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Pakistani opposition leader and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto has been killed in a presumed suicide attack at an election rally in Rawalpindi near the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. So that’s what we’ll be talking about today – talking to terrorists will have to wait for another day (possibly tomorrow).
As for today – how will you remember Benazir Bhutto? With elections due on January 8 what does the killing mean for Pakistan? Join the discussion at 1800 GMT.
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I hope she is remembered as the narcissist that she was, who didn’t care for the over lives she endangered because she only cared about power. How many people were blown up since her return from exile because she was there? She didn’t care, she only wanted power. It doesn’t excuse the the terrorists, but it’s like people who blame the US policies for terrorism. If you can blame the US for the reactions of crazies, then I can blame Bhutto for putting herself in a position where crazies were going to kill people, when she didn’t have to put herself in that position. Would you? If you knew that people would get killed because you went some place, would you go to that place? Then again, I’m not a totally self absorbed megalomaniac like she was.
How mentally ill do you have to be to want to lead Pakistan? It’s a sure way to be deposed in a coup if you’re lucky, or get assasinated. I’d rather be homeless in Brazil than be the leader of Pakistan. But then again, this is just evidence of how corrupting and desirable power is for mentally ill people. Ever see the Mirror episode of the Twilight Zone? Why would you ever want power if you always have to look over your shoulder? Because you are mentally ill.
What a shame on those that carry out this act. I am so shocked and hurt about this cowardly act. what can one resolve with such a desprate attack. I highly admired that lady who spoke out with such boldness, and was ready to return to her country against all ods. I will remember her for her bravery.We are sorry, and our heart goes out to the family.
POOR STEVE
Sorry Raymond, but my narcissism has gotten NOBODY killed in my lifetime. how many did bhutto get killed from her desire for power? Funny how narcissists will defend other narcissists because of how you think the world revolves around you.
Hi to all my good friends in WHYS! Hi to all WHYS good listeners! Mrs.Bhutto is the latest(and won’t be the last) member of the cravan of the personalities who have been victims of their own personal ambitions to reach power! The one who has assassinated Mrs.Bhutto is her own irresponsible ambitions to reach power! Sadly so many innocent people have died in order to satisfy Mrs.Bhutto’s personal power ambitions, which then have killed Mrs.Bhutto herself! With my love! Lubna!
I saw Bhutto speak at a Harvard Commencement, one of a handful of people who came to see her despite cold, wind, and pouring rain. She was as poised as if she were speaking at a state dinner. Although certainly controversial, she was a woman to be admired for her intelligence, courage, and groundbreaking leadership.
If you believe that Benazir Bhutto is irresponsible and selfish just because she put her life on the line to promote democracy, then are you saying the same of Martin Luther King, Gandhi, and every other leader ever assonated in the name of a good cause? Isn’t the description of people getting blown up because of her desire to spread democracy the same you can apply to a US soldier? Why would she be there in her own country trying to promote better government? It is her country!! Why would an American travel 1/2 way around the world to do the same thing for people that he would curse and refer to with derogative names back home? Hey you know who else lead his people in an attempt to make the place better and was executed because of it? If you say “Jesus Christ” you would be right on the money. If more people were willing to put their lives on the line for the sake of their people, then we wouldn’t need to be in the Middle East.
If Pakistan is such a hot bed of instability, then why does the US let them have Nuclear weapons? There are far more stable regions in the world that are under threat of US actions because of just their perceived desire to have a nuclear weapon 20 years in the future.
I say live on Benazir Bhutto. May your life and death serve to show what a true martyred is. May they inspire the masses to want something better?
Pakistan is too immature of a nation to have nuclear weapons. If Musharaff doesn’t give them up before he is deposed by Islamists, then I think they should be forceably removed. Anyone who disagrees, please volunteer your city for nuclear destruction. Pakistan is a failed state, failed states cannot be trusted with such powerful weapons due to the instability inherent in failed states.
Pakistan democracy showing its true colours as usual.
I hope the filthy cowards that orchestrated this inhuman assassination of Benazir Bhutto are hunted like dogs. Her politics may have been flawed, but she never endorsed violence like this.
Steve… Show a little respect for someone that wanted to make a REAL change. Are you a Republican? I’m betting yes. If so you should go put garbage like your last post on Rush Limbaugh’s pay site. I’m sure he’d get a laugh from your heartless remark.
I’ve met plenty of mentally ill people. From what I’ve heard out of you, it sounds like you have an antisocial personality disorder with a twist of psychosis.
Poor Steve.
Ken
A narcissist? Most likely the truism holds here. But what of it? She merely joins Elizabeth I, Nehru, Lincoln, Sitting Bull, Mandela, Mao, Churchill, Moctezuma, and “Uncle Joe” as one suffciently foolish or mad or ruthless to seek or accept leadership or power. As deeply flawed as she was, Benazir Bhutto’s death is a victory for nihilism, a cause for rejoicing for those around the world bent on theocracy and divinely-inspired horror. Once again, a woman who dared to be a human, who stood — however faltingly — against misogyny, poverty, and the innate terrorism of religious zeal of any stripe, has been put “in her place”. So then, it is easier to dismiss Ms. Bhutto as just another narcissist. In so doing we can pretend to minimize the despair. Farewell, Ms. Bhutto. Thank you for your unfinished life. As for the rest of us, nothing good will come of this.
Today is a very dark day for Pakistan. Even though I am not a Pakistani (I reside in Australia) I can feel for the people of Pakistan and hope that they eventually receive a ruler they want and deserve. Though claims of corruption surrounded Bhutto, worse has been said about Musharraf. Good luck Pakistan, for today is your darkest day.
You know Steve, if we hadn’t been mucking around in the middle east for so long with bad ambitions, the situation wouldn’t be as volatile. If we hadn’t lost billions of dollars in cash in Iraq, we might have been able to put that towards the development of a viable National Security system that would alleviate your alarmist paranoia.
Ken in Cleveland
Will US troops now enter Pakistan and seize the nukes before the terrorist grab them? Good or bad she was a leader to many. Why wasn’t she better protected? More questions than answers, I am afraid. May G-d have mercy on her soul. R.I.P.
Ken, you are missing some neurons if you think Bhutto was there for democracy or change. She was there SOLELY out of ambition, she was from a family of narcissists who looted Pakistan for their own personal gain. Do you people know anything about people you are sitting their praising? She was completely self absorbed and power hungry. She didn’t want real change, she wanted POWER. When will people world wide realize that their policians are nothing but a bunch of self serving narcissists? I’m not a republican, I’m a democrat.
I have antisocial personality disorder because I’m sick of self aborbed people putting their ambitions over the lives of others? How many OTHER people were killed at that rally? How many people will killed in the previous attempts to kill her? Sorry, my ambitions haven’t gotten anyone else killed, and if I knew my ambitions were going to lead to the deaths of innocent people, I would put my ambitions on the back burners. Narcissists don’t, they care about nothing except what they want. That you defend monsters like this can only mean you are a narcissist yourself. No doubt of Generation ME! How old are you Ken? Do you drive a massive SUV because you want one? Do you throw a tantrum if you don’t get what you want?
STEVE THIS PLATFORM IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO TAKE OVER AND VOICE YOUR DISCONTENT WITH WOMAN IN POWERFUL POSITION, YOU HAVE MADE YOUR STATEMENT TWICE, NOW CRAWL BACK INTO YOUR SHELL OR FIND YOUR PLACE WITH THE FEW WHO WILL GO AT LENGTH IN THIER IDIOTIC BELIEVE THAT DEATH AND TAKING THE LIFES OF OTHERS WILL DERAIL DEMOCRACY. PLEASE DONT MENTION MY NAME AGAIN I BEG U
Steve: you really should be ashamed of your comments, which are unworthy of anyone with a claim to be a civilised person.
If nothing else, Ms Bhutto was courageous. But her death shows that courage is not always enough, and some situations are probably beyond all hope of improvement. Pakistan’s fate is to be talibanised, whether or not that’s what most of its people want. One courageous woman is not enough when you have a nation that is – to be blunt – too cowardly to support her and those like her who offer a better alternative to fundamentalism and religious insanity.
Her fate is, I fear, just a foretaste of what the future holds for the Islamic countries of the world: politics permanently reduced to homicidal violence by self-righteous ‘martyrs’, unending civil stife instigated by Koranic maniacs, and the only possibility of peace lying in complete surrender to the ‘Islamists’. Almost everywhere in the muslim world the leaders and the led are too afraid to stand up to the religiously insane, adopting a policy of ever greater appeasement towards them and their demands. Emboldened by Ms Bhutto’s murder, expect them to set their sights (again) on Musharraf, the appeaser-in-chief. One maniac with a will is more than a match for any number of aspiring democrats without one.
A New Year’s Resolution For George Bush and the Western leadership: saving the muslim world from itself is not your responsibility or within your power. Taking action to isolate the West from the escalating violence and madness of the muslim world is something that you can and should do. Muslims must be left to sort out their own problems – if they can. We can only wish them, and the people of Pakistan on this occasion, the best of luck: they’re going to need it.
