Bhutto holds Musharraf "responsible for her death" in an October email...
(click pic to make larger) It's way too early to say who assassinated Bhutto even though some reports are coming in, but her email is very interesting. Mark Seigel--- a longtime friend and US spokesman, received this email and joined Blitzer to discuss it...
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And as AmericaBlog says:
In terms of policy implications, this is reflective of a massive US foreign policy blunder, in that the Bush administration, in a monumentally stupid move, shoved Bhutto down the throat of Musharraf (and the rest of Pakistan) as a savior, despite her lack of broad popular support and general reputation as corrupt. In making someone who didn't necessarily have the ability to deliver the savior for democracy in Pakistan, we simultaneously set up our own policy to fail and offered Musharraf a return to (or continued) total power in the event that our little power-sharing arrangement didn't work. We also -- though not only us -- painted a big fat target on her back. Really a debacle all the way around.
Christy has Bush's response with no questions taken...
Juan Cole has more...
The Presidential candidates react to her death...
John Edwards:
"Benazir Bhutto was a brave and historic leader for Pakistan. Her assassination is a sad and solemn event, and our hearts go out to her family and to the Pakistani people. But we will not let this contemptible, cowardly act delay the march of progress in Pakistan for a single second.
"I have seen firsthand in Pakistan, and in meetings with Prime Minister Bhutto and President Musharraf, the instability of the country and the complexity of the challenges they face. At this critical moment, America must convey both strength and principle. We should do everything in our power to help bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice and to ensure that Bhutto's movement toward democracy continues."
Chris Dodd:
"Today's news from Pakistan is both shocking and saddening. As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, I have had the opportunity to travel to Pakistan and come to know Former Prime Minister Bhutto very well over the years. I spoke to her personally several weeks ago and have stayed in close contact with her since. She was a respected leader who played an important part in moving Pakistan toward democracy.
"As we recognize the loss of a leader today, we must also recognize the implication of today's tragedy to the security of the region and to that of the United States.
"At this critical time we must do everything in our power to help Pakistan continue the path toward democracy and full elections. Our first priority must be to ensure stability in this critical nuclear state.
"The United States should also stand ready to provide assistance in investigating this heinous act. And as Pakistan perpetrators to justice, it should also demonstrate that it will not allow such violence to derail democracy and proceed with elections in a timely manner."
Mike Huckabee:
"I am deeply troubled by the news accounts this morning of Pakistani opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's assassination in a suicide attack. This is devastating news for the people of Pakistan, and my prayers go out to them as we follow developments regarding this dire situation.
"The terrible violence surrounding Pakistan's upcoming election stands in stark contrast to the peaceful transition of power that we embrace in our country through our Constitution. On this sad day, we are reminded that while our democracy has flaws, it stands as a shining beacon of hope for nations and people around the world who seek peace and opportunity through self-government."
Joe Biden:
"This is a terrible day. My heart goes out to Benazir Bhutto's family, friends and followers.
"Like her father before her, Benazir Bhutto worked her whole life – and gave her life – to help Pakistan become a democratic, secular and modern Muslim country. She was a woman of extraordinary courage who returned to Pakistan in the face of death threats and even after an assassination attempt the day of her return, she did not flinch. It was a privilege to know her these many years and to call her a friend.
"I am convinced Ms. Bhutto would have won free and fair elections next week. The fact that she was by far Pakistan's most popular leader underscores the fact that there is a vast, moderate majority in Pakistan that must have a clear voice in the system. Her assassination makes it all the more urgent that Pakistan return to a democratic path.
"This fall, I twice urged President Musharraf to provide better security for Ms. Bhutto and other political leaders – I wrote him before her return and after the first assassination attempt in October. The failure to protect Ms. Bhutto raises a lot of hard questions for the government and security services that must be answered.
"I know that Benazir's followers will be tempted to lash out in anger and violence. I urge them to remain calm – and not play into the hands of the forces of destruction. I urge Pakistan's leaders to open a fully accountable and transparent investigation. We must find out who was behind this and bring those responsible to justice. And the United States should offer any assistance necessary, including investigative teams, to get to the bottom of this horror.
"The way to honor Benazir Bhutto is to uphold the values for which she gave her life: democracy, moderation and social justice. I join with the Pakistani people in mourning the loss of a dear friend."
Bill Richardson:
"Benazir Bhutto was a courageous woman. Her death, and the deaths of so many of her supporters, is more than just a tragedy. It is a testament to the will of the Pakistani people to see democracy restored. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died today.
"Ms. Bhutto knew the dangers to her safety. But she would not be intimidated. We also must not be intimidated.
A leader has died, but democracy must live. The United States government cannot stand by and allow Pakistan's return to democracy to be derailed or delayed by violence.
We must use our diplomatic leverage and force the enemies of democracy to yield: President Bush should press Musharraf to step aside, and a broad-based coalition government, consisting of all the democratic parties, should be formed immediately. Until this happens, we should suspend military aid to the Pakistani government. Free and fair elections must also be held as soon as possible.
It is in the interests of the US that there be a democratic Pakistan that relentlessly hunts down terrorists. Musharraf has failed, and his attempts to cling to power are destabilizing his country. He must go."
Hillary Clinton:
"I am profoundly saddened and outraged by the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, a leader of tremendous political and personal courage. I came to know Mrs. Bhutto over many years, during her tenures as Prime Minister and during her years in exile. Mrs. Bhutto's concern for her country, and her family, propelled her to risk her life on behalf of the Pakistani people. She returned to Pakistan to fight for democracy despite threats and previous attempts on her life and now she has made the ultimate sacrifice. Her death is a tragedy for her country and a terrible reminder of the work that remains to bring peace, stability, and hope to regions of the globe too often paralyzed by fear, hatred, and violence.
