Saturday, October 20, 2007
Carnival turns to carnage


Bhutto’s return had been transformed into a wretched, blood-soaked tableau.


I knew we were heading in the right direction, because of the convoy of ambulances speeding the other way, ferrying the wounded to hospital. As we approached, it suddenly became clear that this was a major attack in which many, many people had perished.

On the central barrier of the highway, I saw the first of the bodies: A bearded man, lying frozen on the floor, his hands clasped together, his mouth slightly open, his bare feet black with dirt.

As I walked forward, into the knot of traffic and bystanders, I started to see more bodies, some lying face down, some carefully arranged in rows. And then I noticed the body-parts. There was a foot, a scrap of scalp, with hair matted in blood and a glistening pile of intestines.

At the epicenter of the bombing, rivulets of blood were running across the road, ambulance sirens competed with each other, making conversation impossible. My feet scrunched on broken glass, and then slipped on human flesh.

There was an acrid, overwhelming smell of explosives. The wounded were still being loaded on to stretchers by harassed paramedics. It was chaotic and horrifying. There were still hundreds of PPP supporters standing and watching, some shouting into their mobile phones, others helping to move the dead.

In the center of the road, the blackened skeleton of a burnt out car smoldered. Next to it, a badly damaged police truck, and then 20 feet away, was the bus that had been carrying Benazir Bhutto. It was burnt and peppered with shrapnel, the windscreen had been cracked and the driver’s cab was damaged.

Benazir’s photo stared out from the side, watching the awful carnage impassively.

We'd been watching this motorcade earlier in the evening, and I remember thinking what an easy target it represented. It was moving at a walking pace, mobbed by thousands of people. There were nowhere near enough police to hold back the crowds. An attack seemed inevitable. All that surprised me was that it took so long for them to strike.

A full 10 hours after she landed, the carnival of Bhutto’s return had suddenly been transformed into a wretched, blood-soaked tableau.

In a lengthy press conference the next day, Benazir Bhutto tried to strike a defiant tone, talking about fighting for democracy and freedom, and resisting the extremists.

But her critics are furious at her refusal to heed police warnings and scale back her procession.

The editorial pages of the Dawn newspaper in Karachi raise similar questions. "It must be asked of the PPP leaders: Was the slow crawl necessary?" asks the main editorial.

A letter printed opposite puts it more bluntly: "Why was Ms. Bhutto allowed to proceed, putting so many lives in jeopardy? Was it so important to make a display of public strength for the benefit of western benefactors on whose nod Ms. Bhutto was returning, that the massacre of hundreds of people was considered an acceptable loss?"

These are questions which may damage her standing as the countdown begins to January’s parliamentary elections.

But Benazir Bhutto seems determined for her campaign to go ahead amid this taut atmosphere, with the very real threat of further attacks.

-- From Dan Rivers, CNN International Correspondent.
What a shame!! All this for what? I lived in Pakistan during the years of Benazir and Nawaz sham democracies. They looted a poor country's wealth. She has palaces all over the world. It seemed she couldn't stoop lower than that. But here she is back with a bang. This time she will toy with poor people's lives. She says she had concrete reports of suicide bombing and more warnings an hour before it happened and still she let it continue? I wish she kept $1.5 billion and left pakistanis alone.
The question we should ask is: who is the person who has benefited the most due to this bombing on her convoy? And how come she survived the blast?

The answer is obvious. This is a beautiful set up by her with the help of the americans. This bombing has established her again in the political scene in Pakistan.
Rather than engaging those radical elements in dialogue and hammering out the differences, Bhutto comes to Pakistan with the same agenda which has sparked wars all over the Middle East -

"democracy and freedom!"

She sounds like George Bush's parrot. Now is NOT the time for this, because it leading to wars and opposing parties to react as we can see. Therefore, Bhutto is responsible for this terrible incident. She intenionally provoked them, and she got the predicted response. Now she will use this as a reason to spark a civil war in the country - radicals vs. moderates.