There really is no hope for the muslim world.
Way to change the subject Ken.
The reaction of many on this blog is disgusting. Benazir Bhutto spoke for people living under the rule of a military tyrant, and she did so knowing that it could likely cost her her life.
That is the action of a person with conviction, and for all their bluster and self righteous chest thumping, I seriousy doubt that those who demean her now would have the guts to do the same.
It’s kind of funny you are trying to portray me as a sexist or something merely because she was a woman. This has nothing to do with sex. This has to do with someone who was a narcissist, from a family of narcissists, that put her personal ambitions in front of the safety of people. How many people were killed by here mere presence in pakistan since her return from exile? Has anyone been killed because of me? If I knew people would die because I was going to a certain place, I wouldn’t go to that place. That you can defend someone who is so self absorbed they were prepared to allow other peoples to be killed, shows that perhaps YOU shoudl be ashamed of your comments? You obviously don’t value life, you value ambition, and narcissism. You people are absolutely deluded if you think she was in this for democracy or to make a difference. It was merely about PERSONAL AMBITION. Only a total fool would believe otherwise. Have any of you actually read about her and her family, or do you just pull things out of your behinds because you want to believe what you write?
Hi again guys! Mrs.Bhutto had agreed to sign a power sharing deal with Gen.Musharraf- the brutal dictator- only in order to be able to reach power again. And it was only the word of Gen.Musharraf that abolished the corruption charges against her! She had agreed to compromise her own principles only to reach power! Anyway I’ll always remember her as a very strong and very ambitious woman! With my love! Lubna!
Steve, please give the links, books, or material that you have read that would lead you to your insightful conclusion. Heck on this one I would even accept links from FOX news.
What good is power if you are dead? Somebody that selfish wouldn’t put themselves in that kind of danger. Why would somebody so selfish get so much support from her people?
I am deeply saddened that the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been killed by an assassin’s bullet. Since she came back to Pakistan after years of exile I have been following the latest news on her, and what she stood for. Madam Bhutto stood for the people of Pakistan, she stood by there sides when they demanded freedom from General Musharraf.
She was a strong women and a brave person I admired her. Pakistan now with her death has lost someone with great strength and courage and I fear that Pakistan will spiral down hill with out her. I feel that she was a major pillar of support for democracy within Pakistan. Her death shall be mourned all over the world for every Pakistani there is a place in there hart for her. I feel that possibly the government of President Musharraf is and should be held responsible for her death.
I feel that even though Musharraf has stepped down as military president, he has, I believe carefully handpicked his successor as commander of the military, so there, in reality, would be very little difference. If, after elections,’ he would want to retake control of the government he would face miniscule resistance. Especially now with the former prime Minster out of the way. My hart and prayers are with all those who support Benazir Bhutto and the PPC especially her family.
Let’s just hope that these deaths can lead to real democracy in Pakistan.
I doubt it – but I am an optimist.
The Neo-Con Lie Machine has already begun blaming “al-Quaeda” for the attack. This is unsurprising, because Musharraf is the Neo-Con’s man in Pakistan, their loyal ally. Let’s see, with elections on January 8th, whose power-base might be at risk from Benazir’s presence in Pakistan? Which man, whose name begins with “M”, who had been a lifetime enemy of Benazir Bhutto’s, would stand to gain from her death? Especially if the murder could be pinned on Osama bin-Laden?
It’s the same old Neo-Con trash again. “Osama bin-Laden is in Afghanistan, we must attack!!”. “Osama bin-Laden is Saddam’s enemy, we must attack!”.
And very soon you’ll be hearing how this was done by either Iran, or the Kremlin, or both together.
Steve,
I’m 36 and I take public transportation. If I don’t get what I want, I work with what I have.
You’re calling me childish when the only thing you can say about an assassinated leader (leadership always takes some degree of narcissism) is making a wacky little remark about the Twilight Zone?
I agreed her politics were flawed, but to trivialize her life and anti-terrorism stance is disgusting to me. You may view her as being responsible for the deaths of her followers, but she wasn’t the one with the weapons. Sure she rattled some cages, but the violent response was an infantile reaction from savage men worshiping a useless god.
I agree with some of your sentiments about leaders getting people killed. I’d rather focus my energy on the ones that are actually doing the killing or the ones like Bush and Cheney that hide in bunkers and send out orders to butcher women and children for oil.
So you aren’t a republican. I’m surprised. I would expect more content from a democrat other than a scathing remark and a pop culture reference. Next time spend less time seething and get to the point.
Ken
whatever side gains power, this killing shows the level of human develpoment:
despite united nations, parties and all those organisations we are still incapable
of a peaceful discussion.
murder always causes aggression, instead of a solution.
the circle of the production of weapons goes on, uncriticised.
let´s stop it ! worldwide !
inge
—
Let’s be clear on one point: Ms Bhutto didn’t get anybody killed.
She did nothing wrong in returning to Pakistan and in resuming her political ambitions (having, after all, once been Prime Minister). The responsibility for what happened, for her death and the deaths of those around her, lies with the maniac who detonated the bomb.
She wasn’t a coward. She wasn’t an appeaser. She didn’t put her safety before her country’s interests. She didn’t bow down to threats. She had more guts than most male politicians in Pakistan or anywhere else (recall how Bush and Cheney were whisked to safety on 9-11?). If she was ambitious it was a fault that she shared with every other politician in the history of the world. She was murdered by a coward acting on behalf of cowards. To criticise her AT THIS TIME of all times is just one more cowardly act against a courageous woman.
Dwight, perhaps you could use this thing called the “internet” and look for yourself or go to your library and read up? Her father was excecuted for plundering the nation and killing a political rival. You ask what good is power if you are dead? You’d have to ask a narcissist the answer to that question. They crave power and will do anything to get it, and will sacrifice other people’s lives and their own life just to get power. Your question could be asked of anything. Why accumulate wealth? You’re going to die one day and it won’t matter if you were dirt poor or rich, you’re still worm food. Who knows why people do things, but all I knwo is that she was a power hungry individual, from a family of power hungry people, and she put her ambitions above the lives of others, and people like you defend that horrific behavior.
My mistake ~ I said the reaction of many on this blog is disgusting. After rereading all comments I have to limit that to just Steve.
Whose comments on this blog I will ignore from now on…
Steve,
I didn’t change the subject. Just working with what I had since I didn’t get what I wanted.
Ken
VictorK: If you knew that if you went to Des Moines that people would get killed because you went there, would you go there?
I wouldn’t. She knew there would be terrorism that would result in lives lost, yet she chose to go ahead with it. I’m not saying she’s the bomber, or deserves nearly the blame, but if I knew there would be violence from my presence, I wouldn’t go, I don’t think my ambitions are that important that I would sacrifice other people’s lives because of it. Don’t any of you respect life here?
Ken, “pop culture” usually isn’t the best description of the Twilight Zone. Watch the episode, it shows how crazy you have to be to want power. It’s a good representation of the thigns you have to deal with because you are power hungry. YOu have to constantly look over your shoulder. That was my point. Had I brought up Paris Hilton then you would have had a point.
Bush and Cheney butcher women and children for oil? Please, and you accuse me of being childish? I hate to break it to you, but it’s Americans blowing themselves up in Iraq, killing innocent people. If you need to lie to make a point, then please, feel free to make a fool out of yourself. You literally said that Bush and Cheney send out orders to butcher women and children, and you criticize what i wrote. At least I’m not making up lies. When you have to lie to make a point, you have no point. I don’t like Bush/Cheney at all, but I don’t have to make up lies about them to discredit them.
Steve,
I think many of us would have expected you to be more vocal BEFORE Bhutto was brutally murdered. Your statements seem like opportunistic exploitation loaded with hindsight.
Ken
With dignity and respect Bhutto lived her life, paying the ultimate price in defense of freedom for her people. Her life and spirit epitomizes our humanity and reveals the clear and present contrast between true followers of Islam, and those who twist it to justify their demonic end
If you knew that if you went to Baghdad, Iraq that people would get killed, would you go there? I am not saying that George Bush or the soldiers are the bombers, or that they deserve the blame. Should the soldier say he isn’t going? Even though if they didn’t go they would lose their job, lose many opportunities, and loose college scholarship money?
Ken, do you want me to start up a blog or something for you so you can know my every thought? In October of this year, there was another attempt to kill her, which missed her, and killed 45 people and injured 100. If 45 people were killed in an attempt on me, I would have dropped out of the race, and spent the rest of my life atoning for my ambitions that caused 45 innocent people to die. That you people defend her is sickening. She doesn’t deserve to die, but her ambition got other people killed. Defending such narcissism is sickening. 45 PEOPLE DIED in prior attempts on her! Why put other people at risk for your ambitions?
Dwight, please this topic is about Bhutto’s assasination, not about Iraq and whatever political point you’re trying to make.
Stability over democracy again.