"Let us pray that her legacy will be a brighter, more hopeful future for the people she loved and the country she served. My family and I extend my condolences and deepest sympathies to the victims and their families and to the people of Pakistan."
John McCain:
"I was deeply saddened today to learn about the death of Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. My deepest condolences go out to the family and supporters of this remarkable woman, an individual who paid the ultimate price for her embrace of moderation and rejection of extremism.
"The death of Benazir Bhutto underscores yet again the grave dangers we face in the world today and particularly in countries like Pakistan, where the forces of moderation are arrayed in a fierce battle against those who embrace violent Islamic extremism.
"Given Pakistan's strategic location, the international terrorist groups that operate from its soil, and its nuclear arsenal, the future of that country has deep implications for the security of the United States and its allies. America must stand on the right side of this ongoing struggle.
"In my numerous visits to Pakistan - to Islamabad, to Peshawar, even to the tribal areas of Waziristan - I have seen first hand the many challenges that face the political leadership there, challenges so graphically portrayed by today's tragedy. There are, in Pakistan, brave individuals who seek to lead their country away from extremism and instability and into the light of a better day. America, I believe, must do all we can to support them."
Mitt Romney:
"We are still learning the details of today's tragic events in Pakistan, but this is a stark reminder that America must not only stay on high alert, but remain actively engaged across the globe. Pakistan has long been a key part in the war against extremism and radical jihadists. For those who think Iraq is the sole front in the War on Terror, one must look no further than what has happened today. America must show its commitment to stand with all moderate forces across the Islamic world and together face the defining challenge of our generation – the struggle against violent, radical jihadists.
"At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers go to the family of Benazir Bhutto, and to all the people of Pakistan who are fighting against extremist forces that would commit such heinous acts as the whole world has witnessed today."
Barack Obama:
"I am shocked and saddened by the death of Benazir Bhutto in this terrorist atrocity. She was a respected and resilient advocate for the democratic aspirations of the Pakistani people. We join with them in mourning her loss, and stand with them in their quest for democracy and against the terrorists who threaten the common security of the world," said United States Senator Barack Obama.
Rudy Giuliani:
"The assassination of Benazir Bhutto is a tragic event for Pakistan and for democracy in Pakistan. Her murderers must be brought to justice and Pakistan must continue the path back to democracy and the rule of law. Her death is a reminder that terrorism anywhere — whether in New York, London, Tel Aviv or Rawalpindi — is an enemy of freedom. We must redouble our efforts to win the Terrorists' War on Us."
I believe Musharraf is responsible, he has everything to gain from her death.
Revolutionaries always die young. RIP Benazir
sigh...
He is not the only one...
beltman713 @ 1:
well, he's got a bowl full of very loose shit in his hands right now. The US has to keep their noses out of his stuff, especially right now.
The man who killed her blew himself up it was Islamic extremists that killed her, but it was Musharraf's lax security that opened the door.
The enormity of Bu$hCo™'s failure in foreign policy is beyond measure. Pakistan's last great hope for stability is gone. The BBC stated it succinctly:
"The risks of Pakistan imploding have once again increased.
It is a further setback for the US "war on terror", which has as part of its strategy in the region the restoration of democracy in Pakistan to offer an alternative path, away from militancy and extremism.
The strategy is very much at risk."
Why is it that everyone that gets mixed up with Bush, ends up like this good woman? They need to all stay out of the bed with this ass hole.
We're paralyzed from Abdul Qadeer Khan's nuclear prowess
Nothing in Matthew Lees' article even remotely suggested that Musharraf was involved. How was this leap of logic made?
Her lust for power extinguished her common sense. That, or she must have considered the slaughter that attended her homecoming as some type of fluke. I'd venture to say most people would have considered that incident a pretty clear cut warning shot across their bow.
Nick B @ 5:
The report I read said she was shot, after the suicide bomber blew himself up. Even so, it doesn't disqualify Musharraf just because someone blew himsekf up.
Kenny, you think he had no idea it would happen?
On November 2, 2007, during an interview by Sir David Frost, Benazir Bhutto stated that Osama bin Laden had been assassinated by Omar Sheikh. Now, Omar Sheikh was sentenced to death in July 2002 for the kidnapping and murder of Daniel Pearl. If this is indeed true, it puts a lie to all the bin Laden videos with which we were regaled over the past five years - all of which have been declared to be fakes by a great many people. Imagine that Benazir Bhutto had not been assassinated and would have been elected Prime Minister, if she had accurate knowledge about Omar Sheikh and had access to incontrovertible evidence, this would have put the Bush administration in a very embarrassing corner - so one could conceivably add this to the motives for Benazir Bhutto's assassination.
See Benazir make this claim about six minutes and ten or so seconds into the video, at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIO8B6fpFSQ
Kenny @ 9:
I'll have to wait until QT or get my PC up and running. But perhaps as responsible as Henry II was for Becket's assassination.
Suggestion:
We're short on fact (not opinions) of what happened.
But, of course, the facts (as filtered through the Warrenstan Commission), will demonstrate...
Al CIAda has taken public claim, if you believe some news sources. CNN is more likely to have that email from their master in the WH, since the WH was, at least publicly, displeased with Mushy.
This could have been the taliban doing mushy a favor, especially since they both have boosh over a barrel between the taliban and al CIAda both dominating muslim west asia.
This should be added to the above article:
Dennis Kucinich:
“This is a very dangerous moment for the world. “Benazir Bhutto represented a courageous effort to bring principles of liberty to Pakistan. She was truly dedicated to the people of Pakistan. The United States must change its policy direction in the region. It must stop adding fuel to the fire.”
