Perez Musharraf

So rather than be impeached (and prolly destroy the country in civil war right after, given what we've seen out of him) Pervez Musharraf has resigned. Much like Nixon, no?

You've probably already heard the stats. Took over in a coup in 1999. Has been head of state (and head of the army) since. You could call him a military dictator, but one who has flirted quite a bit with democracy, much in the fashion of English monarchs ("You're doing what I like, so I'll let you keep doing what I like. But the minute you change to what I don't like...").

Any guy who will simply dissolve the supreme court in order to avoid hearing, "Yep, you broke the law, Pervez" probably doesn't need to be running a democracy. That's really the only judgement I have on this situation. He's gone; and it's a good thing.

Now what to do with him?

I'm gonna be Gerald Ford crazy here, and say pardon him. It's time to move on and fry bigger fish. And you can argue the fact that without Musharraf, for better and worse things would not be what they are today in Pakistan. They're a strong nation, nuclear armed, a player in the world game, poised to launch a full blown democracy.

Would this have happened without 9 years of military rule? Probably. But now that he's paved the way for a new President (and era) in Pakistan with his resignation, I say we start with a fresh slate and leave him alone to finish off his life, reliving the glory years.

But really, what does my opinion matter? I'm an American. That's Pakistan. I rightly have no say in the process...something we should remember a little more often since some of us have pissed away the moral highground.

Monday Monday Monday

So...it's a holiday week...so I plan to do a brief lil "Thankful" theme this week.

So...I'm thankful for...hrm...having real checks and balances in my government. As much as President Bush insists that he knows whats best for us, and that his administration is the only thing that will keep us safe from the terrorists, you don't see him contemplating a run for the Senate in order to hold onto power. No matter how much Bush wants to ignore the Constitutional rights of our citizens in the name of security and tap all their communications because there may be probable cause, you don't seem him simply suspending it and firing the Supreme Court.

I'm thankful the democratic process in the United States has enough juice left to keep the government from completely becoming one man's puppet.

And now for some news...

Musharraf Cleared for New Term, from NPR (With a stacked court, who's surprized?)
Bangladesh Cyclone Toll Hits 3100, from AP via NPR.org
Homeland Security Adviser Resigns, from AP via NPR.org
Fountain Square Busy, but Exact Number is Unknown, from WVXU
Millions Cut from Budget in City Manager's Recommendation, from WVXU
Israel to Release 450 Prisoners, from BBC
Kosovo Warned by EU on Independence, from BBC

Find Your Elected Folks, Part 3!

So...thus far, we've found the President, my Congresswoman, my Senators, and the Governor of Ohio. What's next, you ask? Isn't that all?



Excuse me while I laugh. Because we're just getting started.



After this week tho, I plan on shaking it up a bit, don't worry. But for this fine Thursday morning, more elected reps!



Let's look at my State Senator. Or Senators? How does that work, exactly? I dunno...but I know where to start.

1. Go to the Ohio homepage.


2. On the right hand side of the page, you should see a blue box with the Governor's photo on it. Above him, there are some tabs...one of them says "Legislative." Click it.


3. We've got some options. We've got 5 links, one each for the Senate, the House, and the General Assembly, plus one each for Find Your Senator and Find Your Representative. (I'm glad we did this, 'cause I had no idea these legislative webpages were here).


4. I'm going to search for my Senator. Punch in my Zip Code, and I get the scoop on Robert Schuler (this is a neat service!)


5. Just for kicks, let's do my Representative too. Again w/ my Zip, I meet Michelle Schneider.

Go try it...it's fun!

Now for Some News...

• House Approves Spending Bill Tied to Troop Withdrawal (Too bad the Senate will never go for it), from NPR
• Mitt Romney Has Trouble Ahead Because of Mormon Faith, from NPR
• Airport Security Not Very Secure, from NPR
• Bishops Issue Voting Guidelines, from NPR
• Good News, Bad News About Iran, from BBC
• Musharraf Names Interim Prime Minister, from BBC

With Allies Like This...

Faced with the possibility of the Supreme Court telling him he could not legally hold power, Musharraf did the only thing a democratic leader could do: He declared martial law.

Musharraf came to power in 1999 in a coup. He's maintained his position as the head of the Pakistan Army while President, a point of constant legal controversy. He swore that if reelected this time around, he would finally resign his army position.

That wasn't quite enough for the opposition, and a challenge was brought to the Supreme Court. Was it constitutionally legal for Musharraf to be elected while serving as the head of the army? The answer was widely seen as "no," but with Musharraf's history of not respecting the judicial branch no one hurried to say so.

At first the court pushed off the decision, but then back pedalled and were about to make the call, when Musharraf cut them off, suspending constitutional rule and removing Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry from his post as Chief Justice for a second time. Lawyers across the country were successful in staging protests last time, but Musharraf has been arresting and beating them by the hundreds.

One government official told the press 1500 to 1800 people have been detained nationwide. Supreme Court justices who would not swear allegience to Musharraf's new court are under house arrest and other "pressure," according to one justice who refused to join the new court. Prominent critics of Musharraf are also under house arrest, from Islamist groups to the chairman of the Human Rights Commision of Pakistan.

The Netherlands were the first to suspend aid to Pakistan in light of new events. The British are examining their aid package, but the United States has done little more than voice concern. Aid from the leader of the Free World will continue to flow to the new police state without a hiccup, so the anti-terror operations can continue uninterrupted.

NPR
BBC

***

Personally, I don't see the benefit in being safe from the terrorists if we have to allow the world's nations to be ruled by dictators. The wrongs we are tolerating from our "allies" in the "war on terror" are shameful, and so much worse than any bomb, or multiple bombs, that could ever land on our shores.

The rule of law. Civil liberties. Freedom to criticize the government. Separation of powers. Transparency. A nation based on a constitution, not a man's whim. These are the things that make a nation worth living in, worth dying for. These are what constitute a free state.

The United States of America is yet again supporting a dictator who abuses his people, and calls on Abraham Lincoln for justification. The United States of America is placing a greater value on fighting terror than on the principles of our nation. The United States of America is taking its eye off the ball because of fear, and the United States of America should be ashamed of itself.

Excuse me while I drop my Congressman and Senators a line.