Thanks,
Nadir Ahmed
www.ExamineTheTruth.com
Sympathies and prayers for the all the victims of the barbaric attack. May God bring sanity to these extremists.
Prayers and sympathies go out to all the victims of the barbaric attack. May God give sense to these extremist preying on innocent civilians.
Nadir if it be a civil war ... be it. But I do not want to live in the shadow of sucide bombers. A sucide bomber is a radical, and they give all Muslims a bad name. How will anyone reason bombing innocent civilians of your own country. What crime is committed if I want democracy over a military dictator? It is my opinion and my choice.

Democracy and freedom is not a slogan patented by Bush. It is slogan of many oppressed people around the world and not limited to Middle East.

Her father made the same slogan and died for his belief for democracy.
Please don't buy into the hype that the western media is portraying about this person. She has ruled Pakistan twice with an Iron fist, everyone who opposed her ended up dead including her own brother. She can only bring misery to that part of the world. If you can find newspapers from the summer of 1994/95 you will see the carnage she left in Pakistan. Its the Rich paying the rich. She says democracy, our politicans send billions to Pakistan and she buys castles in England. Neither the people of Pakistan or the United States benefit from this joke of a democracy.
Benzir is solely responsible for this. She gave sadaqa for herself of two goats in Dubai just for herself and not the other innocents. Allah is great.

Zardari too is responsible for this. To me all this is a drama to win public sympathy.

Ali.
Right now Benazir Bhutto is the bravest woman on earth. You fear her because God forbid a woman be elcted for a third time. She needs to take her rightful place. As far as Bush goes, he has not shown any signs of support for her and is strangly silent on the matter. My family and I live for the day when he is replaced by a woman as well. Long live democracy and true goodness.
Shame on Benazir. There are two possibilities, one that the attack was staged, which means she is shameless. The other one is just as bad. She refused to let Musharraf protect her fully, and tried to show off knowing she was risking not hundreds, but potentially thousands of lives. Except her own bomb-proof truck. And then she complains about street lights? Musharraf did not invite her back. When she refused to let the government protect her, how can she complain about street lights being off? Why didnt she take a morning flight then. Shame. Unfortunately, if this either corrupt or un-intelligent woman does not get power, it will likely go to some other radical who will take pakistan back another 20 years into another dark age. So she should fight for democracy, fight against terrorism for the rest of her life, or transfer full power to another man who is committed to doing this, Musharraf.
Shameless selfish act.
Its a sad sad sad sad story.Since I have opened my eyes , each night I pRy that Pakistan becomes a Country peaceand love.I got married moved to US have a family , so much has changed in my life.But my beloved city of Karachi , it seems dies a new death everyday.I wish all these politicians would understand just one thing.That no matter how much wealth and power they accumalate in the end , we will all end up in dust.This beautiful country of our is where we'll go back at the end of the day and if its not there , WE WILL BE WITHOUT A HOME!This goes beyond religion , beyond culture and race.Its a simple matter of human understanding and empathy.
It's a same old game, being played by these "so-called" politicians over the bodies of poor Pakistani people. These politicians have caused a misery in Pakistan. Same families are ruling the country ever since independence. That's why Pakistan is lagging so far behind than India, in pretty much every field. It's time for Pakistani people to wake up and get rid of all these politicians and illiterate mullahs forever and bring educated, moderate people in power. We must learn how to behave and live in this world. Our actions even on a smaller level can be seen all over the world. We must act now, or it will be too late, before Pakistan vanishes from the map.
comment from dude below is on point.
What happened on the day of Bhutto's return was tragic and must be condemned as much as possible. It highlights once again the sacrafices of the people of Pakistan. Except for a few extremists, we are a peace loving and moderate nation.

Ms.Bhutto on her part could have helped avoid what happened had she heeded government advice and cut short the road-trip. Given her past record, how much she will be willing to reform Pakistan is a question that will remain unanswered.