See: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/29584
Wolf says, in one breath "a vital US ally in the war on terror and also the possible hiding place of OBLadin"
That sums up the war on terror perfectly.
Kenny @ 9:
No, but Bhutto's email sure does. When I heard the news this morning that was my first thought...Musharaf did it. A massive U.S. foreign policy blunder. Thank you. Now can we put impeachment back on the table and serve a double portion to Dick and George???
When Benazir Bhutto was interviewed on the David Frost show, Frost Over the World, she stated very matter of factly that Osama bin Laden had been killed by Sheik ( sombody or other). (You Tube). Frost did not question her about this statement.
If this is true, then these Presidential candidates who have said they knew her must have known this, too. And yet we get the tapes and dialogue that pretend to be from bin Laden whenever this administration needs to divert our attention from something else.
Has anyone else seen this You Tube interview?
BB was challenging the order established by the U.S.
Either she was killed by some random assassin (e.g., LHO).
Or she was killed by persons in power.
I think the latter.
reid and pelosi are NOT worth quoting, AFAIAC.
Jo @ 20:
Yes - see http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/12/27/bhutto-holds-musharraf-responsi...
In an interview on BBC Ms. Bhutto said she first talked to the White House and decided to come home. Once she saw what was really going on she changed her course and said she knew she that her days were numbered. Yes Pervez Musharraf the White House puppet along with the paid killers by the Bush Administration killed Ms. Bhutto. Now Bush is sending US soldiers to protect the Nukes he gave Pakistan. The Nukes were given so the US had a direct target point to bomb Iran and Syria for Isreal. The World Leaders better watch their backs because the real Axis of Evil is the United States. We saw Republican assassinate John F. Kennedy and blame it on Castro. Now as with Ms. Bhutto the US will blame Al Qaeda. Evil is spread through out the US Government and the candidates who follow the same policy. God hasn't been with the United States for 7 years because Satan is in charge. Ms. Bhutto's first mistake was talking to the Bush Administration as we've seen once they have used you they will kill you. Israel wants control of Middle Eastern land and the Bush Administration wants control of the Middle Eastern oil.
For all those real American Christian who have prayed to God for help, it will only come when the White House like Satan is brought down. Rev. Huck wants to stay the course of stealing and killing while robbing the US blind. No worries about Grampa Fred he still thinks Nixon is President. McCain needs anger management classes and Mitt has the Romney Curse. Rudy will make history if he gets to be President as we will have a male/female as President. One day he's a man, in the evening his a woman.
Vierotchka @ 13:
Thank you. I saw this and asked about this downstream a bit. You make a very fine point. Motive, indeed.
VietVet8666 @ 21:
Who is BB?
CoIntelPro @ 16:
The Taliban is a myth same as Al Qaeda
CoIntelPro @ 26:
Benazir Bhutto, and.... Brigitte Bardot.
Cheney has been running the US Govt Pakistan file since June and is Musharrefs No. 1 sugardaddy.
http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/18/cheney-pakistan.
Cheney likes to use the shock, terror, and capitalize tool. Works every time.
Jackie @ 24:
yes, she was handed to mushy on a platter by booshco.
Vierotchka @ 28:
Thanks. It became obvious to me just after clicking on 'submit'. :)
Who stands to gain from her death? That is a simple question that will lead to the killer... but obviously we have a good idea who that might be.
ConcernedCanuck @ 27:
please elaborate on the 'myth' of the taliban. genuinely curious here.
A dog that sniffs the ground will get from January 1 to December 31 without noticing much, just what he or she smells.
Humans behave much the same way. We accept (in terms of reality) what is served up to us. Then on blogs such as this, we chatter about it.
As humans, we're pretty much failures.
you can hold bush/cheney also very responsible for this assassination. they have once again made the United States look like total fucking assholes. the sooner bush/cheney retire, the sooner we can start the long painful healing process of the United States with the rest of the World.
IMPEACH BUSH AND CHENEY.......
VietVet8666 @ 34:
So enlighten us already.
Gail Sheehy:
"I am what the terrorists most fear," Benazir Bhutto told me in a two-hour, face-to-face interview in late November at her home outside Karachi, Pakistan.
She was also the figure President Pervez Musharraf most feared as a rival, as expressed to me by the beleaguered leader's close confidant, Humayun Gauhar: "If the Americans can have a government led by Bhutto, they will get what Musharraf has refused them. She will allow NATO boots on the ground in our tribal areas and a chance to neuter our nuclear weapons," said Gauhar. This is exactly why the American government was eager to see Bhutto gain or share power with the Musharraf's highly unpopular regime.
THINK I have been pondering this all day. It makes No sense to Me that Musharraf is behind this. He woud Know he would be blamed. With all His power He could have kept Her a bay.The last thing He would want is His country in More chaos. It doesn't add up.
Jo at 36
At this point, I can't.
But thanks.
Her killers would KNOW He would be blamed.
beltman713 @ 11:
My money is on the Pakistani version of the CIA, the ISI, which essentially pulls Musharraf's strings (they're the one's primarily responsible for putting him in power in the first place AND for removing Bhutto from her second term). In fact, the ISI has a strangle hold on the country and has close ties to the Al Queda and related extremist groups (hell they funded Al Queda/Taliban throughout the 80s and 90s). There is ABSOLUTELY a connection between the ISI, Bhutto's lack of security, and all the assassination events aimed at Bhutto.
And just to not look like I'm wearing a tin-foil hat, the power/influence/history of the ISI is documented exquisitely in the book Ghost Wars by Steve Coll.
David Hawes @ 38:
Blame Al Keeeda. World goes "ah, yes, that's who it is"....one less election opponent.
