Benazir Bhutto assassinated!

or; a tragedy in Pakistan.

from JoeUser Forums
(Read the story here.)

Breaking news out of Pakistan. Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been assassinated by asshole extremists just a few days before the first elections for Prime Minister in many years in the country.

A suicide bomber finally took her out, after a failed attempt a few weeks ago.

This truly is a tragedy for the country. She was Prime MInister twice, and did a lot of good for her country when she was leader. She was a female PM in the Muslim world, which in and of itself is pretty laudable. I hoped that she would win the upcoming elections, to engender better relations between the US and Pakistan, as well as knowing that it's not a military madman in charge of the country.

On a more personal note, she came to my university two years ago. I was able to listen to her speech, and (through some great connections with a wonderful profesora) was able to meet her and talk to her a bit afterwards. I found her intelligent, eloquent, composed, and nothing short of stunning.

Asshole extremists.
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11,901 views 17 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yes, I just heard and recognized that this will be big news for the next few days, I'm sure.

That pic you put up is a beautiful picture of her. She will be missed by many in her country. So sad that one feels the right to take the life of another.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
That's cool you were actually able to meet her in person.

I've been kind of keeping my ear to the ground about this upcoming issue and was very saddened about this tragedy. It will be interesting if Pakistan will be able to loosen it's grip from chaos within.
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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thank you for posting this. I woke up this morning to news of her death and it ha shaken me all day.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

I was sad to read about this this morning.  I had high hopes for her ability to pull her country out of the downward spiral it's in.

Now that she's gone, I'm not holding out much hope at all for that to happen.  Pakistan is a power keg, and it's not going to take a whole lot for it to blow up (much like Ms Bhuto did yesterday).

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
It's a shame she was assassinated, but she wasn't a great president. She was utterly corrupt and hopelessly nepotistic. Still, she was better than Musharef so I suppose that counts for something.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Now that she's gone, I'm not holding out much hope at all for that to happen. Pakistan is a power keg, and it's not going to take a whole lot for it to blow up (much like Ms Bhuto did yesterday).
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the bomb missed her. they had to put 5 bullets in her.
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
I don't have the same opinion as Cacto as I thought she had a good rein on the factions in Pakistan. But from his point of view, I think she was the far-lesser of some incredibly evil choices Pakistani people had to make. Her death is going to lead to massive destabilisation in the region.

She will be missed by many in her country[/'quote]

What a typically Amero-centric thing to say. So many US citizens think the world revolves around the US and countrys like Pakistan don't figure much in the big picture. Well, just you watch. Bhutto's death is going to have massive repercussion right around the world.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
She will be missed by many in her country[/'quote]
End of quote


What a typically Amero-centric thing to say
End of quote


Well is it a true statement or not? Her popularity was fairly high in her country. She will also be very missed by her children left behind. Is that an Amero-centric thing to say as well?



Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
What a typically Amero-centric thing to say. So many US citizens think the world revolves around the US and countrys like Pakistan don't figure much in the big picture.
End of quote


1. I don't think it was Amero-centric, it was a statement of fact.

2. Yes, many citizens do think the world revolves around the US, but that attitude would not be so prevalent if foreigners didn't treat us as it did. EVERY foreigner I've ever encountered has a very strong impression of President Bush (the vast majority strongly against), while many of those same foreigners can't seem to name key memberss of THEIR OWN NATION'S GOVERNMENT (present company, obviously, excluded). When people march in the streets, they don't post the names of Aussie pols or New Zealanders, it's usually the US President or a prominent member of the cabinet that is singled out.

Bhutto's death was a horrible, horrible occurence and will have repurcussions far beyond the borders of Pakistan. Of that, I feel, there is obviously little doubt. But while we in the United States may see the serious implications of the death of someone like Bhutto, we will not "miss" her in the same sense as her countrymen, many of whom worked hard for her return from exile.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Maso, Neil Peart said it well when he wrote

Better the pride that resides
In a citizen of the world
Than the pride that divides
When a colorful rag is unfurled
End of quote


Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
on fox tonight the quest suggested that this was comparable with JFK.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Her popularity was fairly high in her country. She will also be very missed by her children left behind.


