The Dinner Guest Another damn poem!

Ode to Sisyphus in Love Forget poetry. Express yourself in prose.

Salman, Padma, Fatwa This is the first time I have heard of Ms Lakshmi. It would have helped if her photo had been printed with the article.

The Burden of Virginity I can only comment retrospectively as I have been married for 10+ years. It would not matter. After 10 years of regular sex with my wife, there are more important things. Sex is still interesting but now it is no longer a top priority.

The Case for De jure Legalization Cheers! I`ll drink to your proposal. All power to you.

In Defence of Benevolent Dictators Well, I agree with your basic thesis but I wish you had not glossed over Zia`s regime. It was as bad as anything that followed it. Worse, because it corrupted politicians through political loans and today we have a totally bankcrupt economy as a result.

Farce The general may or may not deliver. But what is certain is that Nawaz did not deliver and there was no hope of his ever doing so.

What is it that Pakistanis want? Could not agree with you more. What we need is a better standard of living for the average Pakistani - that is obvious. But the problem is that we expect a ruler to deliver it to us without our doing anything to deserve it. Developed nations keep a check on their rulers while we expect our rulers to self regulate themselves. I am afraid unless we change our approach towards our rulers, things will not change for better.

He had no Choice! I would like to ask RhooiAD if she is related to the Sharifs. The venom she spews against General Musharraf can have no other explaination. If democracy does not work we try dictatorship, if dictatorship does not work, we again give democracy a shot. Ten tears of democracy has not given us a better life so it is now time to try dictatorship. What good did three years of Nawaz`s mis- rule do? Name just one aspect of our lives which is better because of Nawaz. If the general saved us from wasting another two years then all power to him. Statistically, we are due a leader who will deliver so let us wait for a few months and see. And if does not deliver then don`t worry: dear Nawaz and his cronies and BB and her cronies will no doubt be ready to reappear and loot us further

Deprivation I have no idea about what you are trying to say. But good luck anyway.

cheers