Bush is a known liar. Pretty much everything he says about anything of consequence proves to be lies. So, when he says, "In the U.S., a tense looking President Bush strongly condemned the attack "by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy."" We can only assume this too is a lie. Can there possibly be any doubt that Bush and Musharef are responsible? Bush is Daddy Warbucks to Musharef and I'm sure Gen. Mush could not, would not, do something like this without clearing it first....
VietVet8666 @ 15:
Geez, Louise! Is that magic bullet from Dallas still wandering the planet killing democratic leaders? Stop it before it kills again!!!
Jo @ 20:
If true, that explains why Bush can't find Bin Laden - he's already dead.
Therefore, if true, this country was taken for a royal ride into war, based on a pack of lies. It also means that Bin Laden had pre-recorded all those videos the Bush administration whips out to scare the shyt out of the American people, who then readily hand over their civil liberties in the name of National Security.
Bhutto was a dangerous threat to the establishment and she called out Mussharraf last month, in public, on TV. In other words, she had to GO.
The truth about Bush and his so-called "allies" keeps trying to be revealed. Maybe, though tragically, this may be the one thing Shrubya overreached on, and may come back to bite him in the ass - and there would be no way Pelosi and Reid could continue to justify not starting Impeachment hearings without being run out of their own offices on a rail in 2008.
Interesting that this is the country that is supposed to be helping the U. S. bring democracy to Iraq! What a disaster this administration is.
David Hawes @ 38:
Maybe the good general simply does not give a damn who blames him. Keep her at bay? Thats pretty much where shes at now I'd say. And as far as his power goes, no one left to challenge him, so he should win by default. She done got suicided....
Sad and not surprising in any way. She may or may not have been posthumously correct about her own death, but there's certainly a case if nothing else.
Regardless, though, it seems pretty obvious that in approximately 10 years (who knows, maybe much sooner?) Musharaf is going to become Public Enemy #1 of the US. Why (other than the obvious)? We're supporting him, and he's a militaristic leader only interested in the US as an ally of convienence.
After all, we supported Saddam Hussein against Iran... and look where that got us. And we supported Osama Bin Laden against Russia... and look where that got us. There are other examples and a few different options as to who's next, but Musharaf sure seems most likely as the next in line at this point.
David Hawes @ 38:
Not exactly. With her there he was forced to either throw away the true democratic elections (and lose a lot of face of legitimacy in his own country) or be voted out of office. Much of Pakistan was fed up with Musharraf's ties to the extremists and wanted him out. Either way her presence there was sucking at his power like a leech (not to mention thinking about Bhutto's greater influence in the international stage)
We are short on the facts.
What happened?
Did one guy shoot her in the neck as she stood up (what a coincidence she stood up just opposite the shooter)?
And then another persons wrapped with explosives blow him or herself up?
Many suppositions. What are the facts?
Facts, by the way, lead to solid conclusions.
VietVet8666 @ 34:
what do you mean, WE, white man?
i fail to see why everyone is so "shocked". she was doomed as soon as she set foot off the plane when she returned to pakistan.
In the Frost interview- she credits the assassin of bin Laden as Omar Sheikh
احمد عمر سعید شی
The same man who is credited with the DPearle killing-who has been custody since February 12, 2002
meaning bin Laden has been dead at least as long-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Omar_Saeed_Sheikh
Being that the other opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif, was attacked at the same time but not Musharraf, my money is that Musharraf may have allowed the attacks to happen since it took out one of his rivals.
People pretty much believe what they want to believe.
David Hawes @ 38:
if you are to remain a friend of the boosh WH, you will have to also be a dealer of death. It makes perfect sense that booshco would use her to serve notice to mushy of the WH displeasure (or a pretense at displeasure). then as an offering, the WH turns a blind eye to martial law and the assassination attempts.
beltman713 @ 1:
Me too.
w gave him billions and he wants more.
He will declare martial law again and has eliminated the competion for the election.
He is a military dictator.
TimV @ 49:
All good points in answer to My question-BUT Some of those points would make sense IF there wasn't nuclear power arch enemy India right next door. Despots and dictators tend to want to keep things tidy-More chaos is the last Thing He would want.
The Political Junkie @ 45:
One point I was trying to make, poorly, is that the Presidential candidates also must have known bin Laden was dead if they had talked to her. And if that is true, why didn't anyone speak up when one of those phoney tapes was played?
No
It was a sole assassin.
A lone nut.
You think otherwise? You are a conspiracy nut.
Such a shame, I am so sorry for this loss, but we could see this coming a mile away. From the moment she came out of exile she was marked for death. What a loss, life is so precious........ It is time for peace, please do something now!
VietVet8666 @ 55:
Look! Don't lose heart. If you ARE a viet vet, then you know that you were supposed be fighting for a reason worth fighting for. Modern history notwithstanding, I will find some way to make a better future. For me. For my Family.
There's no choice; no doubt; no debate.
You can't tell me you gave up. You don't sound like it and I won't believe it.
CoIntelPro @ 51:
Cointelpro,
You're OK.
With all the hullaballo about Benazir Bhutto being shot 3 times and then blown up by a suicide assassin/bomber, what is lost is that today ANOTHER former Pakistani Prime Minister was supposed to die also.
Not to worry, I am sure Pakistani secret service ISI and his goons will rectify the mistake. The snipers missed... this time.
Story here:
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-12/27/content_7324893.htm
Jo @ 59:
what makes her statement true, much less believable?
VietVet8666 @ 63:
so are you, so chin-up!
Well the Bush administration is known for its absolute idiocy in all foreign affairs matters. Their foreign policies have always been based on some kind of fantasy that if they only have to want something and it will happen. For people who really believe they are very smart, they are some of the biggest idiots ever to have run this country.
