Benazir Bhutto in Sacramento

#39 quarterlane

``ofcourse i agree that she deserves to be hung by her eyelashes for all that she did``

Is this a new hair-removal technique or what?

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Ref ylh #: 36

[Really give me a break... in order to have true Democracy in both Pakistan and India, you need to start with educating them.... Democracy and tyranny of the Majority are NOT the same!]

YLH, you are likely to pop an artery when you realize that the literacy rate in India is around 62%. So, we ARE educating our people.

As for the tyranny of the majority, unlike England and like the US, the Indian Constitution provides for judicial challenges to laws enacted by the Parliament. In particular, the Supreme Court of India has already held that the fundamental rights enumerated in the Indian Consitution is not subject to amendments. So, the majority cannot pass laws to deprive minorities of their constitutional rights.

[There is a saying in Sindh `You cant purify the water until you take out the dog from the well.`]

Is that why you left Pakistan and settled in New Jersey?

[Believe me if we want Democracy in Pakistan, India will be the last model, we will like to follow.]

Too bad. Even Bangladesh is willig to follow a parliamentary democracy along the Westminster model like India.

[We are not blinded by lofty ideals without any roots in reality.]

What was the demand for Pakistan rooted on? Reality? Don`t make me laugh.

[That sir is hypocrisy.. and you chaps have too much of it!]

No. We have an excess of pious sanctimony. It actually irritates other countries. Even the USA.

Are scum like BB really worth anything?Of course!only to those lefties/liberal(In US you dare not call yourself socialist/communist for obvious reasons)who saw Commie-Russia humiliated & finished off forever.It bothers them no end to see that the revival of the faithfuls of ALL religions is on the up & up...even in Russia!

Over 15%of Russia(not former soviet) is Muslim and the mosques are again brimming.A new shiny blue mosque recently completed near Kremlin.An Archbishop recently embraced Islam & still heads an important ministry.

Cosumerism and capitalism are the remaining idols to be smashed.

New Chapters are being written.Old books are obsolete.Do not be caught stuck in the past century.Be Modern!

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It is ALWAYS worthwhile to know from those who write for non-commercial(without greed and fame) reasons.



American Journalists set the record Straight

(This article was before Sept 11th)

In a break with the status quo, a number of American journalists have begun to speak about Afghanistan in an open and unbiased manner. The journalists, most of whom have made extended visits to the country, are refuting the misinformation that is regularly spread by the international media. They include Mike Hoover, a producer for the CBS television network, and Cindy Law, a freelance female reporter who recently took a month-long trip to Afghanistan. Both are working on documentary films and gave interviews to the Voice of America`s Pashto language service.

Hoover has been fascinated with Afghanistan for years and made frequent visits there during the Jihâd against the Soviets, described his dismay when the factional fighting began in Kabul after the collapse of the Communist regime. Then, when the Taliban took power and peace was restored, the Western press quickly turned against Afghanistan and the smear campaign against the Taliban started. Hoover started to find out more, but, as he said:

``I could never find anything where the Taliban tell us what their thoughts are and what they are really doing. It was just other people talking about them without them ever speaking out. After talking to a couple of people who were over there and had exactly the opposite opinion of the Taliban, it seemed to me that it might be good for CBS to go over there to see for itself, to hear from Taliban about who they are and what they are trying to do, and to observe whether their goals are implemented or are just political talk.``

The journalists says that before going to Afghanistan, he half-suspected that the reports that permeate the Western media might be true. But those suspicions were forgotten upon his arrival on Afghan soil. The first thing that he noticed and was surprised by was that there were no weapons and no armed men.

Hoover spent a month in the country, traveling from Kandahar to Kabul. He refuted the Western image of the Taliban as being ignorant. He saw them as being fully aware of both Afghan and world politics.

``When you speak to them on any subject, you realize how bright these guys are. It was surprising….you would learn that the guy you were talking to was only 26 years old when you thought you were talking to someone with the wisdom of a fifty year-old. I was very impressed.`` Hoover added.

He said that all those that he met there during his trip, whether young or old, were extremely happy about the security situation.

``People were happy that there was security, that there was no rocketing, that there was safety, that you didn`t have any worries about crime as you did before.``

When asked about the Taliban`s harshness, he said, ``On certain things, the Taliban are very strict…..I think it is fair. If you commit a crime, you will be punished for it. The punishment is, in my view, fair and swift.``

Hoover was surprised by the fact that there is no formality, no red tape in Afghanistan-any one can see the ministers to hand in his petition or idea, and it will be acted upon swiftly. He said that the ministers that he saw didn`t even look like ministers. They were dressed in the same way as the average person, and some even wore old clothes and well-worn shoes.

