IAP Political Forum

OK, so we all know that Benzanir Bhutto was attacked yesterday night by suicide bombers trying to stop her from reclaiming political power of Pakistan and instilling democracy.  So much has been flown around in the media.  What has shocked me is how disparate each media house's analysis of the attack .

First, from the WSJ: (subscribers only)


Then, the NYT:


 ???

Sounds sketchy.  Smells like betrayal.  What can we make of this situation?

Musharraf is changing the game.

He set up the Taliban (conservatives) in order to control Afghanistan through a proxy and used the conservatives to remain in power.

9-11 changed that.  The US came to him and stated clearly, it was an offshoot from his groups that were a major cause, the stick being the US withdrawing support (and even undermining Pakistan - it enjoyed this as a hedge against Indian hegemony in the subcontinent region), or increasing support in an effort to stop terrorism.

Musharref thought he could handle the issue himself without seeking a coalition, but the conservatives proved too strong.  So he is bringing in Bhutto and creating a left of center coalition and allowing power sharing, you may see something more like Turkey's model in the coming months or years.  He needs Bhutto and desperately.  Both, I believe have the same general view of where they should be going.

Ugh...every aspect of their intelligence and security is so riddled with islamists that Musharraf cannot explain himself out of it.


135 dead 450 hurt...on her drive from the airport....

I see trees of green........ red roses too.........

I just don't think that coming out of hiding means that you should have a parade... that's taking it a bit far.

There is no analysis. This is what a civil war coming out of the womb looks like. As pedestrian as it gets. WWIII. I said it my 3rd day on IAP. Im not special. Everyone has been looking at it for 20 years. Oh, well, heh heh, I guess one difference is that's it's like, Islamic, so it's 'supersize it' time for the media of course.

Basically, you have an hour show every night, what else are you going to do/say? All you can do is keep people "up to date" with the most pointless details as they come in, and in turn engage in the most pointless speculation. It's not information, it's actually counter to information since it has you guessing 100 directions at once...de facto dis-information. You are, ironically 'de-informing' yourself. If you didnt know anything before, now you actually know even less. THat's right. You are at negative information because now you have to forget what you've been paying attention to when you get the whole story later. Wait for it to be covered in the Economist, color-commentary style. No offense, just my opinion.

"And how will this effect the price of corn here at home, Jim?"
....
"Why I haven't the foggiest, Bob. Are we still waiting for confirmation on whether or not the bombers were Islamic?"
...
"Why yes we are Jim."


...and like that. A classic case of the patient telling the doctor that it hurts when they do 'this', and the doctor says, 'don't do that'. Your t.v. is hurting you, confusing you. If it were me I'd put boots on and kick it. Does that help?




Ahk

I agree 100% with that one.


You been listening to someone else? :)

Ahk

Nope, just stating the obvious.

yeah pretty much.

Am not an expert on Pakistani matters, however, I can tell you what I hear from pakistani acquaintances, and security analysts:

1. Both the islamists and secularists (in Pakistan) Hate Musharraf.

2. Musharraf is America's guy in Pakistan.

3. The 25 Pakistani nuclear ICBM's are located and "Under control" by the west.

4. The Pakistani Army is "Well-Fed" and "Well-nurtured" by Musharraf, and enjoy alot of benefits and prestige in Pakistan.

5. Ethnic Tensions are rising in Pakistan (Northern impoverished Tribes "Terrorist-supporters"  Vs. Southern well-off "civilised" populations).

6. Neo-Cons' aim is to divide the country and instigate chaos, resulting in 3 separate and nuclear-free pakistans that would engage in civil war for the rest of the century.

Musharraf got a book deal from us after we threatened to bomb his country, or at least that's what he said about it. He became a U.S. guy, whether he wanted to or not. Why is this woman coming out of hiding after all of these years to lead her people again? What prompted her to do that? I just don't understand why now, who's pulling her strings. It's clear that the people love her, I thought the parade was her idea, but it was actually a clear support of her by people who are eager for change.

It seriously seems like it was someone else's idea. Her picture yesterday on CNN was the most amazing photo, she looks like a woman who knows she is going to die. Except that al Qaeda isn't supposed to kill women or children... I just love what she said, "It was a warning not only to me and the PPP (People's Political Party) but to all political parties -- indeed, to the entire civil society". She is so right.  I really like what she stands for.

Your opinion is correct.  But this wasn't coming from the T.V.  This was written news...   

But alas you are right.   However, your views on the idea of the situation maybe a bit naive.  Maybe you should consider that besides the mis-information between media outlets this still needs a look into?  It has been awhile since Pakistani matters has been brought into the main media limelight.  Or is it just because they had a video of the two explosions they were able to implicate some sort of importance...I mean this is another fight for Democracy.  Just like Myanmar.  But I guess it's not that important.


Whatever...I await my next issue of the Economist.

Oh for sure! It's an area of extreme concern and should be.


Sure but again this is mostly because you can only fit so much news on a newspaper page. Nobody in the West wants to spend years reading about the political goings on in Pakistan, until something goes 'boom'. I can relate to that entirely. The trouble here has been brewing for a long time.


Oh I think it's important especially with Afghanistan on the left and India on the right. No, it's very serious I didnt mean to sound like I didnt think so, I just hate the media.


Ahk

Concurred.