And those baby neocons they have peppered throughout the government are just as stupid.
Martyrdom...
Pak Sindhi history will soon show that Bhutto was born of a virgin during the winter solstice as a decedent of the House Of Zulfikar and a new cult will be born...
Now the shit is on!
Good job 'W'.
you could see this coming. she was whacked by the same types who tried to take out musharraf, only he had better protection. the islamists don't want u.s. puppets/theives running their country.
CointelPro,
In the army, my MOS was 8666 (counterintellingce officer).
And yes, FWIW, I spent a year in Viet Nam.
Vierotchka @ 28:
I thought it was Barry Bonds.
Any of you eagle eyed viewer able to ID the make of that pistol shown in the video?
I'm looking at cip and vv earnestly.
I noticed that of the presidential candidate statements, every Democrat spoke about how tragic this assassination was for her family and expressed appreciation for her and sorrow at her death. Not one Republican except John McCain made a statement that expressed sorrow for the tragedy or her family. They instead all talked about what it "meant for America".
The difference was stark to me. What's wrong with these Republicans? They have no heart.
One thing is obvious. She wasn't a coward. Like most politicians these days.
Musharraf cleared this assassination with Bush first.
Then his minnions did it.
Wherever the USA goes, death quickly follows.
Even the BBC here in the UK have started to describe the US war on terror "so called war on terror".
Fuck off until you get a Democrat back in the white house.
americangoy @ 64:
only real death makes headlines. our media was able to put a significant death into the headlines. for the voyeurs that they are, that was sufficient for today.
CoIntelPro @ 65:
Well, let me expain it this way -- Every time a new bin Laden tape surfaces, I have been very skeptical that it was the same guy. The facial features are wrong. And, the parts of the dialogue that have to do with the present, are voice over bits.
On one hand I have a government who has lied this country into a war, killing and wounding thousands of us and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. Among other things.
On the other hand I have a person who wants to bring back democracy to Pakistan and is courageous enough to return to her country where she knows she will be a target of assassins.
I am inclined to believe her. I see no reason why she would lie about this, nor why Sir David Frost, if he knew different, would not call her on this.
No. 13, Ms. Bhutto was a threat to Bush Admin. and their agendaf to control the U.S. populace by fear factor and therefore got rid of her via Musharaf.
Musharaf is a puppet of the Bush Admin. You folks have to be concerned for the 2008 continuum of Bush dynasty.
@post 76 by Cointelpro
I think it is significant that there were 2 assassinations in Pakistan, of 2 former Prime Ministers.
Then again I am just an idiot so what do I know...
Later in Pakistan there will be elections, say, mid 2008:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pick one candidate that you will vote for:
( ) Glorious president Musharraf
( ) Benazir Bhutto (dead)
( ) Nawaz Sharif (unfortunately not yet dead, to be rectified ASAP)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Re: the media only cares about death. I am sure American Media would totally ignore a sniper attack on say, hmm lets pick one, Hillary Clinton?
That would be a TOTAL non story in the USA no?
Everything BushCo touches turns to shit. Every world leader who saddles up to the Toxic Texan either looses their next election, is forced to resign or gets whacked.
VietVet8666 @ 70:
I don't know how long you've been coming here, but welcome from me, FWIW.
Russ Mason UK @ 75:
The US was a British colony. We learned from the best.
She holds him responsible, because he didn't provide her with adequate security.
ruthless people at 81, a serious question for you.
Can you name the last war the USA won all on its own?
framecop @ 82:
No surprise there.
In October 1999, General Pervez Musharraf, Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistani army launched a coup to topple Nawaz Sharif, then Prime Minister of Pakistan. He then proceeded to name himself President.
CoIntelPro
Stop working this site. I was here first. Go pull some monkey business some place else.
Nick B @ 5:
OH really, Islamic extremists are the only ones that commit suicide? Have you ever heard of kamikaze pilots? Maybe someone else put the bomb on the guy and made him shoot Bhutto and then blew up the bomb? You know what ASUME means?
Jo @ 77:
and
americangoy @ 78:
both of you about nailed it, IMHO.
I only question ALL those in the power circles because nothing is said without an agenda. I say she's more believable because of the timing and poor quality of the OBL tapes. but her history as a 2nd generation dictator still makes her a bit suspect either for the facts or the motivations.
I have the greatest respect for her having the willingness to actually deal with booshco in order to give her country a 'chance at democracy'. She must have known the risks well in advance. It must have taken the greatest courage to return and even to stay after the first assassination attempt.
The Provokateur @ 85:
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
CoIntelPro @ 87:
Praise from the gods! ; )
That's total bull that she could be considered any more corrupt than Musharraf.
RW @ 32:
It's so obvious, when one answers your question.
foolme1ns @ 67:
You think idiocy? I think anything but idiocy. They know what they're doing. We are the idiots for giving him/them a get-out-of-jail-free card for 7 years.
Benazir Bhutto clearly states that Omar Sheikh murdered Osama Bin Laden on an interview with David Frost, BBC - Nov 2, 2007.
2 minute mp3 audio clip
(should launch your media player - you won't leave this site)
source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIO8B6fpFSQ
(youtube)
Russ Mason UK @ 83:
The point is not to win them . . its to keep them going as long as possible $
Avid Reader @ 92:
This was stated back at #20, only without the link, thanks for the link. The question that was never answered was if, as this article says, several of the presidential candidates knew her, why didn't they say bin Laden was dead each time a new tape of him emerged? Hillary says she got to know Bhutto over the years. Surely she must have heard this, also.
Then again, it takes courage to tell it like you see it. I don't give Hillary high marks in courage.
