An attack on a political rally killed the Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto near the capital, Islamabad, Thursday. Witnesses said Ms. Bhutto was fired upon at close range before the blast, and an official from her party said Ms. Bhutto was further injured by the explosion, which was apparently caused by a suicide attacker.
Ms. Bhutto was declared dead by doctors at a hospital in Rawalpindi at 6:16 p.m. after the doctors had tried to resuscitate her for thirty-five minutes. She had shrapnel injuries, the doctors said. At least a dozen more people were killed in the attack.
“At 6:16 p.m. she expired,” said Wasif Ali Khan, a member of Ms. Bhutto’s party who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital where she was taken after the attack, according to The Associated Press.Hundreds of supporters had gathered at the political rally, which was being held at Liaqut Bagh, a park that is a common venue for political rallies and speeches, in Rawalpindi, the garrison city adjacent to the capital…
CNN reported that witnesses at the scene described the assassin as opening fire on Ms. Bhutto and her entourage, hitting her at least once in the neck and once in the chest, before blowing himself up…
Discussion on Middle Eastern politics – as always – is open-ended, here.
What has American network television been presenting? While cable and satellite news was streaming images from Pakistan, file footage and commentary – NBC and ABC were focused on zoo safety and CBS was concentrating on the “final push” in Iowa.
These clowns are as responsive as a constipated manatee. I pity that segment of America that still relies on broadcast television for information.
The mainstream media HAS been covering this story this morning, ABC,CBS,NBC. At about 8:30 am New York time NBC cut away back to the studio for another story, cut back to Ann Curry who was LAUGHING !!!Can you believe that? They’re reporting that Bhutto was murdered and there’s Ann Curry LAUGHING AND SMILING.
… and whatever you do, don’t mention the two guys dressed like bums standing on the grassy knoll, talking into their sleeves.
THe situation in that entire region is totally FUBAR. That one of our major “allies” in our campaign to promote freedom in the region is a tinpot dictatorship (that lets opposition political members get assassinated on its streets) continuously boggles my mind.
The level of doublethink Bush supporters must have to go through to support the choice of enemies and friends in the region amaze me.
3,
Are you sure it boggles the mind? This is what I expect these days…
JG – I’m willing to bet you’re looking at NYC locals – not the national feed.
I just checked the Big 3 at 10:30 AM EST, and NBC and ABC were leading with their zoo stories and CBS was leading with the girl who survived the plane crash in Panama.
I don’t doubt they’ll catch up. But, having to catch up – is why they suck.
*********
Then, I might have something to say about governments – from Israel to Syria, Moscow to Washington – that deliberately include assassination as part of their political trick bag.
Watch Pres. Musharrif use this as an excuse to abandon the election, declare martial law and crack down on all dissidents. Secretly, I think the neo-cons here will welcome this.
A civil war in a country with nukes is a very very bad thing.
No, I was watching the national feeds on the three networks this morning when it first started to be reported. They appeared to still be working on getting the details. So they’ve been going to other stories that they have more accurate details about. It’s been about 2 hours, what are the big three showing NOW?
What about the cable channels? Foxnews, msnbc and CNN?
Extremists in a civil war, in a nation with nuclear weapons, already in an undeclared war with it’s nuclear equipped neighbor. Happy 2008
There died the hope of a better Pakistan.
#6 – ArianeB
Fully agree with you.
A few years back (5-6 years), we tried to bring Bhutto into Toronto, Canada to do a presentation at a women leadership in business event. Canada wouldn’t let her across the border (three hours before she was going on stage) because she was somehow black listed from the country. So she was stuck in New York.
We also had some very horrible phone voicemails from the local population and some people showing up to protest.
I talked to a couple of people protesting who called her a terrorist. And of course were very mad at us for bringing her into the country.
Unfortunately, I do not know the political history or aspects of her previous presidency (I will start reading about it). But I thought it interesting that she was black listed and considered a terrorist from many local Pakistanis. Interesting that she was allowed into the USA (again, not sure of the conditions as to why she was no longer in Pakistani until recently).
I hope that the people of Pakistan get the leadership they want and deserve. I just hope that the news also provides information what made her so controversial spanning many years (not just recently).
Sorry if I sound ignorant, I’m working on it.
Not only will the press fail to adress this story, they will completely miss the fact that US Special Forces are going to Pakistan next year.
A few years back (5-6 years), we tried to bring Bhutto into Toronto, Canada to do a presentation at a women leadership in business event. Canada wouldn’t let her across the border (three hours before she was going on stage) because she was somehow black listed from the country. So she was stuck in New York.
We also had some very horrible phone voicemails from the local population and some people showing up to protest.
I talked to a couple of people protesting who called her a terrorist. And of course were very mad at us for bringing her into the country. At face value, these were not crazy people, they had genuine concerns and deserved to let it be known.
Unfortunately, I do not know the political history or aspects of her previous presidency (I will start reading about it). But I thought it interesting that she was black listed and considered a terrorist from many local Pakistanis. Interesting that she was allowed into the USA (again, not sure of the conditions as to why she was no longer in Pakistani until recently).