This assassination will affect the future of democracy in Pakistan.
The comments here are telling.
Murder the opposition leader to kill democratic process is fine as long as you vilify the murdered opposition leader after you kill them is the message promoted in the above comments.
Stability over democracy again.
FACTS:
>Tenuous security situation.
>Suicide bombing on her arrival.
>Extremists running amok.
STUPIDITIES:
>The West & others insisting on elections & democracy.
>Holding more rallies after a bombing in the first rally.
Q’s:
>How did an event like this happen in a GARRISON town like Rawalpindi !?
>Was this ‘allowed’ to happen? If so; by whom? Who gains?
>Does the US really want stability in Pakistan? Or does it want a base(s) closer to China, to offset its fear of China?
THINK!
I live in Karachi… the situation here is VERY BAD indeed!… Bhutto was a stroyet arrogant woman considering the string of events that took place wiht her…. her fathers hanging… she herself was sacked twice… and yet again came back to pakistan from a self-imposed exile to campaign for prime-minister AGAIN!… the violence on the streets is extremely bad!… people have come out on the streets with sticks and guns..they’re burning tires and shops!… attacking cars…THERE IS HUE AND CRY IN THE CITY
The shocking news of the assassination has left me utterly shaken. This tragic event calls for an international effort and commitment to continuously wage war on terror. However, this must be done sincerely without any ulterior agendas to better one’s country.
The whole world should rally together and champion Bhutto’s cause for modernisation and democratisation. My sincere condolences to Pakistan and God rest her soul.
Unfortunately Ms Bhutto knew this could happen, and she chose to go ahead. It is a huge loss for democracy and unfortunately Mr Musharraf has just won himself a perfect excuse to call a state of emergency and rig next month’s elections.
ZK
Singapore
Pakistan remains to be politically instable place.I don’t think much will change in the near future.I am sadenned .It all makes no sense for me.
Steve,
It’s no lie that far more Iraqi’s have been killed since the US occupation began. Bush and Cheney sent out the orders, they secured the oil ministry after operation “Shock and Awe”. Now, I didn’t think you would need a history lesson to accompany my statement, which is in fact, true and ongoing.
I referred to your statement as being childish because you mentioned the Twilight Zone. Sure, it is a highly allegorical part of pop culture just as the Outer Limits, X-Minus One or Dr. Who have portrayed in different manners. Usually, fictional TV programs and films are considered to be part of pop culture. Sorry if I have misrepresented the Twilight Zone in any manner.
Paris Hilton? Never been there.
Get off your high (and angry horse) for a while and join the discussion.
Ken
Steve: if my going to Des Moines all by itself would cause people to drop dead then no, I wouldn’t go.
If I were a public figure, and if I were told to stay out of Des Moines by a terrorist group who were threatening to kill innocents otherwise, then I’d make a definite point of going there. Anything else would be Grade A Neville Chamberlain appeasement. It would mean giving any group of crazies the right to dictate to the public the terms on which they were to live their lives. No society can survive such a development. Pakistan certainly won’t (and Musharraf has appeased and temporised with his country’s crazies to such an exent that they’re now confident enough to be regularly trying to kill him, too). You can have a free, ordered and civilised society, or you can appease and face the consequences. Whatever her politics, Ms Bhutto had a quality that is fundamental to every decent society: courage. Nothing can be done without it; everything can be hoped for with it.
The proper response to threats to kill innocents in Pakistan, Des Moines or anywhere else is to hunt down the crazies making the threats and imprison or kill them, not to get on your knees and submit to their demands (and by doing so to encourage them and others to make more, and increasingly extravagant, demands). Life lived according to the whim of unaccountable individuals is no life at all.
The only response to terrorists’ demands is for the state to demand their life or liberty.
Steve. thanks for the insight into who might be behind the assassination.
The official line is always helpful that way.
It is like listening to the SW broadcast back in Castro’s heyday of propaganda over radio Cuba.
Listen to what they say, then look for why they are saying it.
You can glean some truth that way.
Steve, the post is about a lady who put her life on the line for her beliefs and lost it!! The responses are about how out one side of your mouth you condemn her for doing it, and out the other side you hypocritically condone and support the exact same ideology.
I am sorry if that is too deep of a pool of thought for you to wade in. I can assure you that most people reading the post will see the obvious relation.
This is very sad and I feel very sorry for her children and family and the families of all who were victims of this vicious attack.
Pakistan’s situation is tumbling downwards, she was one of those who could have worked against Talibanisation along with Musharraf.
Ms. Bhutto, whether you agree with her politics or not, was a courageous woman. I admire her for going back to Pakistan given the risks. She stood up for the courage of her convictions. Unfortunately, in a violent country like Pakistan, democracy is often won at the cost of human lives. I don’t see any western politicians willing to lay down their lives for the courage of their convictions. They’re too worried about the next opinion poll and about pleasing the masses.
The brutal truth is that you can’t please all of the people all of the time and certainly Bhutto had her detractors and she wasn’t perfect. But one could also argue that Ghandi wasn’t perfect and that Martin Luther King wasn’t perfect, and they too put their followers’s lives at risk. However, there are things people feel that it is worth dying for and I admire that. I admire that she had the courage of her convictions.
My prayer is that her dream for democracy will be fulfilled in her children’s lifetime and that they’ll live to see the fruit of their mother’s sacrifice. She was a true hero and this is the time to honor her, not to be petty and snipe. There will be time for arm chair critics to dissect her death and her life in minute detail later. Right now our concern should be for her, for her family, for the future of the nation of Pakistan.
Hi again guys! True democracy will not be achieved by signing up suspicious power-sharing deals with brutal dictators! On the political level I do totally disagree with Mrs.Bhutto(May Allah bless her soul), but on the humanitarian level I do respect her courage and her strength alot! Shame on both terrorism and dictatorship anywhere in this world! With my love! Lubna!
VictorK, that’s so nice you’re willing to sacrifice other people’s lives for your personal ambitions. Maybe your kids will be one of those that get killed? Or is it easier to sacrifice the lives of a stranger for your own personal greed? If you think you’re going to eliminate all terrorist, then I’ve got a bridge in brooklyn to sell you. Now deal with things realistically VictorK, not in your dream world that would be terrorist free. We have to live in the real world, just like a woman shouldn’t walk alone at night in a big city, it should be a perfect world where she could be free from rape, but we have to realize we live in the real world, and that there are certain risks. Bhutto ignored those risks, and sacrificed other people’s lives as well as her own for her ambition.
Really shocking news of the killing of great Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto!!
This is a nightmare, there is no democracy in Pakistan! just some days before the elections there…
My sympathies to people directly concerned! and a very bad feeling for me, right after Christmas…
best wishes,
Zoli (from Budapest, Hungary)
Lubna,
True democracy will not be achieved by murdering the opposition leaders for stability under non-democratic rulers.
Smearing the murdered opposition leader within hours of the assassination to justify it is spin-manship out the wahzoo.
Stability over democracy is, after all is said and done, very undemocratic.
The end does not justify the means.
Micro management via assassination is arrogant and ultimately blow-back proves it wrong on all levels, even the stated objective of stability.
The tract record of the folk who “know it all” is: success zero, blow-back 100%.
Hide and watch.
Does anyone have any ideas or sources as to why the Bush administration was so incredibly keen to have Bhutto return to Pakistan and power-share with Musharraf? ZK makes an interesting point about the potential for a state of emergency going into the elections.
Let’s see, just heard the casualty figures from this attack. 20 people killed in this one, 45 in the last one. That means 65 people were killed in direct attempts on her life. Did you see how she said she didn’t care in the past if people try to kill her (because of her lust for power)? If it were just her getting killed, sad, but that’s her choice to make. But 64 other people got killed because of her ambition. Self absorbed narcissists don’t care at all about anyone else, so those lives meant nothing to her, and it’s sad the news ignores the non narcissistic innocent people who got killed because of her lust for power. Again, fellow commenters, please tell me how terrible I am for pointing out senseless killings because of someone’s narcissism, and how pointing it out is worse than killing 65 people.
@KK – you asked: ‘Does anyone have any ideas or sources as to why the Bush administration was so incredibly keen to have Bhutto return to Pakistan and power-share with Musharraf?’
I don’t myself have a high opinion of the Bush administration, but there is one thing that it has been consistent about, and perhaps even sincere: it’s support for democracy, and its missionary zeal to democratise the world, especially the middle east.
Ms Bhutto had the best credentials to be a democratic leader of Pakistan, especially when contrasted with the dictator Musharraf: the administration’s support followed as a matter of course. There’s no need for anyone to be cynical or conspiratorial about it, however much they may dislike George Bush. .
Hi Bilal,
Thanks for sharing that. I’ve got friends in Karachi, and I’m listening for any news from that city. I’m sure they’ll be okay as long as the violence is restricted to the streets, which is a pretty bleak but hopefully practical way of looking at it.
