Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (43251)	9/7/2002 11:25:50 AM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

AS I explained above milking is what Egypt does, No disagreement there... It's the "bribery" we offered both Egypt and Israel at Camp David that has prevented both nations from escalating back to direct conflict. Democracy is great and we wish we had it functioning, but under democracy we were about to be getting a dose of Shariah bill where all Anglo Saxon law would have been replaced by Saudi like Shariah, Good point. And that's a major issue within Islam due to the belief that the religion encompasses all aspects of how to run a society, religious, political, legal, and economic. Which is also why I'm not particularly keen on Unicameral government (parliamentary). There is much more "democracy" but little that prevents a tyranny of the majority over the minority. Call me "biased" but I still opine that a constitutional republic, such as the US, is actually ideal since it consists of so many checks and balances on power, as well as separation of church and state. It also forces the extremists on both sides to moderate their ideologies by being channeled into several primary political parties rather than dozens of factions that form shifting coalitions and "no-confidence" votes on a whim. But most of all the constitution protects the rights of everyone, not just muslims, christians, hindis, or jews... But everyone. Sharia would create a "separate, but equal" society where technically non-muslims would have equal rights only in theory, but certainly not in practice. I certainly doubt there would be many non-muslims "invited" into government under such a system. Religion is something that is best left to the marketplace of ideals and not politicized. If folks want to be Muslim or Christian, let the evangelists operate under a secular political system that places sufficient constraints on their battle for spiritual hearts and minds. (Btw, I consider myself christian, but I'm also a pragmatist.. :) I'm just concerned that Al-Qaida has infiltrated the Pakistani army in a fashion similar to what occurred under Sadat. Thus, knowing this Mush has little incentive to press the battle for governmental control over Paki society and these areas controlled by the warlords, while having every incentive to maintain the status quo in order to obtain more US foreign aid. But you make a good point about lost business (I trust your stats). It certainly seems to me that Mush will need to force a policy change where ALL Paki children, including those under warlord control must attend public schools. Only through such a program where children are "socialized" in an evironment of tolerance will Mush lay the groundwork for undercutting the Madrassas system. That's a vital long-term approach. Failing that, Pakistan might want to consider just relinquishing all control over those territories (and all financial and economic assistance). Let the warlords run their own "countries" and stop "milking" the Pakistanis government. Close their borders and embargo their products. That might just suffice to create a bit more cooperation. Play hardball and threaten to leave them to their own devices if they are unwilling to summit to Mush's policies. I really don't know where they would go from there. Obviously this would be more difficult to do in Kashmir, but see no reason not to leave the Pushtuns to their own devices. Just putting some ideas forth out there. But I must admit some level of ignorance regarding the societal and economic politics of Pakistan. My best to you as well. Hawk

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (43251)	9/7/2002 6:08:52 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

The Nation reports..Gen. Musharraf and his wife are staying with their son in Boston where the US Secret Service has made stringent security arrangements. Last year in a similar situation, the Pakistan Embassy in Washington had apologised to the residents of the area for great inconvenience caused to them by tight security arrangements for the President. This time the Embassy has individually approached the residents ahead of the arrival to express regrets for whatever dislocation the residents may experience during the visit.