Benazir Bhutto 1953-2007: Where have I seen this before?

posted by Bill Arnett @ 1:34 PM Permalink

Sadly, Benazir Bhutto, two time Prime Minister of Pakistan, has been assassinated.

Given the genuinely "rough and tumble" politics of other nations than ours however, this was entirely predictable, which only increases my belief that some politicians really are willing to die for their beliefs, and will still put themselves in mortal danger while fully aware of the consequences.

I was in the Philippines in 1972 when Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law, and it was total chaos: no one knew what was happening, how long it might last, and how the Filipinos might regain control of their country after Marcos effectively exiled and deported Benito Aquino, probably the most popular politician in the country.

Marcos went a little further as well, swearing a blood oath that Aquino would never again set foot on Philippine soil.

Benito Aquino swore to return and, in 1982 he did. He was assassinated by one of the aircraft guards while deplaning and before he reached the tarmac. The guard then turned his weapon on himself and committed suicide.

The actors behind the assassination were never found out and the crime remains unsolved. His widow, Mrs. Corazon Aquino was elected president soon after the death of her husband.

Call me cynical, but I can't think of a single American politician so self-assured and confident as to be willing to literally lay their life on the line for this country, and I don't believe that bodes well for America.

Labels: Assassination