Jo @ 94:
Hillarymart works for the global rich man's club. I don't have anything against her personally but it is impossible to believe that she will be the agent of change that we so desperately need right now.
avid reader - I know. USA = War and Death and plenty of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
I've seen the video you posted re David Frost and Bhutto, remember Bhutto is on friendly territory there on Al Jazeera. What I don't understand is how David Frost could let Benazir make such an outrageous statement - "Sheikh Omar killed Usama" and not have a follow up question.
I guess we'll never know.
And who is Sheikh Omar anyway?
Jo @ 89:
There! I fixed it. :)
Russ Mason UK @ 96:
Follow-up questions must have gone out of style a few years ago. Watch Peter Jennings completely ignore the word explosion in this youtube video.
Musharref has been getting A BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FOR FIVE YEARS from the Bushies... for "anti-terror" measures.
You would think a few bucks would go to PROTECT his number-one rival leading up to national elections. Of course, it was reported last week in the local Austin paper that the money was "badly spent" and that there were never even substantive discussions between the US and Pakistan regarding how to use all that cash.
I'll bet it was shipped in pneumatically sealed shipping crates... in new HUNDRED DOLLAR BILLS... A LOT OF THEM.
I'll also bet that the pistol that killed Bhutto today... and the bomb that went off after... were paid for by that money.
The Political Junkie @ 45:
How could he have pre-recorded videos before July 2002 which refer to events that occured after that date, as the phony bin Laden videos invariably did?
Russ Mason UK @ 96:
Not Sheikh Omar. Omar Sheikh.
Russ Mason UK @ 96:
Guy who was accused of murdering Daniel Pearl who was investigating the Pakistani Secret Service I believe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahmed_Omar_Saeed_Sheikh
Maybe it was a slip but why in the heck didn't Frost stop and correct this - most wanted man on the planet????
Ooops, let me do this again.
The Political Junkie @ 45:
How could he have pre-recorded videos before July 2002 which refer to events that occured after that date, as the phony bin Laden videos invariably did?
Note to all politicians: u shldn't talk like this in ur email becuz it cld ruin ur image.
(It's terrible that she was assassinated, but seriously...)
What? CNN broke away from the "Shocking New Developments in the Tiger Rampage" to cover this? I guess the cable news networks follow the "if it bleeds, it leads" guideline, and this tragedy bleeds more than the tiger attack.
Vierotchka @ 100:
They weren't pre-recorded IMHO. Go back and look at them. All events that are in the present are voice-overs. There is no video. No action. Only some man's voice proporting to be bin Laden's. They are phoney.
Media Concepts @ 105:
If only Britney would have struck the tiger with her auto . . . now there's a story!
Jo @ 106:
Here's another short mp3 audio clip from ABC Good Morning America when the male news model asks Pakistani Teen Agers about Osama Bin Forgotten - Dec 3 2007.
Avid Reader @ 108:
Sorry, here's the clip
Sheikh Omar? Omar Sheikh?
Is he the the number 2 in Al Qaeda?
The one who's been killed 36 times?
Is he the one you waterboarded?
Is he the one Billo had an exclusive interview with?
I'm getting confused!
Hey ho...it's late here in the UK (early).
Guess I'll have to go to bed and wake up tomorrow and look forward to another Bush assassination.
Guh.
I was happy that Clinton used the word "outraged" to describe her murder. Frankly, we need to be outraged that a woman of her calibre was murdered and be conscious of what that assassination represents, both literally and symbolically.
I don't want to hear Republican talking-points about this being 'the reason why' the United States needs to remain in a state of paranoia and fear, embracing initiatives to begin or continue military combat operations in sovereign nations who had no intention of doing harm to the U.S. or its allies.
I don't want to hear Democratic talking points about how Musharraf is 'an important ally' in the war on terror, mostly because he has access to nuclear weapons. The man is a stone-cold tyrant in the same way Putin is, and those within Pakistan are reacting to him accordingly by voicing their contempt for him and his rule.
Holy shit! Isn't it obvious? The ISI assassinated her! Can it be that Musharraf, who is trying to establish a dictatorship based on "national security" interests, has something to gain from this event? Not to mention, his primary opposition is now either dead or jailed.
All this talk about the "ramifications" for the U.S. is complete horse-shit. The issue isn't, "how is the U.S. going to deal with this" it's how are "we, the American people are going to react to this." We're not fighting a war on terror. Our government is waging a war on us! Watching Musharraf systematically enslave the people of Pakistan is like looking into a crystal ball. The same will happen to us very soon. It doesn't require a huge leap of the imagination to foresee Bush or the next president delaying elections here under the very same pretence.
Russ Mason UK @ 110:
No, the number 2 guy has already maxed out on allowable fake media deaths.
Randi Rhodes is even doubting the existence of Osama Bin Laden
short mp3 audio clip from Randi Rhodes Show On Air America Radio Wednesday, December 12, 2007
And while I agree that the U.S. has done more harm than good in the Middle East (yet again), I disagree that Bhutto was a corrupt and unpopular individual. People were sceptical of her because of the current administration rallying behind her, which does her the same favour U.S. support does Israel. In short, the U.S. and its President are so unpopular overseas that the endorsement of Bush or any of his cronies does far, far more harm than good for the person they are trying to promote. So, yes, she had a huge target painted on her back thanks to the bungled efforts of Americans, but let's not be too quick to dismiss what she fought for, nor her potential. For Chrissakes, she just got killed!
I had to dig for this one . . . . Sandy Berger making a Freudian slip during congressional testimony . . . . very short clip with a little music
Apparently Bhutto was Rice's girl in Pakistan.
Of course, Musharraf is Darth Cheney's Boy.
