I think I'm Going To Kathmandu/That's Really, Really Where I'm Going To

So what's going on in the world? Oh, just a suddenly hot presidential election, renewed tensions with Russia, more violence in the Middle East and a complete and total meltdown of the financial markets. I could comment on those ... or I could link to a story about strippers.

Dang, you know me too well:

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Hundreds of disco workers protested in Kathmandu on Monday against a government crackdown on "nude dancing" in its bid to improve the deteriorating law and order.

Police have raided scores of discos, nightclubs and dance bars in the past two weeks and detained 1,500 people saying many were running bars where "nude dances" were performed, not allowed by law in the Hindu majority society.

There are hundreds of such night spots in the Kathmandu valley, although the country has no specific law to regulate them.

A Maoist-led government which took power in August has already ordered the bars should be closed an hour before midnight, to halt worsening public security in the capital, home to more than two million people.

Bar and disco operators are protesting the move would jeopardize their business and render 80,000 people jobless.

The AFP adds:

Protesters blew whistles and screamed slogans "Stop the crackdown on night workers" and "Down with government," as they rallied in Thamel, Kathmandu's tourist hub, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

Police watched the protesters but no one was arrested.

Hmm, now why would police just stand around and watch the girls ... ohh, yeah, right.

Don't Ever Get Married

Who doesn't like a good severed penis story? At TtP we sure do. This one today comes to us from the Philippines:

MANILA -- A housewife cut off her husband's penis while he was sleeping in their house in the Philippine capital to ensure his fidelity, a police officer said. Police officer Rolly Lipata said 37-year-old Lenly Bayabado had long suspected that her younger husband was having illicit affairs, prompting her to cut off his organ while he was asleep.

A slight overkill, but stump-dicking your husband will definitely ensure fidelity on his part.

Full, and very painful story here.

Sometimes Making a Sex Tape is Not Such a Good Idea

Malaysian Health Minister, Chua Soi Lek, was forced to resign after a sex tape depicted him and another women preforming the dirty deed was widely circulated in his home state the BBC reports. The videos were made in a hotel suite without Lek's knowledge or so he says.

Well actually it was not a tape, but a DVD. It is important to get a clear picture for such a production when I am sure it was done on a tight budget. Three cheers for the distributer, but next time lets hope for an international release.

South Korean Credit Cards a New Tool For Government Regulation

Many South Koreans use credit cards as a way to trim costs. These cards have nice incentives like airline miles, reward points, and tax rebates which Koreans use with prudence. Credit cards have also been encouraged by the government to regulate the flow of cash to fight corruption and the underground economy.

Come to think of it, I have never heard of a drug or arms dealer accepting Visa or MasterCard and I have done business with quite a few. Its a shame really, the underground economy is able to employ people in places that many businesses would not operate and form lasting friendships. Think of all the culture, love, and money that these people will lose. Story from The International Herald Tribune.

Musharraf Declares State of Emergency

Pakistani dictator/president Musharraf has declared a state of emergency and suspended the constitution. This action will not only damage his standing domestically, but internationally as well. It now becomes difficult for the United States to support him as his attempts to roll back democratic reforms that go against the Bush Doctrine. Story from the Washington Post.

I feel sorry for Condy getting a call at 2 a.m. These time zones need to go and everyone needs to get on the same schedule. Does it matter if people are up in the day or night hours? No one can delivery sound policy advance after being awoken from their slumber at 2 in the morning.

Weekend International Links

In attempt to broaden the appeal of To The People I have decided to post a story from the erudite USA Today. It looks as if President Musharraf will retain power in Pakistan pending final election results and a Supreme Court ruling.

China becomes the land of opportunity for Chadian citizens to dream about. The Washington Post

German Chancellor Merkel endorses 2010 World Cup preparations in South Africa. The Mail & Guardian

The Orange Bloc, lead by minx Yulia Tymoshenko, has gained control of the Ukrainian Parliament. The BBC

Mexican authorities seized 10 Tons of cocaine in Tampico. The LA Times

Bridging the 38th Parallel

South Korea should learn one thing from East and West German unification at the end of the Cold War. It is simple, that East Germany was the worst thing to happen to West Germany, end of story. The East is still lagging far behind the West. In Korea the divide is even greater and leaders are holding their second meeting. Korean leaders dream of a unified peninsula, but would this be good for the South? BBC reporting…

A Possible Change of Government in Myanmar

A New York Times story reports that protests against the authoritarian regime in Myanmar continue into the 8th day as Buddhist monks once again peacefully take to the streets. Why are their demonstrations succeeding? It’s the use of peaceful action. The government finds it to risky to brutally put down well organized pacifists, which could cause violent demonstrations by thousands more.

It is simple economics. The likelihood that an authoritarian regime will tolerate opposition increases as the costs of suppression increase. The cracks are beginning to form in Myanmar...