Nepal Needs A Leader Like This!

I received the piece below today. I would be the first one to rage against any sort of discrimination - religious, ethnic, or linguistic. But John Howard has a point.

The essence of his view lies in this statement, "We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us."

The analogy to be drawn here with present-day Nepal is almost eerie. The "labeta suruwal" IS the national dress for men. Nepali IS the lingua franca of the land. Hindus make up the largest proportion of the population, around 70% (with Buddhists another 11%).

I am sick and tired of turning on the TV to see Hindi being spoken in the Constituent Assembly, and abhor those national leaders who have not a grain of nationalism in them as they parade around with dhotis or western suit and tie during official functions. Enough is enough! The current riots against the Government for not allocating funds for religious festivals indicate that we too are a country which believes in God - a Hindu God!! And let no one, atheistic communist or otherwise, forget this.

Horatio

Then Prime Minister, John Howard - Australia

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told on Wednesday to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday by saying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'

Maybe if we circulate this amongst ourselves, Nepali citizens will find the backbone to start speaking and voicing the same truths.