The international community on its part must ensure that she commits whole heartedly to the direction that General Musharaf has set for this country and helps him in the fight against extremists.
The carnage clearly seems to be a publicity stunt aimed at attracting sympathy of the masses. The bomb was detonated at a safe distance from Ms. Bhutto’s special bulletproof truck and nobody accompanying her on the truck was seriously injured.

The crowd turnout and the casualties seem to be grossly exaggerated. I passed through the bombing site just after 16 hours of the blast and the area was not even cordoned. It did not at all look like a site where about 150 people had been blown to pieces just hours earlier. Proper investigation demands that each and every tidbit on and around the site should be carefully examined but the spot has become a public attraction – what a shame!

Raamis Ali
karachiite.forever@gmail.com
This is the same Benazir Bhutto who only few years ago was banned from lecturing at European institutions because of her links to corruption scandals. But times have changed, and Bhutto once again has won Western favor.
Read all about her corruption investigations, one wonder why Pakistanis who know about all this still want to welcome her.
http://www.samsloan.com/benazir.htm
One hundred forty people are dead
because of Benazier Bhutoo and her party.Goverment of Pakistan offered her Helicopter to get out safely from Air Port but she preferred to go with public procession to get more publicity.She and her party is responsible for innocent people deaths. She and Party leaders should get arrested and bring to justice. Politians of Pakistan should look not only for their safety but also for public safety.She was informed in advance about suicidal attack but she ignored it because she wanted cheap publicity and not public safety.
Bhutto was told and knew this might happen, and it did eventually, killing over a 100 poor people.

If you are a leader and know your people might die, would you hold such pomp and show?

If she doesnt care for her party workers would she even think about the rest of the country folk? I seriously doubt that she would.

The world should see through her fake "leadership" now.
We can say anything about the manner in which Bhutto has conducted herself in these last few days, as well as years. What most bloggers here cant seem to realize is that the attackers targeted people. This wasn't a surgical attack on an unwanted political figure, it was a blatant act of extremist carnage. Please, never forget that wars are started by the people with the weapons who are willing to use them against men, women, and children. Not by an individual who wants to see order in a chaotic social structure. Shame on you who justify violence as a political statement. Tell that to the entire families that died while peacefully assembling to share their own beliefs. They might not agre with yours, but who are you to say your beliefs are better than theirs, and they deserve to die because you are right, and they are wrong.
Well it was a terrible and a painful act of cruelty! No doubt about that I feel sad and depressed living in Karachi experiencing such acts since the past eight years or so. Well I just read a lot of comments on this issue listed here but I feel even sadder that people just see this problem so superficially.

For everyone’s benefit I would like to state that these extremists were created during the eighties to topple the USSR and after that they were left directionless to figure out there destiny. Clearly the west and Pakistani ISI are responsible for using them and abandoning them lose to find out there new objectives.

Now we as Pakistanis specifically need to understand that with USA in Afghanistan and the end of Kashmir Jehadd all these militants are living in Pakistan and targeting what ever they classify wrong. They were recruited to die in the first place but they were not able to so therefore they are now finding any way to die and go to the Heaves.

Now blaming Benazir Bhutto and the PPP for this particular is naive and superficial. Saying all these rallies should not take place is not the solution cause they are part of political process a lot of us Pakistanis are not aware of and do not understand. That is because we have been deprived of political evolution since the time of our creation. And how can PPP undertake this for political point scoring. If that is true than Musharaf had two assassination attempts on his life so may be he had them executed to stay in power? And also Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had a suicide bomber attack him in an Attock rally to win the election he would have never own otherwise! This the same kind of ignorance which kept all of us looking the other way when these same militants were blowing up innocent worshipers in Imambargahs cause all of it didn’t target us but now all of us are targets and we are getting worried.

