BHUTTO ASSASSINATION
History In The Making

Most politically-natured columns found at XEKE.com discuss Conservatives, Conservative policy or other fundamentally Conservative-based analysis. This column, however, will deal with what may prove to be a turning point in history. I am not an avid listener to The Savage Nation. DON'T STOP READING!!! For you Savage haters, please give me a chance.

Now back to the column. Michael Savage raised the possibility that the assassination of Benazir Bhutto may be the modern day equivalent to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, which set the events into motion that led to World War I. Might the Bhutto assassination be the domino that plunges the world into World War III? (Say what you want, but the shrewd foreign policy of the Bush Administration has prevented the War on Terror from becoming World War III. If the War on Terror were really World War III, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iran, Pakistan and India would be fully involved rather than by proxy, as some of them currently are.) Only time will tell, but this has the potential to be an earth-changing event.

Might the Bhutto assassination be the domino that plunges the world into World War III?

It should be noted that Al Jazeera did nothing to sway our opinion of their journalistic integrity: Suicide attack at Bhutto rally. We would expect nothing less.

For a more accurate telling of the events of Bhutto's death, visit: Pakistan's Bhutto killed in attack

For some history of Bhutto, visit: 'A Wrong Must Be Righted': An interview with Benazir Bhutto

My goal with this particular column is to gather in one location what it is that the world is currently saying on 12/27/2007 and the days after. Additions will be made, when appropriate, in the coming days, weeks and months, much spin will be attempted. Baloney, it's all here. If World War III is ignited by these events, an accurate history will be valuable. Additionally, I want to add a bit of perspective, to provide a place in the future to be able to reflect on the events of today. Finally, I'll add what it is that I would add to the record if world leaders cared to know.

From 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.

From 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 our condolences and deepest sympathies to the victims and their families and to the people of Pakistan.

From 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.

From 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.

From George W. Bush:

Laura and I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Benazir Bhutto, to her friends, to her supporters. We send our condolences to the families of the others who were killed in today's violence. And we send our condolences to all the people of Pakistan on this tragic occasion.

The United States strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy. Those who committed this crime must be brought to justice. Mrs. Bhutto served her nation twice as Prime Minister and she knew that her return to Pakistan earlier this year put her life at risk. Yet she refused to allow assassins to dictate the course of her country.

We stand with the people of Pakistan in their struggle against the forces of terror and extremism. We urge them to honor Benazir Bhutto's memory by continuing with the democratic process for which she so bravely gave her life.

From Ron Paul (a paraphrase):

Something to the effect of "we need to stay out of Pakistan's business."

Has this moron considered the fact that Pakistan has nuclear weapons?

Even as I write, Bhutto is being "sainted" by media and major leaders all over the world. This is not entirely the truth. While I am not a scholar of Pakistani affairs, I was aware of some recent events from a distance. Bhutto was quite the opportunistic leader. While she certainly was interested in democracy, she wasn't flawless or without impure motives. It was my impression that she was using this time in history of civil unrest within Pakistan's borders, unrest caused by no less than Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups, to further her cause. I'm not sure her cause was anything more than seeking personal power, but I cannot examine her heart. My point is to assert that this leader is not an innocent martyr, despite what will be written of her in the coming days.

The common theme in all of the quotes listed above beyond "this is very tragic" is: "the men who carried out this awful tragedy must be brought to justice." Let's set one thing straight: these people don't need to be brought to justice, they need to be killed, all of them. . .annihilated, whiped off the face of the earth. . .am I clear on this? The terrorists who assassinated Bhutto forfeited their right to co-exist on this planet with the rest of us. They need to be removed from the global society. The most expedient way to do this is to unleash the full might of our military, allow them to do their job, and then bring them home.

Getting back on point, it must be pointed out that very few (none?) of our Presidentail-hopefuls have offered any real leadership or solutions. They are not serious about getting to the bottom of the problem, and if they are, they certainly aren't saying it, likely out of fear of what might be said about them in the media. I'm waiting for Mitt or Rudy or Hunter to step up and take a Conservative position on this assassination. It would go something like this:

While I am deeply saddened by the death of Benazir Bhutto, I'd like to point out that her assassination only emphasizes that fact that we live in a world with humans that operate on animal instincts. These enemies of human freedom, terrorists, crazy Muslims, all one and the same, need to be exterminated so that those of us who value life and liberty may be able to live peacefully. Join me in standing up and bringing the fight to these fascists.

rg

12/27/2007