Thus the interesting possibility here that what we're seeing is another Carlyle Group power struggle: Poppy's New World Order faction vs. Cheneyburton. With some light Saudi overtones on the side, of course.
Remember, chaos is the plan.
beltman713 @ 1:
So do the NEOCONS who thrist for perpetual wars. RIP Bhutto!
kelley b. @ 116:
Chaos is profitable . . .
In Benazir Bhutto's interview with David Frost on November 2, 2007, she stated at 6min 12sec into the interview that Omar Sheikh murdered Osama Bin Laden. Omar Sheikh also has been said to have murdered Daniel Pearl.
Interview at: http://www.truthring.org/
Wake Up Idiot American Media and actually do your Damn Job!!!!!
Avid Reader @ 116:
Screw Itunes!!!
Bush, who holds hands with kings and sells war planes to military dictators, says he honors Bhutto's "continuing with the democratic process". To be as harsh as I can be, I'm reminded of Malcolm X's comment on the JFK assassination, about the chickens coming home to roost.
As for the candidates' responses, kudos to Vierotchka for the Kucinich addition. I think he and Biden had the best statements. And Mitt just continues to show that he's never gonna be prime time...
These Cheney types better hope the people don't take on their tactics of killing anyone in their way.
I am simply amazed at how Fox news came on this evening with the banner headline " America On Guard". The story went on to say that a few more police officers were hanging around the Pakistani Embassy in New York. That's the warped American way Fox keeps driving that terror card into the American psyche so shrub and Darth Vader can keep the war machine going which is about the only thing keeping the U.S. economy from going over a cliff. A few more cops at an embassy and America is on guard? Who dreams this crap up?
lafin gas @ 121:
its a mp3 file . . . your computer decides which player to use . . . . I have iTunes but like to listen to mp3 files on Real Player
Ron Paul Tells Fox News That The U.S. Should Halt Aid To Pakistan Following Bhutto Assassination (December 27 2007)
short mp3 audio clip
This is great.
Now I'll bet everything I have in the bank that President Retard will tie this up to the war in Iraq and attack Pakistan.
RIP Bhutto.
This story gets pretty thick when you look further into it...I've posted a video showing her saying Bin Laden was DEAD back in November. Interesting, huh?
http://jeremiasx.wordpress.com/2007/12/27/six-degrees-of-bin-laden/
Odd that while candidates were "saddened", Hillary was the only one to use the word "outraged".
I may have missed something someone else said but I don't think Bush ever said he was outraged about 9/11.
Just tough talk with zero results and huge profits for Halliburton.
Avid Reader @ 93:
I see someone else noticed this connection as well. :)
The Political Junkie @ 45:
Imagine if she'd won and started saying in press conferences that Osama Bin Laden was murdered. This entire thing stinks to high heaven to me. I'm not buying the immediate story. I dont think that Musharaff would be stupid enough to take her out. Furthermore, if what Beltman713 at #11 says is true: that the she was shot AFTER the suicide bomber blew himself up, then this has more to the story than we are hearing.
The US sent special ops troops to Pakistan a few days ago. Why? What did they know? Cheney and Addington and Abrams were the ones who engineered Bhutto's return to Pakistan because she would let in NATO, which Musharaff didn't want, and she would let the US dictate the use of the nukes, which Musharaff refused. Bush was not a happy camper after Musharaff's visit. LOOK AT THE MAP. The Israelis still want to bomb Iran. They've been over here for teh past two weeks trying to convince the US to continue going after Iran militarily. Whoever controls those Paki nukes controls the rear flank against Iran. Dont forget that Putin wiped out Azerbaijan as a staging area for bombing Iran making the US sitting ducks, and got a promise from all the other countries bordering the Caspian Sea (last May) not to give air support to the US. The only other place to protect the aircraft carriers in the Straits of Hormuz, AND get a leg up on Russia's promised help to Iran if attacked, is western Pakistan. Musharaff told Bush he didn't want to play ball with his effort to bomb Iran.
So was Bhutto expendable because she wasn't moving fast enough? Another way to turn Pakistan into disarray so that the US could get control of the nukes? The neocons still want that Iran play. So does Israel. And Israel plays dirty when it doesn't get what it wants.
But did they expect Bhutto to open her mouth about Bin Laden? That comment to David Frost should hvae rung out around the world. And it didn't. Who controlled that fact? If she got into office, would she say it again? Do you know how many people would be affected by that revelation? Maybe she just had to go no matter what her temporary value.
RIP Bhutto
I'd like to know if President Bush will cut his vacation short.
Avid Reader @ 93:
I think she misspoke, and intended to say "Daniel Pearl" or some other innocent person who KSM is reported to have killed. You can tell from the context of the point she was making: that she had complained to Musharraf about insiders in his security services who had dealings with bad guys. Saying KSM killed OBL wouldn't help her point, since, if that had happened, most people who are opposed to the terrorists would consider KSM a good guy, not a bad guy.
So, sorry, I don't think there's any conspiracy to be had here.
Hey Media,
You might be right, but it's hard to confuse Daniel Pearl with OBL.
Wes is best @ 133:
Oops, did I say KSM (Khalid Sheikh Mohammed) when I should have written SO/OS (Sheikh Omar/Omar Sheikh)? See, it is easy to get names confused (although I agree that the names I confused were closer sounding than the ones BB apparently confused). Gee, I hope no one starts conspriracy theories against me now.
This site is called The Omar Sheik Files and has some REALLY interesting links. Overseas reports contemporaneous with Pearl's death claim that Sheik couldn't have killed Pearl.
http://www.btinternet.com/~nlpWESSEX/Documents/WATomarsheikhgate.htm
note:
The ISI has been reported on many occasions overseas to be the CIA's alter-ego black-job agency.