Please enlighten up and try to see beyond your biases.
Yep, it's always America's fault, isn't it. A wonderful set up with the help of the Americans, despite the fact that it was likely not an American that planned the attack, anymore than it was an American that executed the attack.

Instead of engage the radical elements in dialogue and hammering out the differences (that's worked really well in Isreal, hasn't it?), Bhutto comes to Pakistan with the 'same agenda which has sparked wars all over the middle east: "democracy and freedom".

Why have wars been sparked by calls for democracy and freedom? What is it about democracy and freedom that so enrages the radical elements? Is it because, when viewed under the harsh light of reality that these radical elements come across as tin pot dictators that rule by terror and ignorance, fueling the hatred that keeps that region such a hot-bed of, well, hot heads?

The question (which is obviously answered by the questioner) is 'who benefitted the most from the bombing of her convoy? and how come she survived the blast?" The fact that these questions are patently absurd aside, especially the self-answered first part. Who REALLY would have benefitted from the attack? And who REALLY would have benefitted from her violent demise? Certainly not Bhutto, that's for sure, unless she seem to want to die as a martyr (and, from what I've seen of her past performance, she's got more good sense than that). And if any kind of investigation would cast light on those oh-so-evil Americans and Bhutto's grandstanding, why is Pakistan not allowing a full investigation into this?

Are they afraid of what they'd *REALLY* find?

I'd take that bet. However, since the Pakistani government doesn't seem to be interested in finding out which part of the current regime actually planned this (at least publicly -- the medals and citations and award payments can come later).

There are those that hope sanity and sense can be brought to these radical elements that are attempting to promote their personal version of government (peace be damned). I personally see those as forelorn hopes over a foregone conclusion.

Some of the comments, while saddening, are pitifully predictable.

I know a goodly number of very generous Americans who are getting extremely fed up with donating all these goods and aid, only to have the thanks delivered by a spit in the face.

There's a saying that states "Damned if you do, Damned if you don't." Personally, I'm tired of doing and being damned. Maybe it's time we started being damned for not doing, letting those poor people get an eyeful of just how much this evil satan has actually improved (if not made possible the continued existence of) their life.

Maybe we should start becoming more non-interventionist. Next time some random city gets flattened by an earthquake, we should probably shrug our shoulders, extend our sympathy, complete with platitudes that "We feel your pain", and wish you the best of luck.

Best of luck!
Lollywood Actors are much better than these so called politicians, they cant even do a single 10 minute cutscene..

Its bad those people are really innocent, they dont even have anything to do with benazir or with the politics of pakistan. i just dont understand one is trying too hard to survive in this country, anywhere you go ull find the poverty and the unemployment rate graduation is exceptional and still these people gets the time to attend a 24 Hour Rally.

When will these people understand and now its the time to change when will people change it is because of us that our leaders are not like us or they might not even think like us ....

I just prey whatever happens may Allah keep all of us on Sirat-e-Mustqeem.
I felt compelled to write. So many comments and so few to see the truly guilty. Sorry to say, strength of convictions or not, putting myself in Benazir Bhutto's place, you couldn't have paid me to ride in that welcoming motorcade. I know I would have forgone the motorcade because I am gutless and haven't the nerve! What would that have shown the people I have come back to? Bhutto obviously believes in herself, loves her country, and seems like a strong personality, so perhaps she should be given a chance to at least lay out her ideas for change and let the people decide what they want. There is nothing wrong with democracy & freedom and if everyone would just stand up and be counted, vote, help others, spread the word, or just aknowledge those who wish to greet you by driving through the streets in a motorcade things would change. The guilty are those who use bombs & violence instead.
Why can´t they leave her alone.
I cant imagine the grief of the families whose loved ones have been killed.
I pray that, for once, the murderers are found and no mercy is shown to them.
This has to be the most predictable terrorist attack ever. Staging a rally in Karachi is quite risky in the first place. I question why PPP chose to move the procession and such a slow pace. They could have easily completed the proceeding before sunset. It was being said that had the bombimgs not taken place, this procession would have taken a further 15 hours! They were simply asking for trouble.
The organizers of this event must take their share of the blame.

