I wasn’t shocked, but I was deeply saddened to hear this morning of yet another political assassination.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto knew her life was in extreme danger when she returned from exile to her homeland in October. Extremists tried to kill her on the very day she arrived. While she escaped injury then, about 100 supporters were killed; 500 others were hurt. Still, she stayed, trying to drag her nation, kicking and screaming, into the 21st century.
Pakistan is a nuclear nation. The tension between those fighting for modernity and democracy and those who want to cling to their fundamentalist regime is escalating. And people on both sides are dying.
Bhutto probably knew she would never live until election day. It’s such a waste. My deepest condolences to the Pakistani people who supported her. May you and your country somehow find some peace.
It’s sad that they have to go to that extreme to show that they’re against someone… so much violence and so little changes… sad, very sad…
I simply can’t understand the fear, hopelessness, and desperation required to believe that killing each other is preferable to a free and open exchange of ideas. The whole notion of terrorism is just so weird! And of course, since violence begets violence, even more people will die before this settles down. You’re right, Stinky. This is all just so stupid.