Nepal is in the throes of a democratic revolution.

"We call upon people from all walks of life to take to the streets and bring everything in the capital and all across the country to a complete halt."

Where is President Bush and his pro-democracy agenda?

President George W. Bush and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger put aside their differences in a show of Republican solidarity on Friday after Bush approved federal help to shore up the state's fragile levee system.

"He is a really interesting man," Bush said of his fellow Republican. "He didn't have to run for office, but chose to do so and I admire that in you, I admire somebody who doesn't always take the comfortable way in life."

What a silly comment. Who has to run for the governorship? (Apparently, the elder Bush forced W to run in Texas, and perhaps Jeb to run in Florida.) Maybe the comment isn't so silly after all ...

Why doesn't CNN tell you about Bush's position on Nepal?

In a blunt message to Nepal’s King Gyanendra, the Bush administration has said he should return power to the parties and adopt a more ceremonial role in the political process.

"It is time for the King to return political power to the parties so they can appoint a prime minister and take over governance. It is time for the King to adopt a more ceremonial role and let the political process go forward," the assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asia, Mr Richard Boucher told reporters at a roundtable at the state department.

At the State web site:

The United States salutes the people of Nepal's courage and resilience in their struggle for democracy. We are pleased that King Gyanendra's message today made clear that sovereignty resides with the people. We expect the King to live up to his words, and allow the parties to form a government. We urge the parties to respond quickly by choosing a prime minister and a cabinet. The people of Nepal deserve a democratic government that can return stability and peace to their country. We urge all sides to refrain from violence to allow the restoration of democracy to take place swiftly and peacefully.

It's interesting that these statements are occurring only now, when protestors are in the streets. What did they have to say when it happened? Now they're saying:

"King Gyanendra's decision 14 months ago to impose direct palace rule in Nepal has failed in every regard."

As though the overthrow of democracy would have been OK if only he had been a more effective dictator.

In February 2005, when the K... [ Read More (0.4k in body) ]