Comments on: U.S. Aid Policy For Musharraf: Buckets of Cash

By: The Moderate Voice » Domestic and international news analysis, irreverent comments, original reporting, and popular culture features from across the political spectrum.

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 11:43:02 +0000

[...] House response to Musharraf’s heavy-handedness has been muted and U.S. aid – in the form of untraceable cash payments – continues to flow to Pakistan. Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte is to [...]

By: Cernig

Cernig — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 19:24:05 +0000

Have none of mrb's Pakistani friends pointed out to him that calling them "pakis" is an insult analogous with the N-word for black folks?

If not, I'm inclined to believe his friends are of the imaginary variety.

Regards, C

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 05:04:28 +0000

I have no good answers so how about a question. Why is it such a big US talking point that Musharraf "must take off his uniform" yet Bush so much likes wearing his as the CinC? I could think of hundreds of things I'd like to see changed in Pakistan before I'd focus on this one.

By: mrb

mrb — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:48:23 +0000

Pakisan is and always has been a failed state with tribal conflics that go wayyyy back. Class (MIDDLE) attitudes amoung pakis I know favor a benevolent dictator over the jihadist cranks. A middle class is the best defense against the nuts.
Feeding Musharraf to the dogs, like the peanut president did to he shah is not an option. What happens in Pakistan will drive events throughout the muslim world. Better to stop it here, at the antipode to the gates of vienna, and let Musharaff continue so long as the Army supports him.

By: Triumph

Triumph — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:38:06 +0000

Read the whole thing–it’s a disturbing and illuminating piece, and only goes to underscore an excellent point made by Matthew Yglesias today that the U.S. really has no choice but to meddle, somehow, in the current Pakistani crisis:

What else is new? Does anyone remember the father of Islamic extremism in Pakistan's military? Reagan's good buddy, Gen. Muhammad Zia- ul Huq's great accomplishment--aside from giving support to Islamic militants fighting in Pakistan (sound familiar?)--was to introduce sharia law to the country. During that period he was receiving millions from Reagan to help foster Islamic extremism not only in his own country--but also in Afghanistan.

By: Dave Schuler

Dave Schuler — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:24:02 +0000

Yeah, that's sort of the point I was trying to made on OTB Radio this evening. We don't have the option of butting out.