Pakistan Powder Keg, Musharraf Impeachment Threat

Pakistan's ruling parliament made the I-word, impeachment, threat to former general President Musharraf implicit. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi repeated, resign or watch us strip you of what's left of your coalition's power publicly in less than a week. Multi-tiered fascination abounds. Musharraf anointed himself president in a military coup, while the Pakistani army essentially says we do one coup per guy. Musharraf used his freebie already and the army is currently spouting noble words on how this is a civilian situation. Enfeebled President Pervez Musharraf who pinned on his general stars and knife edged ironed his army outfit for the last time six months ago for public consumption, is trying cut a deal with anybody who will listen as the ground erodes beneath his feet, Wyl E. Coyote style. No ability to use hard power renders Musharraf impotent in today's Pakistan, and for the worsening situation in Kashmir, even for protecting sporting events and their players. On cue, Al Qaeda's Zawahari utters his two cents.

However, Mills told The Press newspaper that nothing the taskforce or Lawson said had allayed the players' fears, adding that the situation in Pakistan was changing daily and had worsened even after the delegation had visited New Zealand.

He conceded the security plans were impressive on paper and some of the best he had seen.

"But the fact remains they are untested and we have doubts whether Pakistan could deliver on those plans," he said.

The foreign policy inept Bush Administration ensured the US government had all its chips in the "democratically" elected Musharraf's presidency. They doubled down on Musharraf being able to quell dissent like they did with a fake riot in Florida the US press hyped and hoped that if they just believed Musharraf would just muscle his way through this. The problem is, who exactly has control of Pakistan's nukes now and who exactly will have control after Musharraf has all his possessions eradicated from the halls of power. India and the US are both deeply concerned with a resurgence of al Qaeda in Pakistan, an up tick in religious violence in Kashmir from inside Indian controlled areas over a toilet installation at a sacred shrine and from the border, Afghanistan's paralysis of a surge of Taliban fighters and policies and Pakistan's adroit and powerful intelligence agency, ISI, getting even cozier with covered in US, India & China's money, an ascendant Saudi Arabia. Bush has no friends with real power or diplomatic network in place to work through the issues. Condi Rice gets State Department frequent flyer miles, not progress. (AP photo/Yasmin in Kashmir)

Bajaur, like other tribal district, is believed to provide sanctuaries for al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters launching cross-border attacks on US-led international forces in Afghanistan.

Let's see, Russia is busy slapping around upstart Georgia while Vladimir Putin spit in Bush's eye at every turn after Bush claimed to have seen Pooty-Poot's soul when gazing deeply into his eyes. Notice, Putin was at the Olympics, not the president, but Putin exited after the opening ceremonies to act as Russia's Commander in Chief. President Musharraf suffered a loss of his tattered prestige earlier this year with the assassination of popular political rival Benazir Bhutto, the spectacle of departing the former prime minister, the declaration of Martial law, the firing of the Pakistani Supreme Court and the jailing of dissidents while the middle class's power is out during a heat wave. The kicker is Musharraf was seen as a key voice of settling violence in the Kashmir region. How Bush like as other areas see rise in religious violence as Musharraf plans his next steps.

Local newspapers said that Taliban militants from the neighbouring North Waziristan tribal zone had entered Kurram to back the Sunni tribes involved in the fighting, now in its 12th day.

Residents said Sunni tribesmen torched three villages belonging to Shiite tribes and both sides used rockets, heavy machine guns and mortars in the fierce clashes.

"In today's and yesterday's clashes at least 23 people have been killed on both sides and 28 others were injured," a security official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Pakistan is a powder keg atop long range nuclear missiles with a shifting alliance three-way internal struggle between secular, fundamentalist religious forces and Sunni and Shi'a fighters for control of rural tribal villages. The fighting won't stop, even if Musharraf became the ex-president in the next five minutes, but somebody who is not a friend of the USA or India will have their hands on nuclear weapons while Bush frets about Iran & Iraq and Saudi Arabia, who don't yet have them. They have something else though, money to buy them or the technology.