Bhutto wasn't 'fairly' popular in her country. She was very popular. And of course she'll be missed by her children. This is not what I said. Why twist it around like this? Clearly, you don't understand just how important and how popular she was right around the world. Otherwise you wouldn't have made the 'missed in her country' statement.

Gid,

Yes, of course, it was a statement of fact but such a statement can also be be viewed as slightly ignorant and almost condescending. It doesn't change that it is a fact. I was in shock when I heard the news and wanted to convey just how much of an effect her death would have on the people of the WORLD, not just her countrymen.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
the bomb missed her. they had to put 5 bullets in her.
End of quote


No, it didn't miss her. She wasn't shot, she was killed by massive head injuries from the shrapnel that entered her skull.

KFC, Maso is correct in his assertion that she wasn't 'fairly' popular, she was MASSIVELY so. Her death jeopardizes the future of democracy in Pakistan.

Jeez, doesn't anyone listen to/watch the news anymore? Most people are ignorant as to her impact and influence on her country - did people even know she was exiled until recently?
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
EVERY foreigner I've ever encountered has a very strong impression of President Bush (the vast majority strongly against), while many of those same foreigners can't seem to name key memberss of THEIR OWN NATION'S GOVERNMENT (present company, obviously, excluded). When people march in the streets, they don't post the names of Aussie pols or New Zealanders, it's usually the US President or a prominent member of the cabinet that is singled out.
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Whilst I can't tell you that your experiences have been wrong, I can say that my experiences have been the total opposite of yours. Also, I'd have to disagree with your assertion about the US politicians and leaders being villified over leaders of other countries. I read British newpapers every day and am constantly seeing articles about marches against European leaders.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Her death jeopardizes the future of democracy in Pakistan.
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In a way yes and in a way no. Democracy as foreigners would have it - yes. Democracy as Pakistanis would have it - probably not. The Islamic right seem to be extremely popular, particularly in rural areas. They're also fairly well-known for being less corrupt than the democrats or Musharef. Personally I think it would be better for Pakistan to learn first-hand that Islamofascists aren't any better than regular every day fascists. Whether that's better for the world is of course another matter.

Jeez, doesn't anyone listen to/watch the news anymore? Most people are ignorant as to her impact and influence on her country - did people even know she was exiled until recently?
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There was an article posted on JU recently that complained about having so much international news over Christmas. I got the impression Americans don't want to know about non-US affairs, particularly at Christmas time. I guess it's because the names are too tricky and the stories are always so upsetting.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
When people march in the streets, they don't post the names of Aussie pols or New Zealanders, it's usually the US President or a prominent member of the cabinet that is singled out.


Gid, I have to say I completely disagree with this. When Aussies were protesting the current war, John Howard's name figured prominently in all their campaigns. Sure, Bush also figured prominently, as did Tony Blair. The American media would slant coverage to give them an angle as would any country's media agencies.
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
KFC, Maso is correct in his assertion that she wasn't 'fairly' popular, she was MASSIVELY so. Her death jeopardizes the future of democracy in Pakistan.

Jeez, doesn't anyone listen to/watch the news anymore?
End of quote


Bhutto wasn't 'fairly' popular in her country. She was very popular
End of quote


The news expressly reported that she had a 35-40% popularity rating in her country. I'm going on that figure. Yes she was popular. I wouldn't say MASSIVELY so or her population percentage would have been MASSIVELY higher and she wouldn't have been killed in the first place.

And Dharma I do watch the news. I happen to be a news junkie. So now I have to ask you your definition of MASSIVE?

What I do agree with you on is how it affects the future of Pakistan.