best wishes to him on his graduation day.

Top Stories

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• Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson obliterated Sean Hannity at a University of Utah Debate on Impeachment.

I wasn’t sure the day would ever come that I’d write a diary on dkos.  I’m frankly intimidated by the great writers here, and unsure that I can rise to the challenge of producing something that will interest you.

This week, however, two things happened to make me dare to try.  First, was a vivid diary about May Day in Nepal that garnered some attention and made me want to share my perspectives more than was possible there.  And second, was an incident that occurred (not unusual in type, but extreme in severity, at least here in Kathmandu), that is still, some six days later, troubling me greatly.  If you follow me below the fold, I’d like to share it with you, as a way of illustrating my deep concern about the Maoist movement in Nepal, and my frustration with those among my compatriots on the left who too are too eager, in my view, to paint them as noble freedom fighters for the people.

I didn't come to Kathmandu to investigate the Maoist rebellion or the birth pangs of a new republic, but to renew my Indian visa and spend a few days in the cool air of the Himalaya. I've been reading the local English language newspapers since arriving last week (my favorite article so far was a sarcastic put-down of the US ambassador for characterizing GW Bush as one of the global giants of environmentalism). The amount of Maoist activity they describe is surprising, particularly the "bandhs", or strikes, called by the rural Maoists that have effectively closed the rest of the country off from Kathmandu. The lead article in the Kathmandu Post on Saturday was an interview with the leader of the Maoists, now part of the interim government. He was clear in his demand - the interim government must declare Nepal a republic by May 15, or there will be consequences for Nepal's recent peaceful facade.

This morning I noticed, in passing, that it was May 1st. Hmm.  Mayday. Maoists. It could be interesting, I mentioned to my wife.  

Crossposted from SmokeyMonkey.org.

Apparently the recent talks between Nepal's parliamentary leaders and the rebel Maoist leaders went well.  Today they announced that the government would be dissolved and a new one, which is to include the Maoists, will be created within one month.

[BBC News]  The move was announced in the capital, Kathmandu, after landmark talks between rebel leader Prachanda and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

I have written previously about the recent events in Nepal.  In People Power Wins in Nepal I expressed my doubts about the Maoists, as they were unhappy with the proposal to reform parliament.  They had been working for a constitutional assembly.  It appears that, too, has been resolved.

I hope you enjoy the second weekly Top Ten List of Good News, produced especially for my friends at Daily Kos. I hope you enjoy, (recommend) and look forward to next Friday's list...

1)   UK Paper Donates Revenue from Bono/AIDS Edition to Africa Fight

Half of all revenues from the May 16 issue of the UK paper, the Independent, will go towards the fight against AIDS in Africa. The paper, guest edited by U2 rocker and activist Bono, sold out within hours and became an instant collectors' item. All the articles featured the AIDS issue, which Bono laments is missing in other mainstream media that apparently require rock stars to motivate their coverage of the facts:  "6,500 people die in Africa every day from a preventable, treatable disease (AIDS/HIV)."

2)   Israel Opens Crossing to Gaza Eases Crisis

Israel made a decision to open the main cargo crossing to the Gaza strip for the first time in several months out of humanitarian concerns....

What's Happening in Nepal

I've been surprised by the lack of diaries about what has been happening in Nepal. Its gotten some coverage in the corporate media, but the analyses are often so skewed that it is impossible to get an accurate picture of what is happening.

The single best source of information I've found is: http://www.insn.org/ operated by the International Nepal Solidarity Network. Banned in Nepal (always a good sign) it carries news from a wide variety of sources along with often passionate comments by readers of similarly varied outlooks.

Nepal, a 'Nation' on the Planet Earth, is celebrating Freedom today. For years the Kingdom Of Nepal has undergone a Monarchial Power Transition that at times got very bloody, with 14 protetors killed since April 6th and a history of violence in the past couple of years.

Today we too celebrate this Triumph Of Freedom!!! Only history will tell us what role Nepals Brave Ponies played in this Revolution, but of course We in the Pony Patrol (I give up!) know that many tales of Pony Heroism and Sacrifice will not be reported in the Traditional Media!!! Its up to US to spread the word and to REJOICE! Freedoms' Triumph anywhere makes Freedoms Triumph everywhere less time consuming!SO KICK UP YOUR HEELS!!!!
thanks rjo