Any of the candidates being killed in these controversial elections would have been a tragedy, and my heart goes out to Mrs. Bhutto’s family and friends. I hope WHYS will focus not on her past controversies and political history, but on the future, on what happens next: who is likely to take charge of the PPP, who is likely to be in charge of the country after the elections – if it isn’t Musharraf and Co. again, and – most importantly – how this is likely to affect the other countries in the area?
cheers,
Gaurav in Singapore (but in India tomorrow!)
Plus, it is alarming that to what extent terrorists can go to eliminate potential threats and how the suicide bombing culture is deepening in Pakistan. Poiltics encompassing terrorism can never stabilize Pakistan.
I AM NOT SURE HOW ANYONE COULD EVEN UTTER THAT MRS. BHUTTO RETURNED TO PAKISTAN OR CAMPAIGNING FOR DEMORCRACY IS SELFISH AND NEGLECT FOR THE SAFETY OF HER FOLLOWERS. SHOULD SHE HAVE STAYED IN EXILE AND DEPUTIZED HER DREAM TO PROVIDE A DEMOCRATIC ENVIRONMENT FOR HER NATIVE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE? SHOULD ANYONE WITH DREAMS OF BRINGING ABOUT A BETTER OPPORTUNITY FOR THE OPPRESSED BURY THEIR AMBITIONS IN THE FEAR OF BEING KILLED? THE ONES WHO HAVE KILLED HER WOULD HAVE KILLED JUST ABOUT ANYONE WHO OPPOSED THEIR IDIOLOGY AND VIEWS, EVEN THEIR BROTHERS IF NEED BE. INDEED SHE HAD SERVED TWICE IN THE POSTION SHE GAVE HER LIFE CAMPAIGNING FOR, AND SHE WAS TRIED OR SOME CHUMPED UP CHARGES BY A CHAUVANISTIC GOVT WHO FABRICATED CHARGES IN AN EFFORT TO INSTITUTE MILITARY UNOPPOSED RULE. IT IS JUST SAD IT HAD TO END THIS WAY, BUT THERE ARE MANY WHO HAD DIED OR IMPRISONNED IN THEIR QUEST TO BRING ABOUT EQUALITY FOR THE OPPRESSED. I WILL LEAVE YOU ALL WITH THE MOST GRACIOUS STATEMENTS NELSON MANDELLA WHEN BEING CHARGED FOR HIS ATTEMPT TO BRING ABOUT DEMOCRACY: “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die. Nelson Mandella…………………………………
Whatever Ms. Bhutto’s reasons were for running for elected office, we must not forget that a human being was murdered today in a most brutal and violent way. I am deeply saddened by this and hope that this action doesn’t lead to even more violence in Pakistan. Anything that might even remotely resemble a civil war should make us all concerned about the stability of that region.
The image I now have is gas being thrown on a fire.
Raymond, hilarious. Have you actually read anything about Bhutto? She has been convicted of all sorts of money laundering schemes and was ordered to pay restitution to the government of Pakistan for looting the nation while she was in power. Like most politicians, she was a narcissist, and wanted power for her own benefit. Is the BBC WHYS full of people born yesterday and think politicians want power to help people? They do it to fufill their selfish needs and wants and to line their pockets. Why don’t you people read up on her life, and the life of her entire family before you make even bigger fools of yourselves? I’m not saying it’s good she’s dead, it’s tragic, but even she admitted she knew it was a possibility, and wanted power so badly she lost her life. Problem is, she tooks others with her, and that’s not right. If she wants to lose her life for her lust for power, fine. But don’t take others with you. Her own words “i don’t bother about it” when talking about death threats. That’s a nice mentality i fyou don’t care at all about the other people that get killed in attempts on your life.
KK, Musharraf and Benazir were the only people who could have worked towards eliminating the Taliban influence in Pakistan.
Sometime back, it was in Rawalpindi that Musharraf’s plane was fired on, and now this fatal attack on Benazir. The threat has been there all along, some time back (in November I think) Benazir was advised not to hold the rally in Rawalpindi. It is very alarming that the terrorist network is so deep in the twin city of Islamabad. Lets not forget the Lal Masjid Incidence too.
Ken in Cleveland (email)
I know Benazir Bhutto was far from perfect, but she was brave enough to speak out against the terrorists that were ultimately her undoing. I’d love to see the world free of single minded savages, but until that time, I hope other leaders can live without the threats that haunted Bhutto until the end. My best to her loved ones.
Richard, Zurich (email)
Excuse me if I’m missing something but how can Western Leaders (Bush, Brown et al) talk about the danger to Pakistan democracy? Have they forgotten that it is a military dictatorship that only found favour after 9/11
Stefan, Germany (email)
What do you think, is it appropriate to cite the world’s paragon of cowardice with a comment that Benezir Bhutto’s assassination was a cowardly act? Maybe the BBC should know better than use the fumble-tongued, self-important, half-brained Bush to give a name to the attack.
The chaos and panic that is occurring right now in the aftermath is going to destroy many, many lives. Even if not everybody agrees with her political views, lets not forget that she did come back, knowing all dangers. At a personal level, it was very courageous and brave of her, she has young children and a family.
Vishal, United States (email)
I think the events in Pakistan were done by terrorists and I believe that if the elections were postponed that the terrorists have been granted a victory. The attacks today in Pakistan go to show that terrorists wish to harm those nations with democratic governments.
kalypso-vienna,austria (email)
this is so terrible! what will happen to the country?
i pray for the people of pakistan: may God help you and you can live in peace and stability.
Jude Kirkham, Vancouver, Canada (email)
Benazir Bhutto died as she lived. Foolishly yet courageously. If she had avoided public events and hidden behind walls of barbed wire she would surely be alive, but she would also surely be irrelevant as well and that she could not be. Flawed? Yes, and yet she was Pakistan’s only hope. Now any chance of freedom has been set aside for at least a generation.
Ken in cleveland, I completely agree with your last post.
Hector Fraticelli, Walnut, California, USA. (email)
This is indeed a cowardly act of violence. I was shocked at the news of her death. Bhutto’s courage, strength, and loyalty to her country will never be forgotten.
Aabi Zaidi, thank you for your incite on the relevance of the location. I may be foolish but I have been suspicious that the Bush administration wanted Bhutto in a position of authority so that she would back a US strike on the Taliban in Pakistan. Musharraf would not/never permit such a US invasion of Pakistan? Note to VictorK, while I like the fantasy of the US promoting democracy, I fear the reality.
Katy (email)
It’s a sad day for all people who believe in democracy and freedom. She was the hope and the voice of the people and now the people have been silenced. I’m dismayed to see so much anger directed at her on the blog comments. She was a freedom fighter, and if you’re going to be as dedicated to protecting democracy as she was, then you have to be willing to die for it. And she was. If you support a freedom fighter, you should know you are also in harms way. So the people who died with her should have been willing to die too. You can’t blame her for this, she didn’t want power for herself. She wanted to give the power back to the people, where it belongs. She was a hero for all people and will be remembered as such. If more people were as brave as her, we wouldn’t have to fight so hard to be free.
Brigitte, Accra. (text)
It is a great, great loss 4 the world, particularly for women in leadership. Devastating indeed.
With regards to the elections that is due on Jan 8, the possibility of it being held can go both ways.
If the election is being held, it may help the image of musharaff as him truly wanting Pakistan to progress and become democratic. Yet, there are a lot of worries of more attacks which will send the whole nation reeling.
If the election is cancelled, there’s a possibility of a local backlash at the government as people might accuse Musharaff of having a hand in this matter to create a scenario where he can cancel the elections and still hold onto his power.
Yet, at the end of the day, the worst hit is not only the nation but her three children. My feelings go out to her children.
John. Lagos Nigeria (text)
It a great loss to the world at large. Fine democrat like Bhutto has sacrificed the best part of her life 4 democracy.
Maghboeba in Cleveland, Ohio (email)
I am saddened and outraged by the killing of Benazir Bhutto. As a mother, I am consumed by thoughts of the grief that her three children must be experiencing at this time. Even though Ms. Bhutto knew the risks of her role, I cannot imagine the bravery accompanying the decisions of Ms. Bhutto and the resulting pain of this decision for her children. What a price to pay for love of one’s country and for democracy. It is a indeed a sad day for Pakistan and for the world — yet another example, only this time high profile, where opposition is crushed with bullets and blood.
Andreya (email)
As a woman from the US, far away from the tragedy, we are deeply saddened that her bodily energy has died. Her legacy will live on in us, as a beautiful leader. Our hearts go out to all the families who are immediately effected including our own. She was a Great World Leader.
Boadu Kwabena, University of Ghana (text)
This is not only a disgrace but barbaric. Pakistan is increasingly becoming a scar on world. its all the fault of Musharaf.
Dody in Boston MA USA (email)
I saw Bhutto speak at a Harvard commencement some years ago, one of a mere handful of people who came to see her despite cold, wind, and pouring rain. She was as poised as if she were speaking at a state dinner. Although certainly controversial, Bhutto was a woman to be admired for her intelligence, courage, and groundbreaking leadership. My heart goes out to those who loved her, and to those who will certainly suffer in the aftermath of this murder.
