Filibuster Cartoons
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General Musharraf, the tyrant who runs Pakistan, declares martial law late last week, suspending the constitution, arresting his political opponents, flooding troops into the streets, and ushering in rule-by-decree. This was obstensibly done as part of a crackdown on Islamic terrorists, but there’s obviously a huge element of opportunism involved as well. In recent months Musharraf’s rule has seemed weaker than ever before, as high-profile protests mount in opposition to his rule, and exiled former politicians like Benzir Bhutto return to openly contest his power.
Along with the Pakistani people, the big loser in all of this has been President Bush, General Musharaf’s staunchest ally. Mr. Bush has invested a lot of capital (as well as cash) in the assumption that Musharraf is a dictator unlike other dictators; one that is geninuely competent in fighting terrorism, and aims to restore democracy to his people. Both gambles may be proving false.
