In the case of a word like DEMOCRACY, not only is there no agreed definition, but the attempt to make one is resisted from all sides. It is almost universally felt that when we call a country democratic we are praising it: consequently the defenders of every kind of régime claim that it is a democracy, and fear that they might have to stop using the word if it were tied down to any one meaning. Words of this kind are often used in a consciously dishonest way. That is, the person who uses them has his own private definition, but allows his hearer to think he means something quite different.
~George Orwell (Politics & the English Language)
With that in mind, it's clear that the word democracy has become one of the most abused and misunderstood terms in the world. If Crackpot Kim of North Korea can call his armpit of a state "Democratic People's Republic of Korea", and Communist China and Cuba can declare themselves democratic as well, what the heck does it mean??? Even in Bolehland, the BN rectal-swabs constantly claim to be custodians of democracy while the Opposition lambast them for undermining democracy.
So who's right? Who should we believe? In response to Hindraf's Rose Rally, Bodowi said "People who disrupt the elections do not respect the democratic process. When there is disorder, the people do not come out to vote for fear of getting caught in fights" (read it in Malaysiakini). The Grand Custodian of Bolehland Democracy seems very concerned that we fulfil our democratic rights.
Remember Zam Zam the Dumb Dumb? He's been uncharacteristically quiet for the past few weeks, no? more...
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