ZK, Singapore (email)
I’d just finished watching a reality TV programme and decided to check the news on a whim, and switched to CNN to be met with this shocking news. Unfortunately Ms Bhutto knew this could happen, and she chose to go ahead. It is a huge loss for democracy and unfortunately Mr Musharraf has just won himself a perfect excuse to call a state of emergency and rig next month’s elections.
Najeeb, Pakistan (text)
We are deeply shocked by the immeture death of Benazir. Her death is the death of democry.
really? A woman in an Islamic country was convicted of a crime? That never happens. Especially in such a proper and honest system such as Pakistan. It is hard to believe somebody so guilty was able and allowed to walk the streets by the governing and law enforcing bodies of Pakistan. Let alone run for government again.
Man you got to share those things with the board, that must be some good stuff you are taking. Where is the logic.
Again people making charges about people, please give links to credible references that promote your point.
Charles Emeruka in Soroti Uganda (text)
The whole world will miss you, a fearless fighter of Democracy and Justice.Please get the traitors and bring them to book.May God help her family and the Pakistani people!
Fabrice Louis, Rochester, NY (email)
Pakistan has lost a woman of great standing, of great strength and of great hope for the future of the Pakistan nation.
Alieu Quoi, Jr.Liberia (email)
I have just turned on my computer any stumbled across the shocking, sad news of Bhutto’s death. It is a black sad day for Pakistan and the entire world. Why would people be so cruel to the extend that they would go all out just to destroy the lives of others.
Adieu Bhutto.
Hi dear George! Thanks alot for your comment! My problem with Mrs.Bhutto is that she had signed up a power sharing deal with General Musharraf-the brutal dictator-, so in my opinion she had compromised her own principles! General Musharraf has come into power by an illegal coup, and by signing up a power sharing deal with him, she has officially confessed that his presence in power is legal! Anyway, I do totally respect her courage and her strength, shame on the evil monsters who have killed her! Democracy or stability?! Well, true democracy leads to stability! In Iraq we do have “sectarian” democracy, which is so different from true democracy, and that’s why political stability in Iraq is missing! With my love! Lubna!
Joseph Dazema.Lagos,Nigeria (text)
I have always Benazir Bhutto s political boldness and beauty.May her death be the birth of political freedom in Pakistan.
Mphahlele, Kenya (text)
Pakistan people a time has come for you to solve your political differences peacefully not through violence.
Dave, Berkeley, California, USA
Could this horrible act perhaps be a galvanizing force for the moderates of Pakistan to adopt a no tolerance line against the Taliban and other al qaeda type extremists?
KK: that the US is promoting democracy is no fantasy.
Iraq and Afghanistan have both held elections solely because of the US role in those countries and the Bush administration never tires of pressuring its allies to democratise themselves.
What you should fear is democracy itself in certain countries. Democracy in many muslim states will lead to victories for fundamentalists. The US seems indifferent to or ignorant of this fact. Many of the world’s people are simply not capable of operating democratic structures and it is egalitarian folly, however well-intentioned, for the Bush regime to force democracy on them. Iraq, for example, has been a democratic disaster. Whetehr democracy will prove to be PAkistan’s undoing remains to be seen. But you should not let your hatred of the US blind you to self-evident facts, such as its democratising zeal in the world today. The US supported Ms Bhutto because she was the democrats’ choice. There is nothing discreditable about that, except to people incapable of crediting the US with good intentions or actions of any kind..
The promotion of democracy by the US is very much a reality: the fantasy lies in thinking that democracy alone will always lead to better lives for people. Sometimes the reverse is true.
Thanks Aabi. Good to hear from you again during this sad time.
Ken
isaac. ghana. (text)
this is a shame to pakistan and democracy.
Paul (email)
At what point do you think the liberal world media will blame President Bush for the murder of Bhuto?
This tragic event raises once again the question of whether Islam is compatible with democracy.
Political assassination is, unfortunately, a phenomenon of most cultures. But only in Islamic societies is suicide bombing, carried out to inflict maximum casualties, accepted by broad sections of the population as legitimate, even laudable political action.
It is past time for these societies, starting with Pakistan, to place their strength behind pluralism and against terror. Until they do, it is past time for the rest of the world to stop pretending that there is nothing seriously and uniquely wrong in those societies.
Kristof, (email)
The very definition of terrorism is so broad that it any of the dictionary definitions is a snapshot of an organization’s or group’s known practices, it can be called terrorist. By Webster’s definition, youth gangs are terrorists, as well as US church groups who sponsor intimidation and shootings of abortion clinic patrons and practitioners. By the current practices of the US government who funds “faith based” charities to religious organizations with extremist political agendas, the US giovernment becomes a supporter of terrorism.
No doubt, there are “those who say” (Bill O!Reilly’s famous endorsement phrase by unnamed sources) that the US government already qualifies as a supporter of terrorism by continuing to support war crimes regularly perpetrated by Israel against its neighbors. Since the US opened Pandora’s box by deciding to overuse the word at every policy obstacle, here are some of the consequences.
International award winning news channels have been silenced, shut down, or run out of business through financial and political pressure by claiming ties to terrorist funding. These include Al Manar, Al Jezeera, Azteca Trece, and a blackout of selected satellite content throughout the world. The rest were simply bought and sanitized by the seemingly endless capital resources of Wall Street’s “investment groups” proliferating faster than neo-conservative think tanks.
So where does this leave Bhutto? Was she the victim of terrorism’s collateral damage or the target of shadow or seemingly legitimate governments who have been sliding down that slippery slope into terrorism. Does the overt reaction of financial markets to political news speak of an underlying conflict-of-interest (through institutional derivatives) so severe that the consequences describe the kind of cash-flow necessary to consume the media and thereby create events designed to perpetuate powerbase and cashflow?
Such an avenue has been created by News Corp buying the Dow and associated financial press, but only Murdoch could explain why there was no Congressional oversight on such an obvious potential for conflict – one that was successfully resisted until the Bush administration.
Does Musharraf’s dismissal of Pakistan’s judicial involved in deciding the legality of his usurpation of election processes describe a similar event that took place following the “election” of George Bush? Clearly, the irregularities of the US 2004 election that were under investigation were brought to a halt by Bush appointee, Attorney General Gonzales’ dismissal of federal judges involved in deciding such questions. Are these events symptomatic of a contagion of overt corruption by association?
If such a spectre really exists in practice, is there any investigative agency, judicial process, or uninfiltrated branch of government capable of reversing what may be the biggest threat of world domination far greater than anything offered by a band of fanatical islamic rebels?
Benazir Bhutto was a friend of mine. We were in the same circle of friends at Harvard and Oxford. We referred to her, affectionately, as “Pinky”.
I saw a different side of her –compassionate, light-hearted, and adventurous. Beneath the political facade was a marvelous, caring, brilliant woman.
She will very much be missed.
–Richard
AB, Suicide bombing is not a part of Islam at all; it is sheer terrorism and is not appreciated at all.
Suicide and killing someone is a very big sin in Islam. In contrast to the current popular belief of earning a place in Heaven, those who commit suicide and murder land straight in Hell.
It is sad that the Bhutto family should be plagued with political assassination. She is like the Kennedy family in The USA and the Ghandi family in India. It seems that in many cases political bravery involves bravery to face death. Political assassination not the democratic way to make a point.
Anonymous (text)
Hi there I heard what Siddeque said on World Have Your Say and i also being from the nwfp know alot of people who perceive themselves to be good Muslim would be please with wat happened to Benazir. But i wud like to tell them had she and her father not been there people of pak wud have never have any clue of democracy. I wish ppp replace this irreplaceable position and wins the upcoming elections. Thanx
To Paul… What liberal media would that be? You won’t find too many generalizations on NPR or BBC (which are liberal with differing opinions and truth – not opinion masked as news) How long until Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck or Sean Hannity make jokes about this or blames “liberals” for this terrorist act instead of the corporate war machine? I’m afraid people that love to blame the “Liberal Media” for everything are just ignorant and fail to see the big picture. Stop listening to one sided opinions and branch out a little.
To Lubna… I think you have summed up this situation best of all. You see that Bhutto was flawed but she also had virtues. Most importantly, you realize this is a tragic loss. Thanks for your unique insight.
Ken in Cleveland
Francesca Rogier, Halifax Canada (email)
Food for thought.
Today’s headlines on Democracynow.org include the following:
U.S. Special Forces to Expand Presence in Pakistan
In other news on Pakistan, the Washington Post reports U.S. Special Forces are expected to vastly expand their presence in Pakistan beginning in early 2008. The U.S. troops will reportedly take part in an effort to train and support Pakistani counter-insurgency forces and clandestine counterterrorism units. While the U.S. expands its presence in Pakistan, questions are being raised over how Pakistan has spent five billion dollars in U.S. aid sent since the Sept. 11 attacks. According to the New York Times, the money was supposed to have been spent to fight Al Qaeda and the Taliban. But now U.S. officials are admitting that funds were diverted to help finance weapons systems designed to counter India, another U.S. Ally
I wonder how this should be seen and understood?