Benazir is being projected by the Western media as a saviour of Pakistan. However, the truth is that she looted Pakistan like no other. If that isnt enough, this time around,she brings a foreign agenda.I dont think Pakistan can survive a third term of Benazir.
I read some of these Blogs that suggest that Bhutto caused the deaths of these innocent lives by showing up in the streets after she was warned about a possible attack on her life. Wake up people!! Don't you see that this is what the extreamist want? To have Bhutto and other leaders who stand for freedom to be scared and hide in the shadows and to make threats so that these Freedom lovers don't get their voices heard. THATS EXACTLY WHAT THESE EXTREAMIST WANT..... for all of us who stand for freedom to be affraid. It was a terrible act of terror and innocent lives have parished, but I am sure all of them or most of them knew it was a risk to be out in the streets supporting Bhutto. They died in a cause to promote freedoms.
It strikes me that the Pakistani's have a choice of what to support.

They have to choose between an imperfect system of government and all of its current faults, or the extremists. The radical extremists, under the guise of religion will offer no choices, no sufferage, and no civil liberties for the population. Those who do not follow their interpretation of their rules will see no mercy.

The Pakistani's will reap the future that they fight for. I just hope that the majority are not so disillusioned with the problems they have seen that they sell their souls to the devil to change things. Change born of desparation is not always good.
In her recent article (Journeying to Democracy) written right at the time she was about to board the plane to return to Pakistan, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had to say the following; “the forces of moderation and democracy must, and will, prevail against extremism and dictatorship. I will not be intimidated. I will step out on the tarmac in Karachi not to complete a journey, but to begin one. Despite threats of death, I will not acquiesce to tyranny, but rather lead the fight against it”.

And, as promised, she did in fact arrive in Pakistan on 18 Oct-07 and did indeed step out on the tarmac in Karachi greeted by hundreds and thousands of her supporters that had gathered to welcome her from Kashmir to Karachi and from Peshawar to Pasni. Huge crowd of PPP Jiayalas and Jan-Nisaran-e-Benazir (volunteers ready to die for Benazir) consisting of men & women and young & old had endured the heat, thirst and hunger all day long just to have a simple glimpse of their beloved leader – Benazir – who had returned after enduring a long hardship away from her country and her party supporters. The massive crowd along her motorcade, singing, dancing and visibly & genuinely jubilant was simply a delight to watch. Mohtarma was also visibly overjoyed and excited at this non-parreil reception, only seen before when she had earlier arrived in Lahore in 1986 during yet another military ruler – General Zia ul Haq. This was a carnival that only Benazir had the charisma to bring about.

This delightful and rare sight of genuine extreme crowd of PPP supporters coming out to welcome their leader obviously did not bode well with those who were in wishful thinking before that people would not come out for her in such a large number this time around. Deep down, however, they very well knew that the PPP Jiyalas were still with her and that her support-base was still very much in tact. This fact was aptly demonstrated in the 2002 general elections when PPP was on record to have bagged the highest number of popular votes in the same. However, what could any one do if some body was in “state of denial”?

Although international players brokered an understanding between Benazir and Musharraf, many in the Sarkari Muslim League (the King’s party consisting mostly of the remnants of General Zia) were not happy at this though. This was clearly visible from their body language and the rhetoric that they had chosen to engage in. The filthy and un-parliamentary comment of “Raat Gayee Baat Gayee” (one night stand) by one of the principal leaders of the King’s party and terming the National Reconciliation Ordinance (aka NRO) as some sort of government’s trick with Benazir was indeed a shameless thing to do. Similar comments from some of his cohorts against the Benazir-Musharraf understanding were speaking volumes about the frustrations and fears about their own very future. It was interesting, however, to note that the same very people had earlier endorsed the NRO, in a special Cabinet meeting called in by the Prime Minister, for the same very purpose and which also remained the principal basis of understanding between Benazir and President Musharraf. The same understanding had in fact paved the way for Benazir’s decision to return to the country.

