Thursday, December 27, 2007

Bhutto dead

Why does it seem like something tragic is always happening just before or after Christmas every year?

The murder/assassination of Benazir Bhutto today in Pakistan is tragic but hardly surprising in my mind. From the time she returned to Pakistan a few months ago she has been in danger. It started just after she landed in Pakistan when militants tried to blow up her car in a procession. An attempt that killed over 160 persons but failed to harm Bhutto.

This time they got her though. Shot through the neck and then a bomb. I guess they weren't taking any chances.

This comes at a time when the country prepares for general elections on January 8th with Bhutto having been one of the main opposition leaders trying to wrest control from current leader and some might say dictator Musharraf. Her death is sure to throw the whole country into an uproar.

Last week Bhutto spoke out on the religious schools in her country which she claimed were making killers out of children. I'm sure this probably didn't go down well with some of the radical elements in her country. Bad enough that a politician is making those statements, bad enough that the politician is seen as pro-US and pro-western but even worse that its a female politician probably.

Got to wonder why Bhutto who previously held the presidency only to be forced into exile returned to her homeland in the hopes of regaining power. She was literally marked for death from the get go so was it bravery, stupidity, idealism or hunger for power that made her put her life in jeopardy for a chance to lead a country with such a fragile stability?

Whatever it was it cost her her life. RIP.

10 comments:

Melody said...

IMO she must've been sure of de danger but she must've been just as sure of her own willingness to die for her cause. Have been inundated wid info/news on her in de past 2 days from all media, but no one hints that she might've been wooin' martyrdom.

Dee said...

I was deeply saddened to hear of this. Even though she was a controversial person I appreciated her willingness to fight to the bitter end.
I don't think her death was all people are saying it was. Now they are blaming Al Qaeda and her sunroof? Please, give me a break.
This is what happens when you fight city hall. They kill you and blame it on extremists.

Unknown said...

I saw it on the TV the same day it happened, it is indeed a sad moment. These extremists have no regard for the life of others. I agree with GC, that the are using Al Qaeda as a scapegoat!

Unknown said...

Well, Al-Qaeda did claim responsibility for killing her. And I don't think more catastrophes happen at Christmastime. It's just that they stand in sharp contrast to the merrymaking of the season, so they stand out more.

Rose said...

This was not surprising to me only that it happened so soon. The extremists wanted to end things for her and they did. I wondered why she was so willing to die for this since they were trying to kill her the moment she came out! Sadly it happened. Now how will this affect our country? What will Bush try to do now, is what I worry about?

Radmila said...

I think that there are certain countries in the world where the conflict is so great, that even being willing to be a leader is the signing up for the "mark of death".

Bravery is to know that you most probably will be assassinated, and still be willing to affect change.

Inat...(whatever the consequences)

Abeni said...

RIP....I admired her courage in returning. Not surprised she was killed though as it wa salways on the cards.

Heard her 19 yr old son is now head of party.

Deelze said...

I heard about this also on the news and I think it's quite sad really.

I want to wish you and your family a Happy New Year!

Luke Cage said...

What's up J? yeah, I suspect that Bhutto was definitely in tuned with her senses and was prepared to meet her demise because she so greatly believed in her cause man. I personally think it's the work of extremists guerillas and not some "organized" terroristic sect. Al Quaeda? I don't know brah...

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

After I read a book, 'Reading Lolita in Teheran', I got to understand a bit how warped many of the men from the east can be. It's sad.