Deserved punishment

Saddam Hussein got exactly what he deserved. He’s been responsible for the death of tens of thousands of innocent people. But what to make of the worldwide condemnation of his

hanging? The general response would surely not have been the same if the charred and mutilated bodies of the innocent women and children killed under his regime had been shown on television as often as the US-sponsored trials.

Bereaved mothers and orphaned children will now be able to look, with hope and relief, to the future.

Sushil Sigdel, Naya Bazzar

Execution

Former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was hanged early on Saturday for his crimes against humanity. But how can hanging a person be justified no matter how heinous his crimes may be? If we are to apply the same methods as brutal dictators apply, what is the difference between dictators and lovers of democracy? Death sentence may inspire more people to take to criminal activities. Wouldn’t life sentence have been a better idea? Hate should

not be met with hate, but with love.

Hem Raj Basnet, JAM Campus

Gruesome

The photograph of a charred human body published on the December 30 issue of THT was likely to shock many. Responsible dailies should consider the people’s sentiment before publishing gruesome pictures. THT editors should exercise caution and better judgement in future while deciding on such sensitive matters. But THT also deserves kudos for its

excellent coverage of sports in 2006.

Roshan KC, Kuleshwor.

Anarchy

With almost every group taking law and order into its own hands, the country is fast deteriorating into anarchy. Students, doctors and dissatisfied patients — and virtually everyone — are taking to the streets to push their demands. Tyre burning, bandhs and strikes have become a daily fare. The plumes of smoke from burning tyres only make me wonder whether the unity witnessed during the Jana Andolan II has gone up in smoke as well. All this is due to the lack of good political leadership in the country. We are governed, not led, by a man who may be a political giant but who has neither the acumen nor the moral authority to be at the helm. His cabinet is a hodgepodge of tired old politicians who simply failed the test of political leadership during their twelve years in power.

Srijana Thapa, Tansen, Palpa

Neglected

The plight of street children at Thamel, the tourist hub of the capital, is miserable. They don’t have enough food to eat, clothes to wear and a place, except the streets, to sleep. Their neglected state has led them into bad habits like smoking, inhaling drugs and harassing the

pedestrians. The NGOs and INGOs formed to work for the welfare of children should pay some attention to them. The plight of many children in Thamel and elsewhere makes one

wonder where all the aid money that has poured into the country for the benefit of children may have gone. NGOs and INGOs should spend the bulk of the aid money on the welfare of

target groups than on salaries, field visits and other doubtful purposes.

Pradip Bhandari, Bagdole