Further critical reading can be found from a number of subject matter experts on the tangled ties between America, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and India. The Pakistani Army has never before been chronicled so well in Crossed Swords: Pakistan, Its Army and the Wars Within from the scholarly author, Shuja Nawaz.

Descent into Chaos: The United States and the Failure of A Nation comes from the best selling author expert, Ahmed Rashid, as he painstakingly charts how a dangerous Bush focus in Iraq ignored the larger context in southeast Asia where the real problems exist.

Benazir Bhutto Assassinated in Suicide Bombing

Benazir Bhutto is dead.

Ms. Bhutto had just finished speaking at a political rally before thousands of her supporters. Her return to Pakistan in October was to resume her political career. Reports say shots were fired, first striking her, before the suicide bomber struck killing at least twenty others. Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's president, recently lifted martial rule, but is known to have antipathy towards former Prime Minister Bhutto, 54, who made no secret of her continuing political ambitions. She has two daughters and one son primarily still living in Dubai. She was 35 when first elected in a secular Pakistan.

Benazir Bhutto was an ally of the United States and familiar with western policies having graduated from Harvard and Oxford. Her father was assassinated (hanged) in Pakistan in the 1970's by a general who later died in a mysterious plane crash,. She spoke to the risks of her life in prior interviews. She was accused of corruption before being exiled from a coup, leading to another coup orchestrated by the current Pakistani president, Pervez Musharraf, then ruler of the powerful Pakistani military affiliated with its Saudi sponsored intelligence forces, ISI.

Politics in Pakistan imperil the rule of law with Musharraf previously declaring martial law, stacking Pakistan's Supreme Court and at first disallowing the return of Nawaz Sharif from exile. Musharraf recently stepped down as the head of the military in accordance with negotiations before the country voted in election. This is also deadly blow to the relationship between Pakistan and the US as the Bush administration walks a fine line knowing Pakistan has nuclear weapons. There will be many questions regarding security, motives and Pakistan's future without Benazir Bhutto.

Pakistan Coup E II, Quotes Honest Abe

What do you do if you are the president and the Supreme Court is in danger of nullifying your victory dance because of the narrowest of victories? In the twenty-first century, both presidents faced with this outcome declared a mandate, were snippy with their known rival and initiated extra-Constitutional privileges. Pakistan's President by self-acclimation - again. Pervez Musharraf, is taking no risks to his authority by declaring his Supreme Court on vacation. He is taking total control under a martial law scenario - again. Musharraf is going with what worked before because there is no need to reinvent the wheels of democracy when they spin against him. Musharraf suspended the Supreme Court before they could rule against him, further weakening his already tenuous hold on power resulting from a coup against Bhutto. People are taking to the streets throughout Pakistan in protest and defiance along with Jamaat-i-Islami, a Pakistani opposition party in Manga Mandi. (Photo courtesy Warrick Page)

Democracy is on life support in Pakistan as phone lines are cut, stations taken off the air, arrests of activists and dissidents made and Musharraf ignores the rule of law. US Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, is frantically exploring options to freeze or retract financial aid. That'll really show that upstart nuclear power, not. Benazir Bhutto, a former political refugee, returned from exile to one of the worst welcomes, suicide bombers killing 160 people lined up to see her. She is critical of this undemocratic action and plans to challenge (er, planned) Musharraf's power in the 2008 election. The other famous exile, Nawaz Sharif, was promptly arrested, humiliated and publicly deported back to his safe haven in Saudi Arabia when the former PM tried a brazen return. The US badly needs a friendly ally in a moderate Pakistan. It is quite the diplomatic embarrassment to have Musharraf cite a nineteenth century American president as part of his tortured rationale.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said at a news conference today that new parliamentary elections, which had been expected in January, could be “up to a year” away. He said up to 500 opposition activists had been arrested nationwide.