Media Concepts @ 134:
Maybe she meant OJ Simpson?
Jo @ 102:
Al-Jazeera (English TV Station version) is owned by an Israeli now.
She knew what she was saying. She was extremely clever. It may have been her signal that she couldn't be entirely controlled by her handlers (Office of the VP). Or she was saying it to the Muslims who back Osama who would then hate Musharaff if Omar Sheik was known to be part of the ISI.
This is all speculation as are the rest of my comments; but it does indicate to we that we only know what we're told.
Our attempts at democracy lead many to premature deaths. Was she supposed to be the Paki equivalent of Hilary? Hell we hardly have any women here in politics and I bet women do not get as equal of treatment in that US funded hell hole. She seemed destined to fail by those that empowered her.
Dont worry, Bush said those that are responsible need to face justice. Does that mean we can invade Cuba now?
hareli @ 138:
This reminds me of when I was an intern at CNN over 20 years ago. I was there when the Soviets shot down the KAL jetliner. Apparently, the head of the John Birch Society (Larry McDonald?) was on the plane and was killed along with everyone else. The JBS folks immediatly claimed that the shootdown was done just to assassinate McDonald. The program I worked on had one such JBS spokesman as a guest. When the host asked the man what evidence he had to support his theory, he began, "First, the Russians don't do anything that isn't planned." Unfortunately, he had no evidence and his logic broke down pretty quickly.
I think this goes to show that, no matter what one's ideological viewpoint, it is important to limit oneself to the best facts and evidence available when promugating theories about why an event occurred. Otherwise, once one starts out with a sweeping generalization, it's very easy to proceed down the slippery conspiracy theory slope. It's also important to remember that clever people, stupid people, good people and evil people and even those krafty kommie Russians all make mistakes. Here, to imply that, because Bhutto "was extremely clever," she could not ever have misspoken, is, I'm afraid, to make the same logical leap that the John Birch spokesman made on CNN.
Bhutto did not strike me as the type to use "u" instead of "you".
What I found interesting was the fact the White House, Bush, chose to say that "extremists" have assassinated her, instead of just accusing Al-Qaeda and be done with it like they often do.
Here's a juicy one for the conspiracy theorists: what was Senator Arlen Specter, the author of the "magic bullet" theory regarding JFK's assassination, doing in Pakistan on the very day Bhutto was assassinated? I'll leave this one to others.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/27/pakistan.visitors.ap/index.html?e...
Sure , Musharraf puts her under house arrest twice and locked down the government and he's not not involved with her death. He has protected her to death is what happened here with up coming elections showing a colossal landslide against him. Its very simple to have a hired gunman to kill her and then blast the gunman with a grenade launcher and say it was a suicide bomber. Don't forget what happened to Aquino in the Philipines the minute he stepped off the plane, perpetrated by the sitting government that was then ousted by Aquino's wife. This regime and our own is responsible for everthing that is taking place since they've been installed and it is readily obvious by anyone who has been paying attention.
"Georgie, you smell like gasoline. That wasn't you that set fire to the constituition was it Georgie?" No mommy it was them dammed libruls and the Clintons who done it mommy, honest I'm too stupid to do something like that on my mommy and you know it.
Media Concepts @ 140:
Point well taken, Media Concepts. I understand fully what you mean; however, the remark was so, well, 'remarkable' that someone in the press should have followed up on it; even the ME press. Bin Laden is the boogie-man-de-decade. She said it to David Frost, not some Brighton UK Whatever newspaper flunkie. It would have been a simple matter to ask her if she misspoke. I would have asked her What proof do you have?
I can understand some lesser figure than Bin Laden. But to trip over this would be tantamount to saying, in Chicago, a year after the 1929 St. Valentine's Day massacre while Ness was still trying to nab him that so-and-so murdered Capone. It should raise an eyebrow.
Bin Laden's death was reported in the foreign press although we've never seen it mentioned here. It's embargoed.
Here is a Guardian article about Sheik/Sheikh:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/pakistan/Story/0,2763,755772,00.html
But this one is really fascinating:
Jihadis R Us by David Rothberg
http://www.antigonishreview.com/bi-140/140-article-david-rothberg.html
Media Concepts @ 143:
I was asking myself the same thing? And why did we send troops earlier in the week?
http://yaleglobal.yale.edu/display.article?id=10010
Bhutto must have known that she had a giant target on her back.
I'm suprised that she would have exposed herself to certain danger speaking in public. She was either brave or reckless,i;m not sure which it is but regardless of that,this is a tragedy that was almost inevitable upon her return home.
hareli @ 145:
I agree. What's the point of having an interviewer present if he cannot think to ask a clarifying follow-up in a case as glaring as this? Unfortunately, this is something the so-called journalists do all too often in the U.S. as well.
Vierotchka @ 17:
I appreciate that you have noticed the exclusion of Congressman Dennis Kucinich.
How many of the others listed above even made and expressed in public "condolenses" for the recent death of Congressman's brother? It's a shame that none of them shared such sentiment to their fellow AMERICAN (Dennis Kucinich).
Are these the kind of characteristic of a "viable", "electable" presidential candidate that we are to choose from?
Furthermore, how could C&L missed including Kucinich in this list? Is this intentional or just a mistake?
OPEN your eyes AMERICA, pay close attention.
Bhutto was fighting to restore the Pakistanis national constitution
much like Dennis Kucinich is doing tirelessly for AMERICA.
Yet the establishment has a mission to silent him and assasinate his character; in an effort to sobotage his presidential campaign and his efforts to hold those accountable for the unrest that we are witnessing today.
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