stone savage

“Well, I feel as I can only answer for myself. Everybody has to make this choice for themselves. I can only say I feel saving Pakistan by saving democracy is worth putting my life on the line.” - Benazir Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan

zeitgeist: 12/27/2007; 2-weeks prior to legislative elections
ortgeist: Pakistan

I am moving across the country tomorrow. I was not planning on visiting my blog for at least a week. Plans change.

With all the stress and excitement of the last few days I was not surprised to find myself unable to sleep after being awakened at 2am. I was, however, completely shocked to watch the unfolding news story of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi, Pakistan today. However she met her end, with or without the aid of those who should have been protecting her, what matters now is how her people and the world respond to her passing.

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I have so little ability to wrap my mind around the reality that anyone would believe they gained anything real by taking her life, that I am not sure I have the proper words to even address what the world lost today. One of the first comments I heard today via MSNBC was from General Wesley Clarke, and later repeated by Senator John McCain, who asked the question “who benefits the most?” and it immediately made me think of Oliver Stone’s JFK.

Who does benefit the most? I do not have the answer to that question. I do not know who benefits from her death, but I do know the world loses.

Whatever anyone knows, believes, thinks, or feels about who she was or what she had done in her past all I care about is the hope she gave to her people. She gave the masses a voice, and whether the wealthy or the powerful liked that fact she was loved by her people in a way no other political figure in Pakistan is today. She may be loved like no other in the world is today.

I only hope her passing is met with peace and rational discourse. Her passing could indeed be the straw that broke the camel’s back in Pakistan, and I sure hope that is not the case. Even amongst extremists this death is an extreme act. It is more un-Islamic than anything I could have imagined, and only the most twisted of religious fanatical minds could think otherwise.

Is this the work of Al Qaida? For Musharaff’s sake I certainly hope that is not the case.

It is interesting how something like this can put the world into perspective. My thoughts are with the people of Pakistan today. I wish I could attend her funeral with those who shared in her life, beliefs, or actions.

As I ready myself for the long drive ahead I have to wonder about how everything can change in the blink of an eye. Let us hope we all move forward with caution.