Bhutto was leading an opposition rally to George Bush’s buddy, Pervez Musharraf. Read the New York Times story here. Read her obituary here:
She was killed on Thursday in a combined shooting and bombing attack at a rally in Rawalpindi, one of a series of open rallies she had insisted on holding since her return to Pakistan this fall, after years in self-imposed exile.
A woman of grand ambitions and a taste for complex political maneuvering, Ms. Bhutto, 54, was long the leader of the country’s largest opposition political party, founded by her father, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Even from exile, her leadership was firm, and when she returned, she proclaimed herself a tribune of democracy, leading rallies in opposition to Mr. Musharraf, like the one at which she died.
In a foreshadowing of the attack that killed her, a triumphal parade that celebrated her return to Pakistan in her home city of Karachi killed at least 134 of her supporters and wounded more than 400. Ms. Bhutto herself narrowly escaped harm.
Her political plans were also sidetracked: she had been negotiating for months with the country’s military leader, President Pervez Musharraf, over a power-sharing arrangement, only to see General Musharraf declare emergency rule instead.
Previous Comments
I knew that it would be only a matter of time before Bhutto was killed. There were over 150 deaths during the first demonstration in Pakistan after she came out of exile. This is almost like a death wish. Her life was a constant target. Now what, GW?????????
#97841 | Author: justjess | Date: Dec 27 2007
What this tragedy says to me is this: the President’s over-involvement in Iraq is not just a waste of life and resources (not just American, either). It was a major strategic error — one of the worst in American history — to take the focus off of Afghanistan and Pakistan. One other point. Remember when folks made fun of President Carter in 1980 for quoting his daughter Amy as saying the biggest global problem was nuclear proliferation? It’s not so funny anymore.
#97842 | Author: GenShermansGhost | Date: Dec 27 2007
It was a major strategic error — one of the worst in American history — to take the focus off of Afghanistan and Pakistan. Agreed. I thought that was obvious then. Now, it’s just tragic with so many lives lost in a losing war in Iraq, and Pakistan and al Qaeda no better than they were.
#97843 | Author: DonnaLadd | Date: Dec 27 2007
When I read this story my mind immediately flashed back to Jr. High history class, how WW1 was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria. This may well be another major world changing event. And Bush’s misadventure into Iraq has failed us and the world in multiple ways.
#97844 | Author: Jeff Lucas | Date: Dec 27 2007
I always admired her as a woman who was able to rise to such prominence in a Muslim nation, which is such a rarity. Ms. Bhutto will surely be missed.
#97845 | Author: golden eagle | Date: Dec 27 2007
Will peace on earth ever be a reality?
#97846 | Author: Lady Havoc | Date: Dec 27 2007
Will peace on earth ever be a reality? No. Sorry.
#97847 | Author: Jeff Lucas | Date: Dec 27 2007
When you’re an opposition leader against a violent military regime in a very volatile country, I would say there is a pretty high possibility that the next rally you attend could well be your last. She knew this threat existed and still went ahead with speeches and rallies in a hope that it would not end with her staring death in the face before she accomplished her goals, which is a brave and most noble thing to do. She put the Pakistani people before herself and there’s no doubt in my mind that she will be remembered for many decades to come. What will happen in Pakistan now remains to be seen…
#97848 | Author: Jeff Lucas | Date: Dec 27 2007
When I read this story my mind immediately flashed back to Jr. High history class, how WW1 was triggered by the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria. Better go back and try again, padwan. 🙂 There were also other factors involved in the runup to WWI, notable among them being a series of pacts and alliances which virtually doomed Europe to war once someone, anywhere, got pissed and started shooting. There’s no such relationship these cynical days.
#97849 | Author: Ironghost | Date: Dec 27 2007
Not saying it’s an exact parallel, young Skywalker. 😉 Different times, different players. I’m just reminded how in a broader sense that his assasination is widely considered the trigger that lead up to the actual war. I’m hearing there are reports of riots all over Pakistan right now. And what’s scary about this situation is the Pakistan gov’t is riddled with Al-Q supporters and Musharraf’s grip on power is tenuous at best. Even if it’s an Al-Q setup as some are suggesting, he’s probably damned if he did it and damned if he didn’t. Not unlike the fragile and volitile state of Europe at the turn of 20th century, except these folks are 10x more fanatical. It probably wouldn’t take all that much prodding to send that nation into a full scale civil war. Civil war in a country already armed with nukes…think about it. India and China must be sweating bullets right now, and keeping their fingers on their buttons. I’m praying hard that it won’t come to that, but it could.
#97850 | Author: Jeff Lucas | Date: Dec 27 2007
Whatever Benazir Bhutto’s faults or other imperfections, she was (and perhaps still is) an inspiration to hopes for a democratic Pakistan. FEW, if any, politicians are saints. But she clearly was the best hope of leading Pakistan into a more free and stable society (maybe not by economically-advanced- world standards, but perhaps by setting new and better standards). Perhaps she can be an even greater inspiration in death than in life. One can hope. RIP Benazir
#97851 | Author: Philip | Date: Dec 28 2007
When I woke up and saw this on the news the other morning, I actually cried. Benazir Bhutto knew the risk she was taking when she came out of exile. She mentioned it in several interviews. This is a horrible event…and one that will have lasting ramifications.
#97852 | Author: Lori G | Date: Dec 30 2007
