Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been killed

 

CNN has just recently confirmed that the former PM was shot in the back of the neck shortly after a suicide bombing at a rally where she was due to speak. Minutes ago CNN confirmed that the former Prime Minister died at 0616 EST this morning. Reports indicate that at least 5 shots were fired at her resulting in one hit. No further information is available at this time.

 

Later

D

That can't be good

Just found out about this

 

I truly hope that the General in charge over there didn't have anything to do with this but seeing how desparate he is to

hold onto power makes one wonder. Very convientiant for him seeing how she was his main rival in the elections about to happen.

My view has always been that everytime we support a dictator (regardless if their moderate or not), has always ended badly for America. My personal view has always been never to support these idiots because they aren't elected by the people and usually wind up an enemy of the people.

Maybe one day we'll learn, and maybe not.....

 

 

Sincerely

KellyC

"Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it." My wife is from the Philippines and I lived there for years. Ferdinand Marcos and Ninoy Aquino ring any bells for anyone? The problem now is that as things unravel in Pakistan, we're talking nukes.

 

Buddha

Amazing how fast the government said she died by self inflicted injury to the skull and produced a tape congratulating a known kingpin terrorist for the killing. Pity they foregoed the autopsy, just a minor detail and all that mumbo jumbo.

 

Yeah I think this is going to get ugly before it gets any better.

I watched the video of the attack itself and the guy was pretty darn close to her, even using one hand for the pistol he managed to get off what sounded like 4 shots at her before the explosion. I smell fish...

 

 

Sincerely

KellyC

Based on my experience in the ME, I'd say "Ugly" is an understatement. If we're smelling fish here in the US on this, imagine what her Pakistani supporters are smelling. Distrust of all things governmental is standard in that part of the world. Bin Laden and his merry men may be an easy scapegoat for this one, but whose power was threatened by her return? I worked with many Pakistanis when I was in the KSA, and Benazir was extremely well liked. If the Pakistani military fractures over this, we're going to see serious problems.

 

Buddha

Based on my experience in the ME, I'd say "Ugly" is an understatement. If we're smelling fish here in the US on this, imagine what her Pakistani supporters are smelling. Distrust of all things governmental is standard in that part of the world. Bin Laden and his merry men may be an easy scapegoat for this one, but whose power was threatened by her return? I worked with many Pakistanis when I was in the KSA, and Benazir was extremely well liked. If the Pakistani military fractures over this, we're going to see serious problems.

 

Buddha

 

To play devil's advocate, would the extremists want...to eliminate someone who was a vocal opponent of both themselves and the current regime. Then they can just sit back with a smile and watch the Bhutto's supporters further weaken the current Musharraf regime. It plays both of their opponents against each other.

 

It all works to their benefit and furthers the chaos in country, which is edging dangerously closer to becoming a failed state with nuclear weapons.

Based on my experience in the ME, I'd say "Ugly" is an understatement. If we're smelling fish here in the US on this, imagine what her Pakistani supporters are smelling. Distrust of all things governmental is standard in that part of the world. Bin Laden and his merry men may be an easy scapegoat for this one, but whose power was threatened by her return? I worked with many Pakistanis when I was in the KSA, and Benazir was extremely well liked. If the Pakistani military fractures over this, we're going to see serious problems.

 

Buddha

 

To play devil's advocate, would the extremists want...to eliminate someone who was a vocal opponent of both themselves and the current regime. Then they can just sit back with a smile and watch the Bhutto's supporters further weaken the current Musharraf regime. It plays both of their opponents against each other.

 

It all works to their benefit and furthers the chaos in country, which is edging dangerously closer to becoming a failed state with nuclear weapons.

 

While what you say certainly has possibilities, my experience in the ME argues against it. Most of those cats just don't think that way. They see something they disagree with, especially on religious grounds, and blindly attack. I think you're giving the extremists credit for a slyness and cunning that most of them simply don't posess.

 

Buddha

OK

 

I think you're giving the extremists credit for a slyness and cunning that most of them simply don't posess.

 

I do not want to underestimate them. While the current leader is nowhere near squeaky-clean, I still will hold my opinion that it would be lower ranks of the military/intelligence service co-opted by the extremists who pulled this off.

 

[Edit:] Who had the most to benefit from this in-fighting between the non-extremists?

I don't know enough facts to dispute what you say, so I'll admit it's a distinct possibility. I still believe that this one is a rerun of the Marcos/Aquino situation. Hopefully, the truth will eventually come out and we'll know which one of us is correct. I wouldn't count on it though.

 

Buddha