There is nothing surprising here - it is simply a continuation of US policy. We have backed Pakistan's dictators almost from the beginning, arming them to the teeth - especially when India was non-aligned during the cold war and had the guts to be friendly and trade with the Soviet Union, earning the wrath of the US (every thing is pure good or pure evil - 5th grade diplomacy; "you're either with us or against us: is also a continuation of cold war policy). I am so angry I could just burst.

Democracy is acceptable only when the people vote for governments that support compliance to US & US corporate economic and political demands. Will the US turn on Musharraf and back the people? What would that action say to other governments that we have been backing? This could be Iran all over again - except with nuclear weapons. Even a casual study of history makes one a cynic - I guess that is why they generally do not teach it in the US schools, but only in the very good high schools and colleges (you know, where all those liberal commie fanatics hang out).

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Thanks to Mr. Moyers for this commentary.

The prodigious indifference to our government has allowed it to make blunder after blunder. Our foreign policy is thoroughly contaminated with lies, contradictions, hypocrisy, and imperial hubris.

Musharraf presents a near-perfect case in point. Here's a man that came into power by overthrowing a democratically elected government by a military coup. America looked the other way. Musharraf has been unwilling to capture Osama bin Laden, yet Bush calls him an ally in the "War on Terror". Musharraf declares martial law after being challenged by his own people and the best advice that Bush can give is that he should take off his uniform, because even as Commander in Chief Bush thinks that he can't be head of the government and head of the military at the same time.

As ludicrous and as dangerous and as unforgivable as this is, it's only one in a 6 year string of foreign policy blunders of equal or greater magnitude.

I assume that writing this comment on Alternet is like preaching to the choir. We need to somehow rein in the power of our own local semi-dictator, who has defied the law and painted the US.

We can start by urging everyone to support Dennis Kucinich in his effort to impeach Cheney. It's the only way we are going to undo the bogus "unitary executive" theory and re-establish accountability and Consitutional law.

- Wexler

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It is not our country. What happens within Pakistan is none of our business.

The ruling elite think that our interests are internal within other countries; this has caused the world problems we see today.

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Hmmmm - We should take a lesson from the brave peoplein Pakistan. they go into the streets and protest and fight against the government - they speak out and they put their lives on the line. We too are under a dictatorship by a corrupt criminal regime. We may have elected them (somehow) but what they are doing in our name, how they have lied and the crimes they commit must not be allowed to stand. We have forgotten the that democracy requires vigilence and this country is in desperate need of a revolution once again to throw off the mantle of evil-doers who now run our lives.

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This could be an example of what The Administrative had in the plans for the United States. Everything that we see this Country going through shows what we may have been facing.

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This could be an example of what The Administrative Powers had in the plans for the United States. Everything that we see this Country going through shows what we may have been facing.

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Once again, Thanks to Bill Moyers for his review and insights. Many of the insights one could say are understandable as we who live in the west feel that our way of life is most assuredly the best, yet there where several thoughts that cropped up while listening to Moyers video.
First, what really is Democracy? Pakistan is discovering again that the people must make the collective clear choice for who they want to speak for them, what they wish spoken about, sovereign issues to be handled on their corporate behalf,..and the continuance of their freedoms hard earned. It seems to me that the electoral flavours of the last decade has been to talk about freedom, yet portray another aspect..(a lower one) of chosen and elected governance. This is the function of Autocracy,..(the government by a single person having unlimited power,..despotism;..a country or state having this form of governance).A Dictatorship.
Two,..what is really happening to the rights and freedoms to those of us in North America? Isn't it that an Autocracy,. even if it's framed under what is assumed to be a Democracy is still just an Autocracy? Are Americas rights and freedoms still in place? Is America still a real Democracy where those "chosen" to govern do so but under the clear mandate and understanding that "We The People" are the actual REAL government, that those who govern,.. do so but within the clear framework of that liberty and mandate;..where freedoms are guaranteed? That "Constitutions are not Suspended" by any act of any willful determination by any President or Prime Minister, no matter the overtone of their time to run the "mighty ship of state"? That all acts are carried on under the clear scrutiny and legal authorised frameworks contained within the "Constitutions", that agreements collectively framed area by area, region by region within our countries by our chosen few,.. are really at the behest of the "We" part of "We The People"? Where not even big bussiness or any financial institution can be allowed to falsly colour any meaning within our "Constitutions", our "Bill of rights"?
Third,..where there is a powerful manifestation of an Autocracy as with The PM of Packistan, what is really more destructive,..their approach to dictatorship,..or what's really going on here but under the sheets of deceit and false truths, blended with time and ..."Oh, the people will forget..and we'll put it all behind us"? Where is our America, our good ol'North America today especially in light of Pakistan? Will we ever taste of something similar before "We" rise up and CLARIFY our meaning and determinations?