Benazir had understood this phenomenon very well and had also explained the reason of this panic in their rank & file. She had said that these people did not want to see an end to the military rule and return to democracy. They feared that with the military gone they would have to pack their bags as well. That is why when President Musharraf had suggested to Mohtarma to defer her arrival for few more weeks, these people were seen jumping on the bandwagon too. They also started trumpeting in “his master’s voice” by demanding her to accede to Musharraf’s suggestion. And, on purpose they also chose to bring in the fear factor of terrorist attack on her. One of them had even opined that Benazir was oblivion of the changed conditions in Pakistan and that in the wake of a terrorist attack she would not be able survive as Rafiq Hariri did not. Comparing Benazir with Rafiq Hariri was a sinister design, which was nothing but a veiled threat to her. This sudden barrage of rhetoric by these people could be explained through the very old adage that says, “if one can not attack the message, he/she chooses to attack the messenger”. Benazir’s mission is for democracy and empowerment of the people. Since they cannot defeat her on this front, so they have chosen to target her personality; and the easiest thing in Pakistani politics is to label the unfound corruption charges.

Irony is that these people forgot that BB is daughter of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and as such could not go back on her words after giving one to her people. When General Musharraf had personally called her to consider deferring her arrival for few more weeks, she had told him plainly that she could not accede to that as the words given to the people were of utmost importance to her. She would thus proceed as planned and would not postpone despite threats of any kind. And, this is exactly what she did. She boarded the plane to Karachi as planned. Not only that, upon her arrival at Karachi airport, she also refused to accept the government’s security suggestion of canceling the planned motorcade parade through Shara-e-Faisal and taking a helicopter to her residence at Bilawal House, instead. This she had explained to Christina Lamb – her old friend and correspondent of Daily Sunday Times - who had also accompanied her in the cavalcade. Christina Lamb, in her latest article “It was what we feared, but dared not to happen”, narrates that as BB’s plane landed at Karachi airport, a message came from the government to her security adviser, Rehman Malik. “They told us it wasn’t safe and they would take her in a helicopter direct to Bilawal House,” he said later. According to Christina Lamb, Bhutto was defiant and insisted to go ahead as per plan dismissing it as the government attempt to stop her triumphant homecoming. She explained by adding, “They had come from all over the country, taking days and spending what little money they have. How could I disappoint them, sneaking in the back door?” This bold stand from her speaks a lot about her character and courage. Despite all odds, she put her life at risk but did not get browbeaten before the threats. She also knew very well that attack on her could come at any time. That is why she had suggested to her comrades not to accompany her in the especially designed bulletproof truck with her. But they had insisted to be there with their leader, no matter what came their way. The reason why she took this risk was that she was returning after about 8 years or so and she wanted to be with the people. The sea of people that had gathered to receive her was an eye-opener for many. This clearly indicated that the Bhutto magic was still alive.

Nasim Zehra has also testified this in her latest op-ed entitled, “Benazir returns to Pakistan and Pakistan to genuine politics”. She said, “Another fact obvious after today's sea support for PPP is that Benazir's engagement with the military President did not markedly minimize her political support. She further adds, “unflinching loyalty, the milling crowds pouring in hundreds all joining to make a sea of human support for their self-exiled leader landing in their midst after eight long years. The Bhutto magic still works. And Pakistan's people still remain vibrant and deeply political………..and political fever in democratic Pakistan is catching on”.