The US played a role in assisting Bhutto’s negotiations with Mushareff, and now she is dead.
Dave in Berkeley~
Short answer is no. The moderates will not be galvanized. The only person who gains from this will soon be declaring a military emergency and most likely suspending the constitution indefinitely. He will use the ongoing battle against al Qaeda and the Taliban to solidfy his grip on Pakistan under the guise of defense.
Whatever else he may be, Musharif is becoming a master at political chess.
Benazir Bhutto was Pakistan’s hope for peace. I looked forward to her election as Prime Minister and hoped she would bring stability, democracy and prosperity to Pakistan. Her assassination today is a tragedy beyond words.
Hello Anonymous,
Will you please explain what do you mean by : ”i also being from the nwfp know alot of people who perceive themselves to be good Muslim would be please with wat happened to Benazir”.
Any Muslim, let alone being a good or great one, will not appreciate such an act of brutality.
Richard, It is good to hear from somebody who knew the person. sorry to hear your friend met such an untimely end. may she live on through you.
Steve, Please tell Richard how she was a no good crook who only had dreams of self promotion.
As tragic as the death of Banazir Bhutto is can anyone deny the fact they were expecting this all along?
You watch what’s happenning with the assassination we here condemnations left and right though as a lebanese I’m utterly sick of condemnations and empty promises. When will we step up and give nations whom are fighting for change the real help they need?
Dwight, why don’t you read the news reports about her and about her convictions in european nations for her financial crimes committed in Pakistan? Her own father was executed for killing a political rival of his. The PPP party was her own family’s PERSONAL political party. for making sure a Bhutto rules Pakistan. If Richard’s story is true, he knew the young Bhutto, who was in the UK learning and partying, not too worried about ruling Pakistan since that was the obsession of her father at the time.
This assassination reminds me of the death of Robert Kennedy in the 1960’s in the United States, which came after the assassination of John Kennedy and Martin Luther King. This death causes sadness and hopeless feelings in every thinking human being who doesn’t automatically blame the victim or the devil (aka the Iranian “Great Satan” used to such effect by irresponsible, radicals in that country), Assassinations are bad, bad, bad and no way to run a country. It is incredibly sad to see brave leaders like Benazir Bhutto and Anwar Sadat and others brought down after stepping up and beginning the actions that might, just might lead to peaceful solutions.
What has happened today in pakistan is sad.
Although I never had support for Ms. bhutto on account of her ways of struggling for power the bottom line is:-
1. An act of terror was commited
2. Innocent people (supporters) lost their life for nothing
3. People still do not understand that politicians donot care
4. i am sorry but i have to agree,that in view of what happened in October, rallies should have totally avoided by all perties
5. Thsoe have have commited this act in the name of Islam, have nothing, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, to do with Islam
6. they are terrorists , and the Muslim s should condemn them as vocally as possible so that they realise that they have no SUPPORT what soever
may God have mercy on her soul, and protect as all to what ever religion we may belong
Amen
WHY is Radio 4’s rerun of “Lord Kitchener’s Image” by Ian Hislop NOT available to listen to on the bbc web site?
Is this quote relevant? “You can never enslave a free man. The most you can do is kill him.” I say that with fervent feeling to all the killers out there who are trying so hard to do just that. Anybody who steps up to the plate of leadership in some countries that I will not name knows without a doubt that their reward will likely be death.
No matter what any person does they cannot escape the wishes of their own family: Anyone heard the interview with Fatima Bhutto could understand why this has happened- inexcusably nonetheless. Here is the worldpress link to an article on the views of Benazir Bhutto’s neice:
http://fanonite.org/2007/10/26/fatima-bhutto-criticizes-benazir/
Personally I agree that a bungling US policy seeking oil for power and not the real liberation movement that was claimed contributed greatly to an environment of destabilization in the region. It began when the inadvertent bombing of citizens in Uzbekistan caused that country to deny access to their bases. America’s weak strategy of taking the approach from the South was clearly an attempt to capture the oil in the region. America must have had at least a notion; that very approach and the positions supposedly held are where the ruling armies based in the North of that region have stranded their enemies for at least a millennium: in the desert. All that one can make of such inept strategy is that Washington knew how much destruction would inevitably follow the “allies” that “supported” the US onslaught. No one can say how much degradation of rule has been caused by the greed blind forced march of a man who great generals have flat out challenged. Who can say either how much less bloodshed would’ve occurred if America had tried to gain a strategic position in the region and negotiate with the power seat that is now unraveling in Pakistan and gained the confidence of Uzbekistan and Turkey.
I’m so sad and fearful right now. I’m thinking of BB, but also of her supporters who were killed, the 140 who were killed in the last attack. I don’t understand what is gained by the “extremists” who conduct these attacks except chaos and misery.
Richard,
I am deeply sorry for the loss of your friend. Keep hope that someday the world will be rid of those that would silence a unique voice.
Best,
Ken in Cleveland
May Benazir Bhutto´s soul rest in peace.May all those that carried those acts of canibalism in the name of Islam rot in hell fire.May Allah expose their leaders from their hide outs-Ameen. Despite the warning giving to her by a group of Islamic militants to kill her each time she stepped her feet in Pakistan,Mrs Bhutto never paid any attention to the threats posed on her life and instead she continued taking risks to rally huge supports from all corners of Pakistan as the will be the right president of the country.The respect of the rule of law and democracy would be on her top agenda.The first assassination attempt on her life would have promted her to either stay out of politics or leave the country as quickly as possible.But everything seemed to fall on deaf ears.The Bush administration gave her their full support thinking that she would be capable of fighting extremism in Pakistan and keep the nukes safe so that terrorist groups will never lay their hands on them.She is not like President Musharraf who is protected by army commandos and there were so many failed suicide plots perpetuated against him by militants, but to no success. Mr Musharraf who was an army general knew much more about the nukes than Mrs Bhutto her self and a man who went to the war front in Kashmir.And he did his best to curb some Islamic elements in the tribal areas,but he was accused of being an Army dictator and an American puppet by his people.Sadly still,it was when he announced of the state of emergency in the country,the sacking of the well respected chief judge.The closure of both international and private media working in the country and some were thrown out of the country for asking him rude questions.Questions that they wouldnot dare ask their politicians in their countries.On the other hand, the Bush administration was running out of patient because Mr Musharraf couldnot prevent the influx of Islamic militants from entering Afghanistan to help their Phaston´s brothers(Taleban) fighting President Karzai´s government and NATO forces in the country.Now,is there no conspiracy theory behind Mrs Bhutto´s death?Can it ever be clear who really committed those atrocities?In a country wherein there is a climate of fear by Islamic militancy the road to democracy will be a long one to reach.
Peace for “Benazir Bhutto” at last, it would appear Steve has been told to go to bed.
Richard and Dwight-
Good points.
Well received.
We just talked our friend Lubna (the I told you about on your birthday, Lubna!) from going home to Pakistan for three weeks. Bhutto was a crook, but she didn’t deserve to die. And now this terrible chaos.
Why the hell is everyone arguing about whether Bhutto was a bad person? Murder is murder. Don’t be jackasses.
It is a sad day when someone is killed fighting for democracy….Benazir Bhutto was a strong, courageous woman.
God give and take. no matter how we died, since it’s been destined that human will not live for ever.
My condolences to people all over the world that know the value of democracy.
In my view, many things is wrong with the political landscape of Pakistan so, things like this will
continue to happen until they make it right.
The father of this lady has been a leader in the same country and the story was the same.
Majority of the people are not educated, they only depend on madrasa’s which is the extremist style
of education. From this schools, they got radicalize and the result will surely lead to terrorism.
The government at the center have seen many things like the issue of land etc. All this are issue to be corrected
before they can speak about democracy since democracy is the government of the people by the people and for the people.
I pray that God will give peace to Pakistan, and God will give the families the fortitude to bear the lost.
Daniel Lawal From China.
Tel.+862085803771
danielkings377@hotmail.com
This assassination only goes to show that you read what you sow. Whenever someone or some country does something wrong, it comes back to hound them.
Be it politicians in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, or people in Afghanistan, UK or Spain, USA, you will always see that the reasons for it lie in their own country or themselves. They surely must have ruffeled someone’s feather. Noone gets killed just for fun. So all the political leaders anywhere in the world need to know that there is a line after which they should never cross. If they do, it will be to their own peril.
The thwo most benifited parties because of this assassination are the US and the Parvaiz Musharraf.
The former is benificary because of the “stated” chaos by the media and then to act on behalf of Israel to dismantle the Pakistan’s nuclear programme.
