The government is being inflexible in dealing with the student protestors, and that is certainly not the wisest course. The images of students being tear-gassed, pushed around, and beaten will haunt the government for time to come. A wiser course through the talks is always available, and the government would do the country a great service by quickly taking it. The government doesn’t necessarily have to agree to any unreal demands; however, dialogue is the core of a democracy, and engaging students is the government’s duty.
