Somebody may have killed Bhutto because she had proof the Pakistani government was planning to rig the elections.

See:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/01/2129959.htm

Here is some background on Pakistan from Guardian columnist Anita Inder Singh.

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/anita_inder_singh/2007/12/the_finger_on_the_trigger.html

And this place has nukes!

More generally, the MIC [military-intelligence combine] had reared and sustained extremists against Pakistan's archenemy, India, long before 9/11 placed terrorism on the global agenda. Since 2001 the MIC has trained the extremists who threaten to derail Nato's anti-terrorist campaign in Afghanistan. Even the ignorant Bush government, which thought that Pakistan could become democratic by the mere act of Musharraf replacing his uniform with civvies, has been told of the links between the MIC and extremism.

The embrace between state and Islamic clerics has been strong and constant. Bhutto herself succumbed to that embrace as prime minister in the 1990s, if only to steal the thunder of her political and military rivals and to establish her credentials as the "best" Muslim. Indeed the Taliban, created by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, was sustained by her government. And military rulers have always found alliances with religious extremists indispensable to shoring up their political standing and power.

Perhaps a momentary digression to Afghanistan could throw some light on the question, as Taliban thuggery has increased over the last two years. Would the Taliban have been able to carry out their cruel acts without training and sustenance from the Pakistani side? No. Never. In fact, UN, Nato and even American officials see Pakistan's hand behind the rising Taliban violence in Afghanistan.

So blame the military and intelligence, if you like, for Bhutto's assassination. Blame the suicide bomber, who may have spun out of the MIC's control - or acted under their instructions and with their connivance. Whatever - or whoever - inspired Bhutto's suicide killer, the chances are that his disgusting mission was facilitated by the culture of violence created by Pakistan's military and intelligence services, governing with the benefit of clergy.

I have no way of assessing the truth of Ms Singh's allegation but, to me, they sound plausible.

Yes! yes! yes! we all know the story. Just remember one thing. There are first world people and there are second world people and there are third world people. Too interfere with an old world has to be done with a careful and gentle understanding. And with that, and lets face it, in evolutionary terms, we are all learning our self's. Technology has been pushed down our throats at a rate that we all are choking on it and at our stage of development, I believe that this is unfair. In my opinion, we should all back off and tend to our own gardens. If you all just look around you, we are all moving a bit too quick. No wonder there is so much hate in the world today! Some are drinking their fill, and some are scraping the dirt for something to eat.

We should not be going this way, and it all still comes down to one thing. OVER POPULATION.
Now do you see the problem.

keith

You are getting sillier and sillier. I know you don't actually believe what you say. Israel had nothing whatever to do with Pakistan. The Jewish religion, unlike Christianity and Islam believes that all good people can go to heaven regardless of their religious belief. That is why Jews make no attempt to convert any one, they see no advantage in the eyes of God. That is why Jewish communities in India have always been accepted by the Hindus. It is why Muslims, Christians and others have equality and a vote in Israel.

Now let's get back to the subject. India with an identical colonial past is becoming a free democratic nation (like Israel). Why has Pakistan not been able to follow in the same way?

Keith - touche ;)

Note however, that I wrote that I think Islam is the most loathsome of the monotheisms.. which doesn't mean I don't think the others are loathsome too, just less so. I am no fan of Israel's policies either. The middle east is a superb example of what lies at the heart of most 'religious' disputes anyway - land. If you have read my posts before, I find most organised religion and interference of church in matters of state - abhorrent.

None of which detracts from the fact that followers of Islam appear far more prone to violent conduct than most. Pakistan is merely the latest example (9/11, Danish cartoons fiasco etc).

The more complicated the world thinks, the no answers you get. Its true, aim set in my primitive world, but at least, I don't pretend that this whole site is just a pissing contest. The fact is, if you are all that smart, why arnt you all million aries.