Bhutto

I don't usually get up in arms about anything outside the 2-3 meters of space that follows me wherever I go, but FUCK! Sometimes a story sticks with you, and when it reaches its tragic conclusion you want to kick God in the balls.

Benazir Bhutto, 54 year old Pakistani populist movement leader AND WOMAN, was murdered today at an election rally. I could comment on the conspiratorial nature of current Pakistani "President" Pervez Musharraf, but instead I think I will summarize with a poorly put together visual aid:

attempted assassination of political enemy (Oct.) - fails - declare martial law - suspend democracy and elections

attempted assassination of political enemy (Dec.) - SUCCESS! - repeal martial law - allow elections to continue

If you need some explanation, chew on this obtuse statement: the perp is usually the one who stands to profit the most.

Say what you will about the tenets of modern American democracy, at least a majority of the country solves its problems without violence--and with a few exceptions this holds even truer for the national political sphere. We have extremists too, and it's a benefit of conservatism that most right-wing nuts were taught early to repeat, "I may disagree with your opinions, but I will defend to the death your right to speak them." This is something that is often lacking from your left-wing nuts repertoire of cliches because s/he knows they're* right and doesn't care what you think.

Please allow me to imitate a liberal and use Bhutto's death (just for a moment) to forward my own politics. I've always wondered why people's reactions to political events (in 3rd world countries) are destructive. We never seem to do this. I think it's because we have alternative ways to vent aggression. I just set nine fire traps around a sleeping dragon and killed it. Although it was in a fantasy world, I was deceptive and used fire bombs...essentially. If I didn't have shit to do, I'd probably be out turning over cars and burning office furniture at every opportunity too. In conclusion fuck Jack Thompson.

Benazir Bhutto's assassination speaks strongly about the dictator's fear of symbolism. Whoever the fuck killed her feared her. A 54 year old woman who spoke at rallies. Come on! Whether the killer feared her political sway in an upcoming election or had the even more absurd fear of "the outspoken, independent woman," make no mistake, it was fear that drove them. It was also absurd.

Who is afraid in this NEW war on/of terror? It still seems like the same old type of war. Two sides misunderstand the other. Each side takes turns killing each other. Each fears what the other side stands for or represents.