So, How's That Maoist Revolution Coming?

Kerry Howley | November 10, 2006

Nepal's communist rebels have agreed to lock up their weapons, sequester their soldiers, and join the country's interim government. If it holds, the deal would mean an end to ten years of insurgency.  But the government's newest supporters are already pissing off residents in Katmandu:

Hours after Wednesday's agreement was signed, hundreds of people blocked traffic and surrounded a communist office in the capital, Katmandu, to protest orders by the rebels that residents provide their supporters with shelter and food over the coming weekend.

The rebels plan to bring thousands of people to Katmandu for a mass rally Friday at which their top leaders are to speak.

Each Katmandu household will be forced to house, feed, and share awkward dinner table conversation with 10 ex-rebels this weekend.

Comments

|11.10.06 @ 11:45AM|#

You know, people wonder why was have the Third Amendement in this day and age.

Now we know.

(And knowing half the battle! GI JOE!)

|11.10.06 @ 11:46AM|#

"He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:

For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:"

'nuff said.

|11.10.06 @ 12:00PM|#

I heard Bob Segar and the Siver Bullet Band is the featured entertainment.

|11.10.06 @ 12:04PM|#

That's why I'm going to Katmandu,
up to the mountains where I'm going to.
If I ever get out of here,
that's what I'm gonna do.

In Michael Palin's Himalaya, a Gurkha recruiter got nabbed by the Maoists while Palin and his crew were there. Nobody got hurt, and the nabbees were returned in a day or two, but it really showed how big a deal this "revolution" is in Nepal.

|11.10.06 @ 12:07PM|#

This is exactly like what Homer Simpson warned us about.

|11.10.06 @ 12:21PM|#

And along with the Third Amendment, we have the Second. I don't think any 'rebels' would like staying overnight (err...over part of the night) in my house.

madman|11.10.06 @ 12:21PM|#

I am from Nepal and now living in good ol' usa. US should bomb the hell out of these scums call moists. I would support that war any day.

madman

|11.10.06 @ 12:22PM|#

FinFangFoom,

No worries. I have this Maoist-repelling rock to protect us.

R C Dean|11.10.06 @ 12:39PM|#

a Gurkha recruiter got nabbed by the Maoists while Palin and his crew were there. Nobody got hurt, and the nabbees were returned in a day or two

Probably because the Maoists realized how incredibly stupid it is to have Gurkhas pissed off at you.

|11.10.06 @ 12:47PM|#

R C Dean,

I figured it happened because they knew the BBC was there, and, even if they were inclined to violence, wanted to look like the good guys by returning everyone intact. The main guy they took was an English recruiter, too, so that may have affected the outcome. No point pissing off the Brits.

|11.10.06 @ 12:55PM|#

Pro Libertate,

Can I buy your rock?

|11.10.06 @ 1:03PM|#

Sure, but only with specie to go with your specious reasoning.

|11.10.06 @ 1:07PM|#

Thanks, honey.

Kunal|11.10.06 @ 2:23PM|#

>> Probably because the Maoists realized how incredibly stupid it is to have Gurkhas pissed off at you.

Uh, Neplai Maoists are Gurkhas.

R C Dean|11.10.06 @ 2:27PM|#

Kunal - not really:

The main fighting and support forces consist of Magars, Tharus, Janjatis (Gurungs, Rais, Limbus, Tamangs, Dalits, Brahmins and Chhetris, the last two also providing the political and military leadership). Among the Maoist fighters - about 60 per cent - are deployed in the mid-west and west in their strongholds. Another 10 per cent are in the far west with around 10 percent in Gorkha, the rest is located in Kathmandu valley and east of it.

|11.10.06 @ 10:02PM|#

Wow, I've spent so much time following Terry Gilliam's work that I hadn't the foggiest idea what Palin had been up to - thanks, PL, for the goldmine.

|11.11.06 @ 7:59PM|#

Rich Ard,

I highly recommend Palin's books and shows on his adventures. Strange, in a way, that a brilliantly funny fellow like that could be so good at this. All of the Python guys have talents beyond comedy, though. Terry Jones did a very nice series on the Crusades, for example.

It was funny watching Palin's interview with the Dalai Lama. I swear that the Lama is a Python fan--when Palin first meets him in the greeting line, it seems like the Dalai Lama recognizes him. That's big time clout :)

Palin's current project is traveling around Eastern Europe.