Letters To The Editor

American dilemma8226; VOTING has become more of a distraction from dealing with real problems confronting ordinary Americans, than a means ...

American dilemma

8226; VOTING has become more of a distraction from dealing with real problems confronting ordinary Americans, than a means of solving them. In their hearts, the majority of Americans 8212; no matter who they voted for 8212; know that their nation will most likely remain on the wrong track. Decades of empirical evidence have proved that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans will ever deliver in terms of democracy or, indeed, the economy 8216;Not by George8217;, IE, November 9. The majority of Americans believe the nation faces a leadership crisis. Being the only superpower is one thing. Being a functioning and exemplary democracy is something else entirely. The majority of Americans did not speak with their votes, thereby rejecting both the Democrats and the Republicans. That only 40 per cent bothered to vote this time shames the US and confirms to the American people that they have a delusional democracy.

8212;Sandeep Ghiya, Mumbai

City under siege

8226; THE article, 8216;How Delhi fell off the Master Plan8217; IE, November 10, provides amply a background on what is happening in Delhi today. The peaceful resumption of sealing also eloquently proves that the government, the political parties and the MCD were hand-in-glove with the traders. Having no instant escape route, the government appears to be bowing to the judicial order for the moment. But there are whispers about legalising the illegal trading outlets by annulling the Supreme Court order through an ordinance, or by enacting a legislation and incorporating it in the Ninth Schedule to escape judicial review. If the government, out of vote-bank politics, legalises the illegal commercial establishments in such a manner, it would be a betrayal of the rule of law.

8212;M.C. Joshi, Lucknow

Them and us

8226; WHILE appreciating the spirit of the two-part series by Arun Shourie on China IE, November 7-8, it has to be borne in mind that there are two fundamental differences between China and India and they make any comparison between the two countries irrelevant. First, the democratic set up of India is a big stumbling block in any fast track process as democratic governance inherently does not make for rapid action. The second hindrance is India8217;s predominantly religious and spiritual population who are discouraged by their mentors and holy books from pursuing a materialistic way of life. China has a distinct advantage over India in these two aspects and that is the major reason why it is ahead of India, both economically and militarily.

8212;G.S. Kulkarni, Delhi

Kashmir8217;s pain

8226; THE attack on the followers of Rashid Dawoodi during Friday prayers in the Grand Mosque at Tahab, as reported by your newspaper, made extremely painful reading 8216;Sufi prayers attacked in Valley, four children among five killed8217;, IE, November 11. This is not the first time that the state has witnessed intra-community killings and it comes as no surprise to learn that jihadi elements were behind it. The dastardly assault should come as a wake-up call to Kashmiris. It should remind them that the way of the gun and grenade is the way to perdition. Kashmiris need to ask themselves a question raised by Ghulam Nabi, a villager quoted in your report: 8220;Do we Kashmiris have to use violence to settled even our sectarian differences?8221;

8212;S. Mohammed, Mumbai