Shattered by the Status Quo I would just like to make one thing clear here. I do not "expect" the ruling class to relinquish their hold. I fully agree with Urstruly that it takes much more than a decision from supreme court to actually change the entire status quo but every institution has to play a part when it becomes due and especially when the oppurtunity arises. This time judiciary had a better oppurtunity to at least redeem itself but it has faltered again. When I talked about the status quo it was from judical aspect not from every aspect.

Musharraf’s New Ordinance Hoopla Re: # 42
I will rather agree to it. However there is one point I would like to make. In Pakistan although people do not have any real power even nominally they seldom give any concrete dissenting signals. Mind you at times even apparently "powerless" signals such as coming to streets has a potential to bring about a change.

But over all his point is very valid as the system is extremely skewed towards a privilged few. Even the so called democratic elections even if fairly held will culminate in bringing same people back in power again and again. This is mainly because individual status and connections are extremely important for electoral victory. Parties in order to be pragmatic have a tendency to field powerful candidates particularly in the rural areas. Thus in strange way status quo is largely maintained even through election process.
Some how it really does not matter whether army is in power or not. Elite citizens are always in power. Just take a close look through decades and you will find out that some families were in power during Bhutto, Zia, Benazir, Nawaz Sharif and Musharraf's respective tenors. Its not just army alone, its the entire system which has evolved in a manner that ensures that elites remain in charge. This elite brigade is in partnership with the military junta during Marshal law and operating on their own during "democratic" reigns.

Musharraf’s New Ordinance Hoopla The argument that army is a true representative of the middle class has also been put forth by several croonies of military from time to time. However even Christina Lamb in her book "Waiting for Allah" has endorsed this argument. Although i do not endorse this point of view but the problem why this argument is having some takers is becuse our current voting system is skewed towards the rich and powerful particulary in the rural area. Consequently our legislatures are full of people who are apparently voted by the people but in reality are not representing their interests. I think we need to take steps to reduce the influence of local influence in the rural politics. Mind you majority of the seats are in rural areas and there it is the influence of the candidate not the ideology or manifesto of the party which really counts.
For democracy to be really representative we need to reduce this element.

Musharraf’s New Ordinance Hoopla The argument that army is a true representative of the middle class has also been put forth by several croonies of military from time to time. However even Christina Lamb in our book Waiting for Allah has endorsed this argument. Although i do not endorse this point of view but the problem why this argument is having some takers is becuse our current voting system is skewed towards the rich and powerful particulary in the rural area. Consequently our legislatures are full of people who are apparently voted by the people but in reality are not representing their interests. I think we need to take steps to reduce the influence of local influence in the rural poliics. Mind you majority of the seats are in rural areas and there it is the ifluence of the candidate not the ideology or manifesto of the party which really counts.
For democracy to be realy representative we need to reduce this element.

The Melting Pot Re: # 78
I think it is some what in correct to compare performance of average Caucasian with post graduates of other color/race as it makes it difficult to isolate the impact of racial differences. For us to mke some judgement we have to compare people with similar education levels but different skin colors. If in a very large sample, post graduates of different skin color are performing the same than it is more accurate to say that racial differences do not matter much.

Alcohol Use and Abuse I fully comprehend what the author wrote. He tried to discuss the problem of alcoholism based on his experience in West. Lets not try to derive meanings which do not even exist. If the author wanted to insult our culture, there are more open and direct ways rather than discussing the problem of alcoholism in West. Although you may counter argue by saying that perhaps author wantd to "insult" our culture in a subtle manner.

A Sad Day for Pakistan There is one major reason which in my opinion has made this judiciary criminally negligent of their duty. In the past they never had the people and lawyers behind them. They had to make decisions with no public support and under Marshal Law. Even Zulfiqar Bhutto, certainly the most popular leader was hanged by judiciary and yet there was no public outcry at that time. Army was in full command of the situation. Judges did what was expected of them. Now the situation is different. Entire legal community was behind them, people were behind them and yet they have again repeated what they have always done.This decision is perhaps rhe worst decision in the long history of bad decisions

Alcohol Use and Abuse It is really funny how some people deliberately take controversial position by putting a negative spin to even simple statements. When the author was comparing alcohol in west and east, he was merely mentioning the difference between the way its usage is perceived in two contrasting cultures. To actually blame the poor author for “glorifying” West and putting it in the best light is somewhat unfair as this is primarily an informative article. The author is not taking a pro west position and in fact has discussed the problem of alcoholism, its effects and possible cures in the light of what he has witnessed in the West. That alone absolves him of ignoring the harmful effect of alcohol usage in the West.

Fox off! I think coverage should be judged by its actual effect. For many CJ's extensive coverage was one of the major reasons behind putting Government on the backfoot and making 20th July's verdict possible. This may not mean much to individuals who think that the entire issue is irrelevant but a lot to those who participated in that movement.

Many a times our "judgement" is based on whether we like the issue which is being covered or think that the issue is relevant to the current problems. Moreover our judgement is also based on whether media's presentation of the issue endorses our viewpoint or not. If media is presenting our version than charges of over sensationalism are less likely to take place. Though media does sensationalize but its actual extent is severly disputable.

The need for De-Bhuttofication of the Pakistan People\'s Party I fully endorse your views although I am sceptic whether actually de Bhuttofication can materialize. Mind you in India also the Nehru dynasty, though more open compared to Bhuttos, continues to rule. The problem is that our culture is personality oriented as people have a tendency to be swayed by chrismatic personalities. Once these personalities have attained a sufficent clout, cult of personality is built in order to retain the following. Party and leader become one. This is most unfortunate