A Great Day for Pakistan!

"where in history has and oppresive segment of society voluntarily relinquished its hold on power without first committing mass murder, torture, exile, and incarceration."

That is why the judiciary probably would not have given the decision it did on July 20, 2007 if the people had not come out onto the roads and waiting for hours simply to show support for the act of defiance. It is an initial step. And attempts to do a 'deal' with the dictator stand on flimsier and flimsier grounds. The intense scrutiny from the media will ruin anyone who attempts to follow through on it.

"it will nominate the new Martial law Administrator (probably with an Islamic bend this time); that will give them another ten years and then whole tamasha of "real democracy' will start all over again."

I think you underestimate the relevance of July 20, 2007 and the preceding movement. I may overestimate it but after yet another verdict such as today's there is cause for hope. A lesson was learned.

However, the 'tamasha' of real democracy may begin sooner than we think. Unfortunately BB and NS may end up clawing at each other again allowing the establishment/military to play them around from behind the doors as it is wont to do.

Your optimism feels refresshing but we have to look at the precedent set by history. No where in history has and oppresive segment of society voluntarily relinquished its hold on power without first committing mass murder, torture, exile, and incarceration. Currently, all of it is underway, but the retribution of the massess is not at that scale, which has only encouraged this corrupt ruling elite. I think the board of directors aka corps commanders are giving Musharaf some slack only until October to tie back the split ends or else it will nominate the new Martial law Administrator (probably with an Islamic bend this time); that will give them another ten years and then whole tamasha of "real democracy' will start all over again.

Urstruly:

Yes, Machiavelli's point must sound enticing to Musharaf. Musharaf has probably made a mistake allowing the media to operate - though he had little choice.

The legal dream team's spokespersons - Aitezaz Ahsan, Hamid Khan and Munir A Malik (and of course Ali Ahmed Kurd the Great), are stringent about Musharaf even allowed to be a mere President. This court won't leave Musharaf any room to function. Whether he deals with BB or NS or the MMA! The government asked for a 3 week period to produce Sharif's 10 year exile deal, so it could squeeze in Musharaf as the President and the courts bitch slapped them!

So you are right, Musharaf has to start killing people. Seems unlikely as he's not got the power Machiavelli's Prince wielded. And even if he kills a judge or two, it will be an invitation for a larger rebellion.

And we have several things going for us now. The independent court and the media. See how rare PPP's vocal leadership now appears on TV and how it is embarrassed by questions about the deal. As a hint to BB, Aitezaz Ahsan declared on a show that whichever leader comes back to Pakistan first will lead the tidal wave ready to roll over Musharaf. BB is in a real bind.

And the media's played this critical role of exposing these people.

I don't know if it is time to start looking at the re-organizing of districts and seeking a different leadership to emerge. That step is down the road and it will come. Sure it would be great to see the Supreme Court's verdict followed by this revolutionary upsurge of the middle class. But the relatively 'smaller' change, of independent institutions getting established, will give the demographic realities - of a feudal-religious-military elitist MINORITY and an excluded MAJORITY - a greater chance to show themselves in a representative system.

Referring to choking the SC again. If the SC can stand up to the vile dictator pointing a gun at them, then it seems relatively easier to stand up to the rest of the pack.

The bliss may be brief. But this system, the current system with it's independent institutions can work miracles (for us they are miracles).

what?! rozaiba's ilog and not mention of "sunni fuks"?

are you alright rozaiba?

Ref your point on dictator's head; that is what Michiavilli advised the people who decide to rise up against the "Prince". His advice was to go all the way without any compromises or else the consequences of your half-assed attempts would be dire when Prince regains the power.

But ideologically what Bezamir has done was absoluetly expected. No matter how much they appear "anti-" each other the memebrs of ruling elite, be it foujis, ns, bb, sarkari moulvis and other charlatan rif raf have their vested interests in maintaining the status quo of mutual cooperation. Their political and financial survival depends on maintaining this culture of corruption and being vassal of foreign powers. It is just a matter of time that they will put a choke hold on SC again. What do you think, will happen if only one of the sc judge is assassinated. Do you think that people who have no mercy for even school children will not go that far??