One thing that Hoover saw everywhere and was bothered by was the poverty and hardship, which has been compounded by UN sanctions. He deplored the twisted logic of the sanctions, saying:

``They destroyed their own country fighting the Soviets. They fought bravely. And now, instead of helping them or at least leaving them alone to rebuild, the world is imposing sanctions on them.``

Hoover said that he hopes that other journalists and officials travel to Afghanistan with open minds to see the reality and analyze the situation themselves. People must not let themselves be deceived by biased second-hand information, he stated. If the truth was revealed, he said, then he is certain that the sanctions will be dropped and that, instead of confrontation with the Taliban, the world would help them. Hoover`s comments are echoed by Law, who said that she had heard all sorts of things about Afghanistan, especially about the Taliban`s treatment of women, so she decided go to the country to see for herself. Law spent more than a week in Kandahar and three weeks in Kabul, speaking to women from all walks of life, including female doctors and nurses. She said that while they had many concerns, the burqa (veil) was not one of them.

``Their major concerns, I would have to say, were the sanctions and war. All Afghans pleaded for the United States and the United Nations to end the sanctions and help rebuild their country. They also asked for medical, food, and financial aid.``

Afghan women told Law that their first need, after economic assistance, is education for their children. In regards to female education, Law said that she saw some school for girls in homes, especially in Kandahar, and girls studying in mosques.

``Taliban officials assured Law that once the war is over, they would turn their attention to the many issues facing the nation, including women`s education and employment. She said that she saw work already beginning on some girl`s schools in Kandahar.``

Scoffing at the misconception held by many that Afghan women are prisoners in their homes, Law stated,

``There are many women working in the hospitals and health care, and they comprise most of the women that I talked to. And I saw women walking around in the markets.``

Law said that the world must realize that Afghanistan has been devastated by two decades of war, and that its infrastructure has been destroyed. She added that the international concern about the plight of Afghan women is to be appreciated, but,

``I think the best way to help the women of Afghanistan is to encourage the removal of sanctions. They are hurting the Afghan people, especially the women. And more humanitarian aid should be provided- medical, economic, etc.``

Other American media outlets are also challenging the propaganda campaign that is being waged against the Islâmic Emirate. The San Jose (California) Mercury, a daily newspaper, published comments made by a female Muslim student leader, Sara Azad, who said:

``The fact is, women in Afghanistan are now protected and their rights are guaranteed. Because no right comes before the right to life, and today they have that right.``

Azad added that she receives letters from her grandmother in Afghanistan, who writes that Afghan women have never felt safer than they do now.

Re: YLH #35

``...since the Supreme Court, as the supreme judicial body and the law of the land, derives its legitimacy from the constitution....``

Wrong! The Supreme Court now derives its legitimacy from the Provisional Constitution Order (#2?). If you recall, all Supreme Court judges were forced to swear allegiance to the PCO. Those who refused (including the Chief Justice, I think) were politely shown the door. All govt. activities in Pakistan (including judicial) are carried out in the name of the PCO -- all new appointees have to swear allegiance to the PCO, not to the `suspended` constitution.

Every visit to chowk bears a witness to dull and staid debates going. I think chowk has lived out its age. Either there should be some new blood or it should be closed for sometime. People have grinded one thing so many times that now it all seems f *&

Pray, what kind of a bird is a jiyala?

Studebaker # 48

What a sad, moving story that was....Such a reminder that if there is one thing we seek in another, it is loyalty...The rest matters as much as the morning dew...It glistens for while and then disappears under the warmth of the sun...

Blessed were these two, and may they find peace together...

From DAWN via PAKISTAN PUNCH


BENAZIR`S `ARTEFACTS`

In an unimpressive show, the National Accountability Bureau on Sep.3, put on display a total of 11 artefacts reportedly belonging to former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and her spouse Asif Ali Zardari. The items shown to the press for about 10 minutes even included a portrait of Benazir Bhutto herself along with her daughter.
No documentary evidence was, however, shown to establish that these artefacts belonged to the former first couple or brought from London or had anything to do with corruption or any other wrongdoing. The mediamen raised a number of questions about the authenticity of the items put on display but a whole lot of NAB civil and uniformed officials present on the occasion refused to disclose anything except a brief general statement by an assistant director of federal investigation agency. At least no one at the show was impressed that so much talked about and widely publicized corruption case involved a couple of friezes, a tea set and a portrait of Benazir Bhutto which could not be called an antique.

