BREAKING: Benazir Bhutto under "Detention Order" (read: House Arrest)
It's a good thing things are getting better in Iraq...
By Moe Lane Posted in Breaking News — Comments (12) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
...because they're getting worse in Pakistan:
Pakistan: Bhutto under house detention
By ZARAR KHANISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Pakistani police placed opposition leader Benazir Bhutto under house arrest Friday, uncoiling barbed wire in front of her Islamabad home and reportedly rounding up 5,000 of her supporters to block a mass protest against emergency rule.
Bhutto tried twice to leave by car but was blocked by police after a scuffle with her supporters who tried to remove a barricade. The former prime minister had planned to address a rally in nearby Rawalpindi, defying a ban on public gatherings.
...
Kamal Shah, a top Interior Ministry official, said a district magistrate had served a "detention order" on Bhutto — who last month escaped an assassination attempt by suicide bombers, an attack that killed more than 145 people — so she could not leave her home.
Oh, joy.
Read on.
The ostensible claim is that Bhutto has been placed under a "detention order" to protect her from suicide bombers - which is unfortunately not an absolutely, completely, 100% absurd scenario, thanks to last month's attacks on her - not arrest. You can believe as much of that as you like. I'd like to still think that this might be all staged for the cameras, but I don't think that we should be counting on that and I emphatically don't think that the US government should be counting on that, either.
The WaPo has more details on all of this mess: there are precisely two bright spots in all of it. The first is that we're not at the "people getting shot wholesale" stage. Yet. The second is that there is still the vague sense that neither side is quite yet willing to do something really, really stupid - and irrevocable. Whether either, or both, are bright enough to lighten Pakistan's gloom remains to be seen.
Moe Lane
PS: On the domestic front: if Senator Barack Obama does not take this opportunity that has fallen into his lap to fulminate about Pakistan, then there is indeed no hope for his candidacy.
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BREAKING: Benazir Bhutto under "Detention Order" (read: House Arrest) 12 Comments (0 topical, 12 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
...how her presence in Pakistan is supposed to be a good thing, exactly?
Wasn't she essentially run out of Pakistan on a rail rather than face corruption charges quite a few years ago? (her proponents call it "self-imposed exile" now, but that's not how I remember it.)
What makes her suddenly relevant again, except that she would be something like the Pakistani analog of Marion Barry's re-election in Washington, D.C? (We'll take the guy smoking crack on tape with a hooker to keep the lady of the other party out of office). Example two, closer to home: Lautenberg in his 80's, slipped into place, after the election entry deadline, because Democrats in NJ knew the corrupt Torricelli was going to lose.
What segment(s) of the population is hoping that she get's re-elected?
If she were elected is she going to be able to ensure Pakistan's nuclear arsenal or materials? Is she going to actively prevent radical Islam from overtaking Pakistan? If she won't/can't/doesn't prevent either, we (and they) are in deeper noogie than before. Is Musharraf going to hold his military post, and ensure those things himself?
I'm really keen to understand how she helps either Pakistan, or the USA.
lotion on her back.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
... worst-ever misuse of the apostrophe.
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. - Frank Zappa
puny minds"! smile
and I know, it''s quite self serving for moi!
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
They despise her, but evidently there is a large group who also happen to be the more western leaning faction who support her.
It seems to me there are three major factions. Conservatives who fear the islamists, "liberals" who fear the islamists, and the radical islamists. Musharraf leads the first group, Bhutto leads the second group, and Osama leads the last group.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
When Musharraf invited Bhutto in for power sharing, but it looks like a big no.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
I trust Pervez to do the best that can be done.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
Pervez is an ally. The reality is that one man one vote will not neccessarily lead to short term freedom and friendship in the Islamic world. If we really are fighting a war on terror, we better grow up and realize some populations are radicalized and mean us harm. If Pervez needs to do this to kick some Taliban and Al Queda butt, then I say keep it up.
Molon Labe!
we have had in the Lower 48 since 911, he can be PC in public if he needs to. He has protected this country and continues to.
Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
www.fred08.com
They just wanted to
mess up the demonstrationsprotect her from any physical harm during demonstrations planned for Friday.I'd actually like to hear Obama (and all of the other candidates) talk about this. It's a perfect "what I'd do if I were President" moment.
Marvin'08!