She obviously must have known she would likely die from assasination before the election (like her father) and must know what would affect it would have when that happens.
I just hope that the news also provides information what made her so controversial spanning many years (not just recently).
I hope that the people of Pakistan get the leadership they want and deserve.
Sorry if I sound ignorant, I’m working on it.
Best part of this is the State Department’s press release stating that Musharraf couldn’t prevent the suicide. Way to protect “your guy” while showing him to be weak in the process.
Personally, I hope that global warming changes the winds in that area to blow the fallout over Iran. That’s about the best that can come of this.
I thought our primary elections were tough!
Whatever her politics, she was one brave individual.
#15 Amen. Her choice to not travel in an APC after the last, horrific truck bombing was heroic, as it probably saved many of her supporters lives today.
So quit crying about it already. We know that the big networks are only a source of propaganda and christian programming. That post reminds me of an Atheist chat room where they sit around bitching about how wrong the religious people are.
Maybe instead of stating the obvious you can try to come up with something more dignified than “responsive as a constipated manatee.” Damn that was lame.
Profoundly, saddening news. Like her father, murdered while trying to wrestle her country from a puppet potentate.
I wonder if the Republicans will do the same with Hillary?
I view this with great concern, and I am sure that President Mushareff will conduct a thorough investigation of any wrongdoing or involvement of his cronies… err… advisers, just like I have done in the past within my administration.
I can categorically state that this in no way will lead to an Iran style revolution, resulting in a radical Islamic nuclear armed country. The Pakistani people love the USA for the unqualified support that we are providing the democratically elected, freedom loving administration of Generalissimo… err.. Mr Mushareff.
I have also assigned and independent counsel (ex Attorney General Alberto Gonzales) the task of reviewing the constitutionality of suspending elections in the USA should a major political figure be killed, (or the wrong person elected) since we must preserve the safety of the people of the USA above anything.
#20. Actually, I am not sure if you’ve been following foreign news reporting on the subject, but it would appear that there is not even the slightest sign of US or even Pakistan government involvement. It’s still early days, but at this time they seem to pretty-much know who was behind it.
A tragedy, but I can’t help but think if the allegations of corruption against her and her loss of life Thursday had something to do with her being a woman in a high position of power in an Islamic country. I know, I know, Christians can be just as misogynistic…but you don’t see anyone claiming corruption against Nancy Pelosi or Condoleeza Rice. Incompetence, maybe, but not corruption.
Well once again I am convinced yet again the same thing I have always felt in my heart about this part of the world. They have been fighting there since the beginning of time and I am now convinced again that they will be fighting till the end of time. Its sad really that these people have become so afraid of life and there only escape is suicide and to take as many others with them as possible. Certainly don’t want to arrive in purgatory alone. Now do you? Sad just plain sad!
Nancy Pelosi, I claim that you are corrupt, on your own witness.
“Impeachment is off the table.”
And yet, this is your constitutional duty as the legislature, to impeach felons and scoundrels. Abdicating that duty is the very act of violating your oath to the constitution, and given the gravity of such an action, I accuse you of either puerile incompetence, or corruption. And it has nothing to do with your sex, as I accuse Harry Reid of the same.
Bhutto was the US’s choice for Prime Minister and she was extreamly popular among the poor. She is dead because she wanted her supporter’s to see her. Her closest friend and advisor said if she hadn’t stopped the car and got out to wave at the people all around her she wouldn’t have been killed. But, since this was the second serious attempt since October, she was marked for death anyway. Something she was quite aware of, her father, considered by most Pakistani’s as a hero and great man was hanged by the military after a coup. Her brother’s were both assisinated over the last few years, she was the last of the Bhutto’s…..a kind of first family of the nation. Very similar to the Ghandi’s/Nehru clan in India.
Sharif, the other exiled leader will be next, and contrary to what most will think, not by Musharrif, but the fundie’s. They need instability and chaos to take control. This bad new’s for Musharif, they had a bit of an agreement, he would be President for 1 more term and she and her party would take Parliment and start implimenting program’s for the people. Now Musharif is on his own and suspect.
We support this country because it has Nuke’s and the mean’s to deliver them. This is no game, we can’t let the nut jobs take Pakistan. Not only would we be in danger, but so would India and any non-Muslim nation in the area.
lol Im laughing too
If she was rolling in a basically unarmed convoy, it means she felt safe enough to do so.
Someone obviously stabbed her in the back. I can’t feel too much compassion considering all the money her and her hubby stole from the country (what else would you expect from a polititian) I do feel bad about the dozen or so innocent bystanders that died. Thats the true tragedy. The rest is just the typical political games.
I’ll give you one guess as to who is behind the assassination. My guess is Musharif (sp?). Of course, having a PM that might have been more conciliatory to liberals in her country (this said without knowledge of her prior political activities) would just piss off the Bushites too. So, they could have supported her assassination too. Horrible but unfortunately true that I could suspect my own government of such a horrible deed. But who could think that out of line for a government that supports torture?
Listen to what Ron Paul has to say.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNb6uSjelfA