Kyrgyzstan?

Apparently some wild things are going on in Kyrgyzstan; Askar Akayev has reportedly fled the country in the face of massive demonstrations, and the opposition has taken power.

I'm not sure what to make of this. In the first few years after the USSR broke up, as I recall, Akayev was pointed to as something of a democrat, but in the last few years he seemed to be working on presidency-for-life or, failing that, establishing a dynasty. On that basis, it's probably good to see the back of him. But from what I'm hearing the opposition isn't unified and may quickly turn to squabbling. There's been some good discussion at Obsidian Wings (which has become my favorite political blog - a good mix of left and right, with, in most cases, civil discourse, even in the comments).

I don't know, either, whether Kyrgyzstan has the kind of social institutions that can support a democracy. They can be built, if they're not there, but for the first while they can be awfully fragile. A lot can turn on the quality of the leaders who emerge - Robespierre or Washington, Mugabe or Mandela - and I don't know anything about the Kyrgyz opposition figures. We shall see.

Uh-oh

This evening, when I got home, Murphy was a little slow coming to the door to greet me. When I put food in his dish, he made no move to eat it; instead, he moved up close to me and put his head against my leg for petting. I stroked him and talked to him, trying to get him to eat some food from my hand, but he wouldn't take it. This is scary: the last time this happened, about a year and a half ago, he was gravely ill for two or three weeks. I got out some cheese and hand-fed it to him, and then left the kitchen. He started in on his food then, and he did finish it, but I'm still worried - he's moving very slowly and looking hangdog (well, more so than usual).

I'm going to see about getting him to the vet Saturday. (I hope I can get someone to give us a ride; Murphy's acting like it hurts to move, and that mile-long walk to the vet would not be a good idea.) Good thoughts, prayers, and what-have-you would be appreciated.