Musharraf announced the emergency decree, under which the Constitution was suspended and most of the Supreme Court was dismissed, on state-run television just after midnight. In a 45-minute speech, the president said he had declared the emergency to limit terrorist attacks and “preserve the democratic transition that I initiated eight years back.” He did not say how long the state of emergency would be maintained.

The general, dressed in civilian clothes, quoted Abraham Lincoln, citing his suspension of some rights during the American Civil War as justification for the state of emergency in Pakistan. (emphasis mine)

In the off key musical chairs of Pakistan's leaders, it is now clear coup maestro Musharraf is violating the basic rules by staying seated in the only power seat. In an Orwellian masterstroke, Musharraf commands the airwaves. The BBC and CNN have had their plugs pulled. Defense lawyers and other human rights leaders find themselves behind bars unable to render aid to protesters. An ignorant populace is an easily led undefended populace from Quetta to Lahore to Islamabad.

The book, Deception: Pakistan, the United States and the Secret Trade in Nuclear Weapons explains exactly what is at stake for Americans and the world in this latest derailment of democracy in Pakistan by Musharraf. The brilliant inside look is authored by Adrian Levy and Catherine Scott-Clark and released two weeks ago. A must read.

Former Premier Bounced from Pakistan

Learning the words to the American classic, On the Road Again, is former Pakistani premier, Nawaz Sharif, after being unceremoniously told to get out of Musharraf's Dodge, mere hours after his arrest at the arrival gate. He SO thought it was going to be a hearts and candy welcome. Sharif should have booked a ticket to Hawaii. Instead he's back in Saudi Arabia after his public arrest and deportation. How embarrassingly Paris Hilton-like to have all that luggage when it was only a day trip. (Reuters photo/Petr Josek)

"It is only Musharraf's ego and his stubborness that is standing in my way," Sharif told ARY TV Channel at the Islamabad Airport Lounge, as he waited for the authorities' plan of action after his aircraft landed from London.

Describing as painful the situation he was in, the 57-year-old PML(N) leader regretted that he and his supporters who accompanied him from London were not able to make any telephonic contact with the outside world after their arrival here.

"This indicates the sorry state of affairs in the country. Emigration should be allowed. I should get my vehicle and be allowed to start my journey," he said. Sharif had planned to hit the road to reach Lahore after reaching here.

President Musharraf is clearly sending a message that he is the top commander guy and Shraif was not an invited guest. Problem is, no one knows for how long with Musharraf's serious negotiations with his former rival, ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto still ongoing. She is planning a return. Musharraf came to office in a military coup. That could not have happened without the intelligence services cooperation. And the intelligence services are key to holding power in Pakistan. Meanwhile, Sharif thought that holding a photo-op at the airport with crowds of supporters who ultimately clashed with police, would sway Pakistanis. His charges of money laundering remain. Sharif exited Pakistan back to Jeddah, weeping. He wanted to be the one to overthrow Musharraf. Interestingly enough, Saudi Arabia asked Sharif to stay put in exile after the new Saudi intelligence chief met with the Pakistani president in Rawalpindi. (picture Earth Times)

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have a storied history together. Pakistan's intelligence service, ISI received an immeasurable amount of funding from Saudi Arabia's stealthy spy commander, the inscrutable, urbane and American-educated, Prince Turki. Until last year when he unexpectedly quit then hopped on a private jet enraged, Prince Turki was the Ambassador to the US replacing the rakish Bush family crony, Prince Bandar. Prince Turki is/was godfather for Osama bin Laden, who just happens to be releasing another you-should-be-scared-as-Hell, America - YouTube-style video today. OBL is considered by many to be somewhere in the ungovernable badlands of Pakistan, the country with real nukes.

The intelligence, family and political ties between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are legend. Saudi Arabia has funded a number of the strict Muslim madrassas in Pakistan. Surprise, surprise, Sharif returned to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia today to resume his exile and refurbish his résume. The national Pakistan political soap opera continues.