The 2nd and stupid Musharraf find now difficult to survive because of the apparant contradictory stand of new Chief of Army Staff (General Ashfaq Kayani) about the role of army in politics. Musharraf first retaliate that threat with the statement that “Osama may be in Bajur — A bordering area with Afghanistan” but the fire remain futile so now, he got killed the political leader and of course now he can dictate to the nation and army that he is unavoiable and most in demand personality of Pakiatan in this situation.
Aabi: I think you are kidding yourself. AB is right.
Suicide-bombing is now a permanent feature of Islam and is accepted by most muslims as a legitimate weapon. When used against Israelis there is hardly a muslim on the planet who thinks that there is anything wrong with it. When used against Americans on 9-11 many muslims literally danced with joy in the streets of several muslim countries. When used in Britain and Spain no muslims anywhere in the world thought it so unislamic that they had to demonstrate to denounce the perpetrators, though muslims have demonstrated in the hundreds of thousands about frivolous matters like cartoons and the right to wear a headscarf. Suicide bombings have slaughtered tens of thousands of muslims in Iraq: muslims across the world have never condemned it because the suicide bombings are intended to drive out the Americans, and the Iraqis are just collateral damage. We judge muslims by their deeds, not their words: muslims accept and endorse suicide bombings and see no contradiction between being a good muslim and being a suicide bomber (or ‘martyr’).
Now the chickens are coming home to roost. The technique of suicide bombing, that was orignally directed against non-muslims, now largely targets muslims. The muslims who never condemned it when it was being used against Israelis, New Yorkers and American soldiers, and who applauded when Saddam and the Saudis rewarded the families of suicide bombers with cash, are now unable to exert any influence over their own domestic suicide bombers who have been raised in a tradition of violence that long ago endorsed suicide bombing as a legitimate weapon for a good muslim.
Once again the problem is Islam and the violence that it generates and sanctions. And once again muslims are sticking their heads in the sand rather than address the core issue: how Islam inevitably leads to violence, permanent instability, and societal failure.
Ms Bhutto’s fate will be that of every enlightened and progressive muslim leader, since for the orthodox Koranists ‘progress’ and ‘enlightenment’ are ‘against Islam.’ that’s why I think there is no hope at all for the muslim world, which will probably be talibanised in the coming decades.
Hello All.
An not so enjoyable read. The reality is that another person has died due to fanatics with no other target than to kill, and a whole country could move too civil war because of this death.
As politician go at least she had courage, knowing that she was a target, and knowing that the protection she would receive would be minimal, she still went home. God rest her soul.
As for the innocent by-standers, a tradogy! but terrorists take that into account. They are willing to kill and maim by-standers, so that other take the blame. “If she hadn’t returned then they would not have been killed”. Theres the start.
Have a nice day.
The killing of Ms. Benazir Bhutto is surely shocking and a condemnable act. The government and its agents are responsible in this. Mr. Musharraf! You have failed. We need security and peace in the country. Never before the country has suffered like this and never ever faced such turmoil. Its time for you to say “Good bye”. Maybe this will bring stability to the country. Go Musharaf Go!
She was indisputably one of the most animated and vibrant individuals in Pakistani politics, she was so full of life that death is a concept that doesn’t really seem coherent with her image in the mind.
This is inhumane.. killing a woman who was fighting for her country, fighting for a country which took away her father and her brother from her. Surely, she has entered a better abode. May God be with her. I pray for her and her family and Pakistan at this hour.
I’m proud of my leader…. Benazir we are proud of you!!!
Steve,
Please post valid reports. You keep talking about these “reports”. I know a little about Pakistan and it’s history. I know a lot about the propaganda machines that run rapid through out the Middle East. For every “report” that you might find saying she was a demon, I can find one that says she was a saint. When you are talking about a country like Pakistan, your pickings for people with an understanding of democracy, rule of law, and civility are slim. They will need to come from people who could afford to send their children to the west to get educated. It is likely to be people of the same family.
Let’s put things in perspective shall we. She was a woman in a corrupt Muslim country who was twice elected by her people. Elections that at least on the second one had international oversight. Hell they were more legitimate than any of our recent elections. She was probably a shoe in for the third time. These charges of corruption have never stuck, It has been her family that the terrorist networks have targeted repeatedly. The last “scandal” said that she stole over a billion dollars from the country. London obviously didn’t believe it since they accepted her as an exile. If you have over a billion dollars, and you are a self serving corrupt, guilty criminal, you don’t go back to your country to stand in front of assassins!! You live in the Bahamas where you basically own the place.
Again, any report reference would be appreciated. I have access to a pretty extensive library. If you happened to read it in print, give me the title. If in your studies you have come across somebody who would make a better leader of Pakistan, then please offer them up as a comparative to this vile woman
If not, then please do not slander somebody you know nothing about.
Dwight.
You said it.
Sadly i do not have the possibility to read extensively about Pakistan, however as a young soldier in the late 50s i experienced both Indian and Pakistani Soldiers. (positive)
The problem as far as i can see is the fanatical interpretation of religious scripts, not the scripts themselves. In the fanatical interpretation there is no room for democracy ,or peace. Sure is, you cannot keep religion out of politics in Pakistan, however hard the people in power try. Therefore you cannot achieve a near to working democracy.
John
as i recently heard … benazir bhutto was NOT apparently shot since the suicide bomber was on the left side of the vehicle and only the left side suffered the damage…however Ms.Bhutto was injured on teh right side and it is said that while she got out of the sun-roof her head hit some sort of sun-roof lever due to which the injury took place!… however this is not yet confirmed…
Dr. Mussadiq Khan, a surgeon who treated the former Prime Minister, said that she died from shrapnel that hit her on the right side of the skull. and NO bullet was found on her body!
Dwight, you good have used “google”, but oh well:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/337983.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/136259.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/945022.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3125277.stm (convicted by the swiss!)
I might suggest you try this obscure website called http://www.google.com and you can find things on your own!
Dwight, you should listen to talk radio. Even in the US, where we’re notorious for not knowing anything about what happens outside of the US, they are discussing how Bhutto was not the angel of democracy she is portrayed to be, but rather a corrupt, self serving indivivudal, like most other politicians are. Even the replacement host for Bill O’Reilly is discussing this now! Not illegal immigration, not some typical republican “be afraid of the terrorists!” but rather about how bhutto is not about democracy but about self serving interests. I wish they would extend this discussion to ALL politicians, because they’re all narcissists.
to maria alexander,
and also to involve more women in the discussion:
murder is murder, and should never be a sign of the civilisation
that we human beings are so proud of.
besides, her death as a women serves everybody:
the military as well as the democrates, the taliban as well as the western allies.
no man is interested in following a woman´s command.
a hope for the next years:
more direct communication between women of different age, status and culture.
it´s them who give birth to children to support peaceful development on this earth.
we´ll see.
inge
—
The sun roof lever injury and quick burial seem awfully suspicious. Apparently there was not a proper autopsy? Anyone have information?
Ken
” because they’re all narcissists” A WORD USED IN EVERY SENTENCE ON HERE BY ONE TO CONVINCE THE MAJORITY TO SWAY THEM INTO HIS FOLD, MUST BE A EMPTY ROOM WITH A KEYBOARD AND A COMPUTER, ARE U ALLOWED LIGHTS IN YOUR CELL?
Never mind… Here is a great link with some very interesting information.
http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/diarypage.php?did=5344
This whole thing stinks of conspiracy. The sun roof handle theory would mean she was not assassinated too. I’m very perplexed.
Yeah, what the heck Steve, you’re obsessed with narcissism. That’s a surface issue to me. If you’re angry because she was charismatic and endangered her supporters, are you also angry at the supporters for putting her in a position of power? Will you blame her supporters for going into the streets?
If politicians were wallflowers, they would never be politicians. Narcissism and public figures go hand in hand. I admit some politicians are more humble than others, but even so, they have to believe they are important and sell themselves like a product.
I’ve been reading about Bhutto’s corruption issues as well. Not a pretty picture, but we are talking about a politician from a region that is plagued with brutality and self serving entities.
Ken
WELL SAID KEN. LOL
The death of Benazir Bhutto in my opinion was ochestrated by the government of Pakistan especially Gen. Musharaff. Her death is a serious blow to the rise of women in world politics.
Ken, if Mulslim tradition is like Jewish tradition, you are buried within 24 hours of death. An autopsy won’t bring her back. Maybe the initial reports just weren’t accurate, like how they normally are in any other story? I remember on 9/11 there were reports of car bombings going off in DC, which never happened. Remember the 2000 election? The first reports are usually based upon speculation and are baseless. If you’re trying to suggest that Musharaff had Bhutto killed, given she had an agreement with him, and she is less popular than Shariff, that maybe Shariff would have been killed if it was about eliminating political rivals? Sharif was the larger threat to Musharaff. She was killed by crazies.
My point in prior posts was taht she’s not the innocent, perfect beacon of democracy some say that she is. If you even listened to the WHYS, Pakistanis were saying that she’s not some angel. ALL politicians are self serving people, who care about their own interests. the PPP is the Bhutto family’s own personal political party, and in 10 or so years, Bhuttos sons will start running for office under the PPP.. It’s not about bringing democracy, it’s about greed and power.