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Bush is the worlds biggest dictator not musharruff and you cannot have Democracy in Packistan without having Democracy in the USA. first. You will never have Democracy as long as big money corperations and their lobyist run things. Wealthy people make terrible leaders, did you ever see a millionaire leading the charge in a combat zone? You will never have Democracy if the wealth are running things as they are now and you see what you have and things will only get worst. It will get to the point where foreigners will own your your land cause you won't be able to afford it as your money is not worth anything. So why would they want to blow it up Duh? Why worry about terrorist attacking your country when you are only going to sell it to them anyway. Then they will torture all of you in your prisons in your country while living in your houses that you can't afford, so unless you do something about it, your screwed. Pay back is a wonderfull thing somethimes and all you evil one's, yes you know who you are. They will search the world to find all you criminals and you will all get what you deserve. I mean you Hedge fund thieves too, Good luck and God bless.

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When are we going to have Democracy in the United States?

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.....each time I see Bill Moyers of late, I am more convinced that he is a limited hangout, herding the progressive wing of fascist Amerkkka along to the alternative option.

It's all in the adjectives.

Nurse!!!! More swill please.

Oink.

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Musharraf happens to be the most loyal and a nice, sincere ally of US. When told to hand over the Pakistan dream rein to Miss Bhutto. With out any hesitation and against all the odds; he accepted and obeyed. In order to smooth out the ‘way in’ for Bhutto; as a first step he terminated the ambitious Chief Justice of Supreme Court. But this; his move some how became too obvious. Thing went awry and Chief Justice has to be reinstated.
In the second phase of this Safe guarded move, Musharraf issued a ‘National Reconciliation Ordinance’ to clear Bhutto of corruption charges for her safe landing in Pakistan; but he himself got stuck with his own Presidency issue.(He may be planning to quit all together and presidency may be his exit route)

Musharraf has been making his excellent moves and Miss Bhutto is now in Pakistan like a free Scot; making all the ripples for breaking news and head lines in the world media...

In order to secure his way out, Musharraf has to promulgate Emergency Order to get rid of the chief Justice and has sacked him.
In the hum drum of the situation and finding Musharraf on some weaker wickets; Bhutto has started exploiting this fragile situation and has chosen the route of defiance and confrontation with Musharraf. This exercise may be for warming up her political theatre but she has also started maligning and undermining the Army.

She is sending wrong signals to the Islamist and Taliban, since bounded by Army in the North-western Mountains . She is also instigating the civil society for civil unrest. In the absence of Army on the scene; the monstrous Islamist forces and Taliban, waiting in the wings; are likely to come down from their mountainous dens to spread anarchy and ultimately take over. Benazir is a corrupt figure and may also not fetch sufficient votes to form a majority government. The entire plan is likely to go awry.

Benazir is a poor US choice in Pakistan but probably this may be the 'Neocons smart plan' also to exploit the prevalent mayhem and anarchy in Pakistan and finally move in…with the aim to target the nukes assets of Pakistan.
------------------------------
Love for all, Hatred for none

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When the hell are we going to see democracy in America?

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Then we can worry about the rest of the world.

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As we always do America is once again supporting a ruthless Dictator over the People of Pakistan..!

They as always, will remember this and then turn on us, We the American people for being led by these corporate fascist scum bags...!


Simple as that...!


Hegel said: "The one thing history teaches is that man learns nothing from history..!"

That goes double for Bush and Condi "The Oil Whore of Babylon" Rice....QED..!

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With Demo-rats like Schumer and Feinstein and others there is no longer any hope for the Rule of Law and the Constitution being anything but "a piece of paper"..!

It's long past time that the American people begin National Strikes to take back and restore our Constitution..!

All the pieces are set in place for Busharraf to declare an emergency and assume Dictatorial powers in America under NSPD-51, HSPD-20, The Warner Defense Act and Executive Order 14348 among other treasonous documents and the signing statements by the fascists David Addington and
John Yoo among others..


Jefferson said: "Ours is not a system based upon Trust, but one of Suspicion..!"

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We push the ideals of democracy on everyone else,but do we follow the ideals?.I've looked it up just to be sure ,and when I compare I don't find Democracy,I see traces of fascism,..empire...I see what our administrions do and have done to others! Democracies do not fight democracies,..really? we do! we topple democratically elected Goverments ,because we either don't like the choice or we want something! how about the freedoms? granted we still do have a lot of freedoms that others don't,but for how long ,and under what guise will we lose more ,and willingly too,don't be so quick to beleive everything Gov.tells you, I figure by now most of us out there realize goverments lie!

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