Shabbat Shalom 19 Tevet 5768

Pakistan's Bhutto Murdered
Violence and Ignorance Erupts

Yesterday a beacon of hope and moderate Islam was assassinated by those who are engulfed with hate and intolerance. Benazir Bhutto was by no means perfect and in the current media portrayal of her as a Gandhi type figure is way-off base. Regardless she was a woman who achieved the highest office in the land in a Muslim country, not once but twice. She recognized and spoke against the evils of radical Islam even though her poor judgement played a major role in bringing the Taliban into power in neighboring Afghanistan.

She believed in strong relations with the United States and Europe which stemmed from her superb education which included Harvard. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said she wanted to have relations with Israel, a radical idea within the Muslim community.

This ray of hope and voice of reason has been silenced and her death has brought about a new wave of violence within a country that is already on the verge of self-destruction. What is even more frightening is that her murder is a victory for the Islamic fundamentalists who have lost in Iraq and are making Pakistan the new front lines in the war on terror. If Pakistan eventually falls to the extremists then the world will be dealing with terrorists with nuclear weapons.

Shameful politics back home

In the United States the expected response came from the White House, which condemned the assassination and a demand for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. Most of the Presidential candidates chimed in with condolences and similar remarks as the White House. However in a rare display of ignorance, Barack Obama campaign advisor David Axelrod took the campaign trail to a new low, linking Hillary's vote to go to war in Iraq with the Bhutto murder.

Bhutto’s death will “call into issue the judgment: who’s made the right judgments,” Axelrod said. “Obviously, one of the reasons that Pakistan is in the distress that it’s in is because al-Qaeda is resurgent, has become more powerful within that country and that’s a consequence of us taking the eye off the ball and making the wrong judgment in going into Iraq. That’s a serious difference between these candidates and I’m sure that people will take that into consideration.” . . . “She was a strong supporter of the war in Iraq, which we would submit, was one of the reasons why we were diverted from Afghanistan, Pakistan and al-Qaeda, who may have been players in this event today, so that’s a judgment she’ll have to defend,” Axelrod said.

Don't get me wrong, I love watching liberals tear each other apart. The only thing that turns me on more is my wife wearing a "Forbes for President" T-Shirt. Right now the Obama camp is playing damage control with Axelrod making media appearance trying to "clarify" his comments, but if you look at the left wing blogs the damage is done.

Adding fuel to the fire is Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, a Clinton supporter, who is politicizing the tragedy in a pro-Hillary manner.

"When there are unfortunate calamities like this, the Republicans [will say], ‘See. See what we told you? We have to have someone who’s strong to defend America at a time of concern.’ Well, Senator Clinton is strong,” he said. “And she’s experienced. And she’s tough enough to defend this country and do it in a way that’s true to our values, the civil liberties we cherish, and that’s one of the reasons why I’m supporting her.”

The body of Bhutto isn't even cold yet and these no-talent ass clowns are trying to garner political points.

The GOP candidates are talking too, but are at least doing so without a foot in their mouth. Mike Huckabee held a press conference to condemn the murder, praised Bhutto and ask that the event not be politicized. He did add and rightfully so that the United States should, "have an immediate, very clear monitoring of our border, and particularly to make sure, if there's any unusual activity of Pakistanis coming into the country. We just need to be very very thorough in looking at every aspect of our own security internally." Common sense not political whoring.

Regarding the gist of Axelrod's comments, he is dead wrong when suggesting the war in Iraq had anything to do with her death. If anything the Musharraf's government unwillingness to pursue Al Qaeda along the border with Afghanistan is undoubtedly a huge factor in this tragedy. Pakistan's self imposed limitations in confronting Islamic extremism is the culprit not Iraq.

Within the past 24 hours the world has become a much more dangerous place.

Paulie