Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW Vol. 5 Num 1115 Fri. July 20, 2007       Letters to Editor Reformists or conformists? Fyyaz Shahnoor, Australia It is with increasing discomfort that I watch the political scenario unfolding in Bangladesh. Yes, we needed a major overhaul and a shifting of priorities. Yes, we needed to name the names and prosecute the perpetrators of crimes. Kudos to the caretaker government for taking care of business. But at the same time we need leaders to point out the misgivings and fears of the general people. These days most politicians are hiding in the shadows, too afraid to be confrontational, lest they be incarcerated. Because almost everyone of them has, shall we say, very dubious credentials. Some have even opted to take on their traditional role of being sycophants, all over again. So when Sheikh Hasina, not that I am a great fan of hers, voices her suspicions, the (so called) reformists in the Awami League go "shh...don't rock the boat", I find it quite amusing. I ask the reformists, are you actually after democratic reforms or just an express train to the top by getting rid of obstacles? With these politicians destined to take over our governance again, I wish we had an alternative to democracy. Unfortunately, we don't have one. I guess we Bangladeshis are forever stuck with "Kana Mama", which is arguably better than "Nai Mama". Churchill hit the nail on the head when he said, "No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time."