In the backdrop of this historic welcome to her, the ghastly bomb attack directed at her is not very difficult to explain. And, while “who” did it could need investigation however, as to the “why” aspect of it, the same is simple and not difficult to comprehend though, especially after Mohtarma’s statement, in her press conference of the following day, on the same. In the press conference per se she had said, “I know in my heart who my enemies are.” She added, “There is a poem that says that even if you hide yourself behind seven veils, I can still see your hand.” She also added, “I know who wants to kill me; it is the remnants of the former regime of General Zia who are today behind the extremism and the fanaticism.” Mohtarma was bold enough to reveal that the attack was more than an assassination attempt on her, and in fact represented the broader aims of Islamist terrorism. “The attack was not on me, my person alone,” she said, “the attack was on what I represent, it was an attack on democracy, by those who are against the unity and integrity of Pakistan.” She asserted that she would not be cowed down by the attack and said, “The militants are trying to convey the message that the peace-loving people are not safe to gather”. “A minority wants to hijack the destiny of this great nation. And, we will not be intimidated by this minority.” She was very vocal against the hidden hands behind this attack and reiterated, “I know who the forces are of militancy, and I know they want to kill me because they are cowards; they can not face the people of Pakistan in the political field,” she added

In her article, “Benazir Bhutto: The Possibility of Women”, Suzanne Wright speaks very high of the personal traits of Benazir. According to her, Benazir was woman of extraordinary will power and when asked where she gets her strength from, Bhutto responded. “You must have faith in one's self”. One must continue; quitting isn't an option, even if I am tired or sad or depressed. I don't consider the fairness of my life. I have a belief in God, that miracles do happen, that sustains me. Each of us must continue our own mission, as I force myself on my path.” This spirit of her speaks volumes about this courageous woman. Also, in the evening after the attack, Christina Lamb who was with Benazir in her small study in Bilawal House said that Benazir insisted she would not be deterred from her fight to bring back democracy, even if it cost her life. And, Benazir did show up the next day in Jinnah Hospital for a courtesy call to the wounded survivors of the bomb attack and she also paid a homage visit to the Quaid’s mausoleum the same day without any extraordinary security for her.

It is a fact that Benazir is both bold and beautiful. She has opinions of her own on many national and international issues, which she often expresses very boldly and candidly, without mincing words. She speaks from her mind and from her conviction as the former Tory leader and British Prime Minister – Margaret Thatcher also known as the Iron lady - used to do. She speaks the truth, which are often bitter and unpopular especially for those who are affected directly or indirectly by it. Who else in Pakistan can claim to have that ability? Most will agree with me; none at all.

It is not very difficult to understand this element of boldness in her personality & character, especially because of the fact that she remains a Bhutto. As Stanley Wolpert quotes Begum Nusrat Bhutto in his book - Zulfi Bhutto of Pakistan - “Benazir’s character is a lot like her father’s; in her thought, her thinking, her character, she’s a lot like her father – the exact shape of her hand. My husband had very delicate, nice pretty hands. He had a lot of hair when he first married, very wavy.” Who else knows about a person more than his/her mother? Similar views about Benazir are expressed by Kamal Azfar in his article entitled, “Benazir Bhutto: Prospect and Retrospect.” According to him Benazir was the symbol of grace under pressure of enlightenment, of the courage to know and to act.
I kind of agree with the anonymous person afew comments up who talked about being sick of Americans getting part of the blame and all that jazz. I realize that our leaders are 9 out of 10 retarded morons who care more about themselves than the people of the world let alone their own country..but the same can be said of alot of other countries as well.

What alotta people in other countries forget is that a good 90% of us don't agree at all with what our country has been doing in the last decade, and I personally think we need to keep our(USA) noses out of other countries problems.

That being said..here's my opinion on all things like this....

An elaborate and over dramatized soap opera to capture the attention of the world while the real "string pullers" do their thing. I may just be a 23 year old, lazy, American..but I know what I believe and I believe that alotta lives were sacrificed to make the soap opera(world politics) more dramatic.

My prayers go out to those who have been hurt by this farce and also to those who have done the attacking and been sucked in by the farce to do with the string pullers want..my whichever god anybody believes have mercy on them all.
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