"Congress party wins Indian elections; Marathon poll ends in 2d term for incumbent" by Emily Wax, Washington Post | May 17, 2009
NEW DELHI - The results of marathon five-phase polls in this nation of 1.2 billion people defied analysts' predictions that regional and smaller parties would outdo the two main parties. The poorest showing was for the once powerful communist party and others that had rejected the US civilian nuclear deal, along with those that had been slow to embrace economic reforms that have helped India's international status soar.
Oh, I NEVER LIKE hearing that!
See:
Stolen Elections: 2000
Stolen Elections: 2004
Stolen Elections: 2006
Experience, readers.
A key US ally, India faces security concerns over rising instability in South Asia and is surrounded by unstable countries, including Pakistan, where the Taliban's reach is spreading; Nepal, where a Maoist-led government has collapsed; and Sri Lanka....
Well, Sri Lanka has been taken care of, no?
Here is the constituency that put them over the top:
"Young politicos stirring a democracy; Child parliament sets an example" by Emily Wax, Washington Post | May 17, 2009
VARANASI, India - .... "I was called recently because a 2-year-old girl didn't have enough food. She ended up dying," said the fourth-grader, who appears grave beyond his years with his neatly parted, wavy brown hair and ramrod-straight posture....
With its passionate leaders and reputation for prompt action, the four-member children's parliament is not just a cute idea. It has become an example of honest, functional politics, and the excitement it inspires contrasts sharply with the disillusionment that many adults here say they feel about their politicians.
They aren't alone!
And WHAT is with the 2-YEAR-OLD DYING of STARVATION, huh?
Turnout in India's monthlong elections hovered below 60 percent, surprising many pundits, who had predicted that text-message campaigns, campus rallies and voter drives by Bollywood stars would propel more people to the polls. Analysts say that many Indians deeply mistrust their political representatives, who are often referred to as "bahubalis" - strongmen.
That's "democracy?"
Nearly a quarter of the 543 elected members of Parliament have been charged with crimes, including rape and murder, according to the New Delhi-based Association for Democratic Reforms.
Oh my gosh; their politicians are worse than ours -- well, sort of; ours are funding mass-murdering wars.
The children's parliament promotes social diversity, as well.
Agenda-pushing code word!
Last year, Tazim, who is from a Muslim family of sari weavers, was elected along with an 8-year-old Hindu girl who worked as a ragpicker. The members meet every Sunday and hold monthly meetings at which thousands of children often show up....
Oh, I like this kind of diversity!!!
--more--"See: Quotes That Make Me Cry
Of course, then they go and soil the guy's name:
"Gandhi scores improbable political coup with her party in India; Seeks allies for new government" by Somini Sengupta, New York Times | May 18, 2009
NEW DELHI - .... A stunning political coup. Her Indian National Congress party made its best performance in 25 years in the parliamentary elections completed last week....
Why does rig job suddenly enter my head?
Gandhi has said she joined politics to save the legacy of the party, which her husband's family has been associated with since before independence....
Why no mention of the ANTIVIOLENCE, ANTIWAR Gandhi, NYT?
You site Suu Kyi and the Dalai Lama enough.
--more--"