Frontline Pakistan: The Struggle with Militant Islam details the struggle that continues today to hold together a coalition of strength to govern in Pakistan. This offering is from Zahid Hussain. More history on Pakistan and the intelligence service, especially with superb Pulitzer prize winners mentioned here.

World's Weather Gone WILD!

Rain, Rain and ever more where that came from, is Asia's lament. Germany paddled through record rain this May while England is still drying out from its worst ever torrential downpours and massive flooding. Pakistan is bracing for "calamity hit"weather caused by the latest monsoon/cyclone complicated by an inclement political storm jeopardizing President Musharraf's hold on power. Japan took a direct hit from a typhoon last week without casualties. Taiwan is bracing for Tropical Storm Pabuk, while hundreds have died in China and millions sought shelter on higher ground. Dust bowls and drought are dominating Kenya's weather, though lately there was a modicum of rain in sub-Saharan Africa.

The weather panoply includes a F2 tornado in Brooklyn, New York, killer heat in Georgia, warnings and unbearable sweltering humidity on the USA's eastern seaboard. Melting ice flows are endangering Canada's ability to map the seabed to provide proof for their claim of territorial jurisdiction to the UN are just a few weather stories.

United Nations' World Meteorological Organization declared more violent weather to come in the remaining 5 months of 2007 and the worst is not over. Tangible and intangible economic costs will continue to climb as tourism, business production and government aid are affected the world over.

Larger global implications are debated as Earth continues to warm and climate changes adversely impact food supplies, dense population centers and fresh water. Most people check the weather for their local area of concern. It is past time to fully appreciate what the global weather report looks like for all to see. Environmental devastation from erosion leaves wetlands and historic shorelines vulnerable, more deforestation in the Amazon would produce more rain and the spread of disease increases with emergency evacuations due to severe weather.

Knowledge about the world's weather and overall patterns are found in a range of terrific books that delve into the details and political debate on Global Warming resulting from Climate Change. Australia's Tim Flannery offers The Weather Makers: History and Future Impact of Climate Change with much more at his site. USA scientist, Chris Mooney authored Storm World: Hurricanes, Politics, and the Battle over Global Warming. Canadian writer Guy Dauncey penned Stormy Weather:101 Solutions to Global Climate Change. Floods, Droughts and Climate Change by Michael Collier is new at Powell's.

Is Al Qaeda Bush's Beetlejuice?

The way the curse works is you have to say it three times to summon the Evil. It doesn't matter whether it is spoken softly, stated harshly or yelled loudly. President Bush summons the al Qaeda/Beetlejuice boogeyman with every ounce of his verbal capacity at every opportunity.

Bush does his "Beetlejuice" thing like clockwork - Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda, Al Qaeda. BOO!

Al Qaeda is everywhere in Iraq, nowhere to be captured in Afghanistan, but has a forwarding address in Pakistan. The 9/11 Commission reported no link between Iraq and 9/11 terrorism, but the most uninformed president of the United States keeps trying to make a lie the truth. Ugh! Lemmings who believe that 9/11 and Iraq are linked watch the befuddled Fox News where accuracy is not as high on the list as "fair and balanced".

The 9/11 Commission even put out a report in book form with recommendations that remain credenzaware six years after 9/11.

Presidential Requirement: Preserve, Protect & Defend the Constitution

That is a key part of the Oath of Office for an American president as proscribed directly in The Constitution. Members of the US Senate and the House of Representatives, government officials, the Judiciary and our nation's military swear a slightly different Oath using the words support and defend. A memorable oath took place with the ceremonial use of Jefferson's Koran combining the past with the present, unnerving a few Christian hypocrites. The Oath does not have a religious value, but many use holy texts to underline their commitment.