(DAWN)

Ras:

Your reaction is so predictable. You and ROmair are the 2 faces of the same coin. Jialas like you see in BB a reincarnation of their love for ZAB forgetting her dismal performance while in power. ROmair`s thinking about BB and the PPP represents probably 99% of the army officers(serving as well retired) refusing to forget the slights they suffered at the hands of ZAB. In the meantime, the country slips slowly but surely into an abyss.

later

-sac

nasah

re: 11

Nicely done. Among some of B`s unwise moves, it seems that B. Bhutto`s husband was a political and personal liability. I was among those who had serious expectations of her. One recurring theme began to emerge; her husband`s abusive and corrupt behavior. I also began to wonder how any politician could attempt to reform certain aspects of policy and law in a game where the religious factions in an effort to destabilize B`s regime, constantly threw out (and continue to) wild cards. Very difficult, esp. when these combatative spheres tended to really ``genderize`` B`s regime.

In another vein, I am curious about whether any self defined Islamic state can live with a woman in a leadership role. All evidence points to the contrary.

Also, Urstruly, you seem to have a bone to pick re: liberalism. I`d like to hear some legitimate reasons for your position on liberalism.

regards

regards

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(Reply #: 30 Ras Siddiqui)

``It was not my intent to scare anyone via this writing so please, before anyone busts a blood vessel please think of General Zia and calm down.``

It needs a child to understand that Gen Zia was dangerous for the ppl of Pakistan. It needs a mature and above-avg IQ person to understand that BB is dangerous to the paki ppl.

Pakis living in USA can kiss the ass of ppl like Gulbadin Hikatyar if he is respected by idiot Americans. And once they did!!!!

`the Pakistanis who are neither inside the dustbin nor lying squashed underneath it...these are some of the bravest, finest people on this planet - the human rights activists, the health service providers, the volunteer school organizers, the expatriate professionals, and even one general who seems to have a brain.`

Hear Hear!

American Terror Alert:

6 Israelis with Nuke Pics Sought

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Updated on 2001-10-31 11:41:30







SAN FRANCISCO (PNS) October 31, 2001 - Justice Department has issued a new alert in response sources claiming `major terror incident` to take place within days.

Knight Rider news service is reporting Federal Beauru of Investigations is seeking six Israeli citizens who were stopped by Highway Patrol Police but despite having suspicious items described as `photographs of Nuclear sites and Alaska Oil pipeline` and `box cutters` similar to the ones used by hijackers of Sept 11 terrorist attack on Pentagon

and WTC.

State Department is reportedly `furious` at INS for allowing all six Israeli citizens go without notification and approval from the FBI.

In response to this new terror threat, security has been beefed up at Nuclear facilities.

The End.

tvarad `yet India has 40 billion in the bank` vooooohoooooooo... Wowwwwwwwwwwwww.... so India has atleast half of what Bill Gates has after a decade of `unparalleled` progress? Wowwwwwwwwww! Well done... 1 billion people equal to half of Bill Gates...

No one is denying Pakistan`s failings especially in the last decade when its Economy has been mismanaged, but when Indians of all people get up to tell us how their country is sooooooooooooo much better off, I cant help but laugh. So yes Pakistan has only close to a 3 Billion in reserves and this is a recent phenomenon, especially keeping in mind all the unrest.. I agree... but people in Pakistan dont die of hunger on the streets like they do in the `first world` country with 40 billions ... whole 40 Billions in reserves.

It is pathetic that a country of 1 billion people is so obsessed with a much smaller country with a population 1/9th of its own, that even its progress is relative to Pakistan...

`Oh so what if we dont have half as much as Microsoft, atleast we have so much more than Pakistan`

I say there is something `Fundamentally` wrong with a country of 1 billion people, 1/5th of the world`s population, when it has only a `paltry` 40 billion in reserves .... when the representatives of 1/5th of humanity cant win more than a single Bronze medal at the Olympics, when their total share in world trade is too insignificant to be counted.

My advice to Pakistan obsessed scounderels on Chowk... forget Pakistan, leave us to our fate, think of yourself... think of your India, ... think of your own problems.... we definitely need no lectures from a nation whose only claim to progress is a misplaced superiority complex over a currently bogged-down nation like Pakistan, which ironically still has a higher GDP/capita than India...

-YLH

PS By the way, an estimate of reserves held by Pakistanis overseas: 80 Billion.

Do you do this on purpose Urstruly? I mean I know that you are a liberal Moderate yourself, but why put this front?

What are you trying to prove?