So your information is gathered from other people who don’t know what they are talking about sitting around talking about things they know nothing about. Then somebody hears them talking about it and takes it as truth. They then proceed to talk about it on their own talk show.
I was kind of being sarcastic when I said I would even accept a link to a FOX news story. However, I certainly am not going to place any credibility to people who still believe that some day some how they are going to find nuclear WMD in Iraq. As we can see right here on WHYS, a “talk show” has only one requirement, that you can talk. Validity, integrity, and reality are certainly not required.
What you have had here is a few people that have lived under her rule, and a guy who knew her personally. They all seem to think she was a good leader. that is what I got to put merit in.
SO you are saying that you have no such links or material recommendations. This thread has been dragged on far enough. Interested people who read can see the width of your investigation and the depth of your knowledge. From there they will have to form their own opinion about you assertion.
How can anyone expect any kind of civilised, western styled democracy, to ever take root in a region where the majority of people are uneducated and indoctrinated into the vile, viciousness of islam?
Muslims kill their own people. Muslims encourage their children to kill and be killed. There is no hope for them on this planet and they know it….they show it, by their desperate acts.
So what if someone names a teddy bear mohammed, or any other way one wishes to spell the name.
So what if muhommed is lampooned in cartoon caricatures?
So what if other people believe that a different god exists?
So what if non muslims live in parts ofthe world not yet claimed by muslims?
It’s NO excuse to kill for!!!
Soon, the moral decency of all non muslims will be at the end of it’s tether and then it will be a reversal in the proclamation of an eye for an eye!
Islam has not advanced one iota in the 1400 odds years since it’s creation. A creation, which was plagiarised from religions preceding it! It’s still in the stone age and is merely an excuse to abuse, terrorise and kill!
Respect is earned, not demanded, or wrested by force! Not in, or by ANY of this planet’s societies.
By the actions displayed by radical Muslims, so the balance of islam is tainted. If ever humanity feared an alien invasion from space, by hostile, murderous beings…they need have no fear at all, for they landed here 1400 years ago!!!
She has been assasinated and time gone out from our approach.beautifull i cone of political science,unique figure,sign of democracy in Pakistan disappeared for ever.
People of Pakistan understand she has been removed from the political arena by a planed consipracy.A consipracy was hatched inside the corridors of ruling chambers.
In fact, her security was delibately overlooked in this way a chance provided to the assisin to committe the heinous crime.So hired killer targeted her when she was getting into the vehical,fired and there after a powerfull bomb blasted which claimed many other lives.
”smashed her head against a lever of her car sunproof”saying brg.cheema,in a hurriedly called news conference in Islamabad other day.
He presented news men some footage of the occurence and tried to prove government claim .
He also said , intercepted a call ,insurgent were saying congratulation eachother.
Ccording to the Interiour Minister,Benazir received no bullet injury on her person,he further saying that hearing blast she could not control herself and fell down and received head injury which caused her death.
On the other hand ,Rehman malik described the statement as ”pack of lies”He stated that she got fatel injuries on her neck and head.
”she may died from shrapnel wound”Dr.Mussadiq is saying.
In this way cause of death has become a disputed matter.
In the light of abovementioned statement we come to the conclusion that efforts are being made tranfering the blaim to others like Alqaeda,
According to an eyewitness,who was also injured in the horrible incident,he saw a young man aged 20 or 21 years,having gun in his hand,targeted Benazir and fired and aftermath a blast occured what happened thereafter he knew nothing.
Everyone knew that she would come into power by popular vote.it was untolrable for some paticular quarters.so a consipracy was hatched and under the planed programm she was removed from the political scene.
Democracy in Pakistan impossible.
free,fair and transparent election in Pakistan impossible.
Independent judiciary in Pakistan impossible.
Independent print and electronic media in Pakistan impossile.
Fundamental rights in Pakistan impossibel.
social justice in Pakistan impossible.
safety in Pakistan impossible.
Equity in Pakistan impossible.
What kind of dierection we have set?
in fact,we have adopted the way leading to failed state.
Having seen the situation my eyes burst into tears.
I am still in deep shock by the sad news. I’ve written a poem in remembrance of the late Benazir Bhutto.
Goodbye, Pakistani Rose
By Yiyan HAN (copyright(c))
Last modified: 2007-12-29
Disclaimer: The modified song lyrics in this blog is purely for my personal use. The copyright of ‘Candle in the Wind’ belongs to the original authors, and it must not be violated.
Goodbye, Pakistani rose
May you ever blossom in our hearts
You were a ray of sunshine
In a place of the darkest night
You called out to our country
And cried out for justice and freedom
Now the star Bhutto who’s true to Benazir
Watches over our people from the heaven
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a torch in the storm
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your footsteps will always fall here
On the longest road to Rawalpindi
Your leading figure’s left long before
Your legend ever will
Bravery we’ve lost
These empty days without your voice
This torch we’ll always carry
For one of our nation’s greatest daughters
And even though we try
The truth brings us to tears
All our words cannot express
Your uphill struggle through the years
Goodbye, Pakistani rose
From a country lost without your soul
Who’ll miss the wings of your compassion
More than you’ll ever know
Goodbye, Pakistani rose
May you ever blossom in our hearts
Your leading figure’s left long before
Your legend ever will
Goodbye, Pakistani rose
May you ever blossom in our hearts
Your leading figure’s left long before
Your legend ever will
The origin of the song “Candle in the Wind” may be found at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/politics97/diana/lyrics.html
Hi to all,
Shame on You Steve
I think Benazir Bhutto realising the fact that it has been Army Regime through out Pakistan’s 60 years since independence. People of Pakistan have only seen, Inflation, unemployment, Non availability of basic necessities, insecure lives & this has been proved during democracy that it has provided ample opportunities.
The figure goes more than 2 millions graduates unemployed.
Steve before writing critics you need to be a part of Pakistan before you speak.
Off course no one is perfectly alright, Neither was Tony Blair nor President Bush.
Well the things is Pakistan is moving towards separation of the provinces and that is very sure now.
I pray to God that it will all go well.
Thanks
check out this link
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2660368.cms
It clearly shows that the Monster created by US and Pakistan has come back to haunt them.
Its high time USA rethinks its foreign policy.The cold war is over.Now instead of turning the present situation to a religious war, they should think of resolving the Isreli/Palestine issue and douse the fire of terrorism.
Benazir has been assassinated by CIA.Dawn news,a private news channel, has disclosed some pictures which clearly reveals the involvement of two agents in assassination.One who shooted may belong to CIA and the other,suspected bomber,may have been sent by ISI to remove every sort of evidence.This assassination is sequel to the extermination all those leaders who took part in Islamic conference held in Pakistan in the reign of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.Bhuttos will die but bhuttoism will never.
Steve- you quote the Bush machine Talk Radio in the US.
Thank you for identifying the source of your comments- talking points.
And I also listen to the BBC George, am I a double agent George? All I know is that even before the “PPP” appointed Bhutto’s son as the new head of the PPP, I was saying she did what she did out of personal/family ambition, and not about democracy. Now that her 19 year old son is the head of the PPP, can anyone deny this is all about a family’s ambition to rule Pakistan and not about democracy? But please, feel free to live in denial. I think a lot of people here are clueless about human nature, and pretty much all politicians, wherever they live, want power for ambition reasons, not because they want to represent the people. Just some countries have lesser amounts of corruption, but all nations have corruption nonetheless. Seems like some people on WHYS were born yesterday.
Hammad, how do you know they were CIA agents? Were they wearing CIA t-shirts and hats? You know, the kinds you can get for $5 from street vendors in Washington, DC?
Steve- “am I a double agent George?”
Where did that come from?
Interesting a remark about them was inserted that was not there when I replied to your Republican talking points references. Hammad’s claim was not on the board when I posted but now is with yours.
Steve-
Could “Hammad” be a straw man?
Do they sell beanies with propellers on the top in D.C. also?
I don`t know but I punt that CIA is involved directly or indirectly in this assassination.Assassination of members of Bhutto family is similar to that of Indra Ghandi and its family.I don`t think that any local element or agency is involved in this assassination.Only western forces could get a benefit from killing prominent muslim leaders.
There are opinions like that the present Government should resign because of their failure in protecting life of such a great leader like Benazir Bhutto and such other uncontrollable situations in the country.
Benazir’s assasination means very little chance of true democracy in Pakistan soon. Election in the prevailing situation seems better to delay.
Benazir’s assasination indicates that there are negative challenges behind true democracy in the country and as a result democracy in Pakistan may get a tremendous challenge to have it settled here in a better prospective manner sooner or latter if the struggle continues in persistence.
Benazir’s assasination indicates that there are negative challengesbehind true democracy in the country and as a result democracy in Pakistan may get a tremendous challenge to have it settled here in a better prospective manner sooner or latter if the struggle continues in persistence.