RIP Benazir Bhutto

[diva]

I can't really ever imagine being as fearless as this woman was. She went back to Pakistan knowing, that the people who opposed her probably wouldn't rest until she was killed. She knew she was going to die.

Maybe she thought it was her destiny. That, like her father and brothers before her, she would probably die fighting to bring hope to her country. Accusations of corruption aside, this lady was pretty amazing. There aren't many people like her around.

I wish this was the type of person that young people looked up to today.

RIP Benazir Bhutto. Holy shit were you ever brave.


Here's a transcript from a recent interview


BLITZER: You're a relatively young woman. How scared are you, though, because as you know, Osama bin Laden and other terrorists, they've attacked you in the past, and they clearly would like to go after you now.

BHUTTO: Yes, of course, they would like to go against me. There's a lot of threats because under military dictatorship and an anarchy situation has developed which the terrorists and Osama have exploited. They don't want democracy. They don't want me back.

BLITZER: They don't want a woman to be the prime minister of Pakistan either.

BHUTTO: And they don't believe in women governing nations. So, they will try to plot against me, but these are risks that must be taken, I'm prepared to take them.

BLITZER: Yeah, your family has a history unfortunately, a tragic history, of assassinations.

BHUTTO: I know the past has been tragic, but I'm an optimist by nature. I put my faith in the people of Pakistan. I put my faith in God. I see that what I am doing is for a good cause, for a right cause, to save Pakistan from extremists and militants and to build regional security. I know the dangers out there, but I'm prepared to take those risks.

BLITZER: Your father was killed at a political assassination.

BHUTTO: My father was killed. It was a very terrible moment in my life. But I also learned from him that one has to stand up for the principles they believe in. And I'm standing up for the principle of democracy. I'm standing up for moderation. And I'm standing up for hope for all the people in Pakistan who today are poor and miserable and really quite desperate.

[ebbomega]

I see the fnords. This was an inside job.

[wishbone]

caught this on CNN today. :(

[b0ld]

well isn't 2008 gonna be a fantastic year.....
this world is going absolutely mad...

[esoter1c]

Welcome back fradizzle.

[Grapes]

Originally Posted by diva

BHUTTO: I put my faith in the people of Pakistan.

And, of course, her faith was misguided.

RIP

[mapleleaf4ever]

R.I.P.

Time to start digging the Bomb Shelter in my backyard.

[thebobman]

I was reading about this event at Wikipedia and this quote stood out from all of those from world leaders:

"[I am] deeply shocked and horrified to hear of the heinous assassination of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto. Mrs. Bhutto was no ordinary political leader, but one who left a deep imprint on her time and age. Her contributions to a previous moment of hope in Indo-Pak relations, and her intent to break India Pakistan relations out of the sterile patterns of the past, were exemplary. In her death, the sub-continent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and reconciliation in her country. The manner of her going is a reminder of the common dangers that our region faces from cowardly acts of terrorism and of the need to eradicate this dangerous threat. My heartfelt condolences go to her family and the people of Pakistan who have suffered a grievous blow."

What made this quote stand out even more was the source: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. India has a troubled history with Pakistan which makes this quote that much more striking. The Indian Prime Minister made the most important statement that could be made on this assassination: The assassination is damaging not just to Ms. Bhutto's political party, those who shared her political view, the government or the people of Pakistan; the assassination is damaging to the well-being of the whole region, if not the world. Ultimately this act of terrorism has no benefactor; it is everyone's loss. It is a tragedy the scope of which only a few have begun to fully understand.

[mojo]

R.i.p

[decypher]

Originally Posted by b0ld

well isn't 2008 gonna be a fantastic year.....
this world is going absolutely mad...

Pakistan has a strong history of political turmoil and a struggle for identity. So this isn't really new just highly publicized.

[Big R]

R.i.p

nothing but respect.

[lildonkey]

not only did she do her job knowing that people wanted her dead... but there was already an attempt on her life, and even that didn't deter her

what a brave woman.