In all cases, the oath of office involves affirming or swearing an Oath to uphold the US Constitution, the culmination of Democracy. The precious Blood of the citizenry flowed within the borders of this country and in other sovereign nations in support and defense of the ideals and principles contained within the Constitution since the founding of this republic. Now The Constitution and what it means is at stake and few are paying attention.

There is a bill for Cheney's Impeachment that has gained more c0-sponsors. That is not enough. Bush and Cheney have refused cooperation with an equal branch of government, wiretapped illegally and admitted the illegality, used faulty intelligence to send the nation into the most misbegotten and incompetently run war, renditioned people to secret prisons, agreed to suspension of the hallowed use of Habeus Corpus, outed an undercover CIA official, allowed the destruction of a US city as the victims of Katrina were left in squalor, lost billions in funds in Iraq, created a culture that allowed the manifestation of Abu Gharib and on and on. It is as if the Bush/Cheney cabal is daring Impeachment by a sheepish Congress. The books alone on the malfeasance and maliciousness of this administration will forever scorch the Bush administration's legacy for generations to the 10th power to come. So much for Bush's wish to be rescued by Lady History.

On Friday, July 13th, Bill Moyers on PBS, invited the author of the first article of Impeachment for Bill Clinton, Bruce Fein and John Nichols on to discuss the current Constitutional Crisis and its required Remedy. Crimes need the investigation and leadership of the House of Representatives. Speaker Pelosi stated Impeachment was "off the Table". Nancy, the Table belongs to the People. That violates your Oath of Office to support and defend. There must be a moral leader who understands that the Constitution stands above partisan politics, reinforces the foundation of the Rule of Law and is willing to lose his or her political job over it. The Constitution laid out the rationale and the Founders anticipated just this scenario. Impeachment is embedded in the parchment for a Purpose. Are we without Leadership that understands its Purpose and forgot its Oath?

Moyer's PBS special last night with conservatives agreeing that Impeachment is the Remedy is must see TV. To learn more about the House of Representatives, the body responsible for investigatinons that may possibly lead to any president's impeachment, please read the beautifully researched book by Robert V. Remini, The House: The History of the House of Representatives. Upon reflection, he wishes he had named the book The People's House.

President to Address Nation on Al Qaeda Threat

The president of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, has a nation divided by distrust, religious and secular anger and grief and makes his point on Thursday, Pakistan time. The bloody siege at the Red Mosque ended in a hail of gunfire; leaving more than 70 dead along with the Muslim cleric, Abdul Rashid Ghazi. The cleric led a violent revolution for installing a Taliban-style management in Pakistan. Did Musharraf's intelligence service, ISI, let him down or tell him no problem, it was a slam dunk?

There are angry vows of retribution over the destruction of the mosque from Al Qaeda. From somewhere close by, Ayman al-Zawahiri, the Egyptian and the number two the US can't find, has vowed vengeance for the destruction of the mosque by the Pakistani commando units.

This comes atop the American Homeland Security Chief, Michael "The Gutsy Predictor" Chertoff abusing this nation's trust by announcing he thought there were going to be spectacular terrorist events but he had no specific credible information for this summer. No worries; it was a gut check, that the White House is running away from as fast as it can. That comes atop the same day the Bush Administration announced a strengthening threat from al Qaeda, which seems to be a catch all de facto name for all armed people against the US now. Talk about mixed messages!

Understanding the ISI and the predicament Musharraf is in, are well documented and Pulitzer Prize winning books. Ghost Wars: The Secret History of the CIA, Afghanistan and Bin Laden From the Soviet Invasion to September 10, 2001 by Steve Coll, documents the ISI's history and the heavy influence from Saudi Arabia. Also, The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 by Lawrence Wright has excellent biographical and rationale detailed that upends everything learned from the traditional media. Anything by Karen Armstrong goes a long way to explaining spiritual underpinnings. But my favorite book on explaining religions is by Huston Smith, aptly titled The World's Religions and is written from the perspective of practicing that religion. What other sources for enlightenment would you add?