BENAZIR BHUTTO was hailed by many in the Western media as Pakistan’s last hope for democracy and a crusader against the military dictatorship of Pervez Musharraf. Her assassination, consequently, has been talked about as a blow to Pakistan’s hopes for democracy and stability.
The media, predictably enough, was following the U.S. government’s lead. Soon after Bhutto’s death, George Bush denounced the “murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan’s democracy” and called on Pakistanis to continue “the democratic process for which she so bravely gave her life.”
Some Pakistani liberals have joined in. Writing for the Huffington Post, Hussain Haqqani, a Boston University professor and former advisor to Bhutto, referred to her as “the outstanding icon of Pakistan’s struggle for democracy” and “the Pakistani establishment’s nemesis.”
But even a brief look at her life and legacy yields a different story.
Read the rest of this article at Socialist Worker Online
10 responses so far ↓
Renegade Eye // January 10, 2008 at 12:51 am
Everything you say about her is true. Still the PPP is the party, based on her father’s reputation, and socialist program, who the poor look to for leadership.
My comrades are running for the parliment, representing the Marxist wing of the PPP.
See this.
MasalaChai // January 15, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Good sir, do you mind if I ask if you are Indian or not? Because that would illuminate a great deal about your blog.
leftyprof // January 15, 2008 at 1:45 pm
MasalaChai,
What a strange question. What do you think? And what difference does it make? What would it “illuminate” about my blog?
MasalaChai // January 15, 2008 at 4:15 pm
judging by your leftist rhetoric and familiarity with the communist traditions in India, I would guess you are Indian, first generation, possibly Southern and educated during those unfortunate years of Congress-led market restrictions, worshipping at the altar of the state.
Having read more of your posts since I posted the first comment, I feel more comfortable in assuming that you are Indian. If you aren’t, I would have to question the legitimacy of some of your posts, and probably deduce that you are racist based on some of your generalizations. And yes, I think that a black, white or Indian person can say things about their own race that others cannot.
leftyprof // January 15, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Blah blah, MasalaChai. It would be more interesting if you had something of substance to say about my arguments and analyses, rather than speculate about my ethnicity or nationality (let alone my “race,” whatever that might be in this context!), which is hardly a big mystery to anyone who cares to read this blog anyway. (Although I could be Pakistani–after all, I support independence for Kashmir, and have interviewed Yasin Malik–that’s a big no-no for you Indian patriots, isn’t it?!)
MasalaChai // January 15, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I was just looking for some background info. Sorry to disturb.
I don’t think there is much point in dicussing the issues, because while I lean to the left myself, I most assuredly oppose many of the policies you seem to espouse, and I think the Naxalite’s sinking of the nuclear deal is probably the most tragic thing that has happened in Indian foreign policy in 25 years. Of course, I am hardly an Indian nationalist, just an NRI with an interest in helping to improve things.
Desi Italiana // February 2, 2008 at 4:41 am
“If you aren’t, I would have to question the legitimacy of some of your posts, and probably deduce that you are racist based on some of your generalizations. And yes, I think that a black, white or Indian person can say things about their own race that others cannot.”
Hey, “Masalachai,” why don’t you provide us a link to your blog so that we can get “background info” on you in order to ascertain the legitimacy of your comments.
“I don’t think there is much point in dicussing the issues”
Yeah, no point in discussing issues; but it’s certainly worthwhile to ask dumb ass questions like “What ethnicity are you because only Indians can say bad things about Indians” Clearly, LeftyProf’s ethnic background merits discussion, not issues!
therealpotato // February 5, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Ugh, LeftyProf, I’m sorry my troll found your blog!
therealpotato // February 5, 2008 at 6:45 pm
BTW, MasalaChai, I know LeftyProf, and he’s Mexican.
Renegade Eye // February 9, 2008 at 4:44 pm
See this about trolls.
I have now a post about Pakistan and the PPP, I hope you’ll comment on.
Everything you said about Bhutto is true, still the PPP should be supported, since it’s a mass working class party, with a socialist past.
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