Musharraf Suspends Pakistan's Constitution

State Of Emergency Declared, Chief Justice Replaced And Communications Cut In Capital

(CBS/AP) 

"Extremists are openly roaming," he said "And no one knows whether any of the these freed men were behind recent bomb attacks."

Bhutto, a longtime rival of Musharraf who recently returned from eight years of exile, flew back to Pakistan from Dubai where she was visiting family. She left the airport under police escort and about 100 police and paramilitary troops were deployed outside her house, apparently as a protective cordon, witnesses said. A bomb disposal squad also searched the house before she arrived.

After her arrival at Karachi's Airport, Bhutto said she did not believe there would be fair elections as long as emergency rule remained in place.

"Unless General Musharraf reverses the course it will be very difficult to have fair elections," she told Sky News television by telephone. "I agree with him that we are facing a political crisis, but I believe the problem is dictatorship, I don't believe the solution is dictatorship.

"The extremists need a dictatorship, and dictatorship needs extremists."

The government halted all television transmissions in major cities other than state-controlled Pakistan TV. Telephone service in the capital, Islamabad, was cut.

Musharraf said some independent TV channels had contributed to the uncertainty in the country.

In justification, the emergency order obtained by The Associated Press said "the constitution provides no solution for this situation, there is no way out except through emergent and extraordinary measures," it said.

Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup and has been a close ally of the United States since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, has struggled to contain spreading Islamic militancy that has centered along the Afghan border and spread to the capital and beyond. Hundreds have died in recent weeks.

Pakistanis have increasingly turned against the government of Musharraf, who failed earlier this year to oust Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry - the chief justice replaced Saturday.

It was not clear whether U.S. officials had advance knowledge of Saturday's action.

Rice said that to her knowledge, U.S. officials had yet to hear directly from Musharraf after his declaration. She said she last spoke with Musharraf a couple days ago but that other U.S. officials had made the American position clear to him more recently.

Rice would not detail the conversations, but did say the U.S. told Pakistani leaders that "even if something happens, that we would expect the democratic election to take place because Pakistan has got to return to a constitutional order as soon as possible, and Pakistanis have to have a prospect of free and fair elections."

Crucial parliamentary elections meant to restore civilian rule are due by January. Musharraf himself was overwhelmingly re-elected last month by the current parliament, dominated by his ruling party, but the vote was challenged.

The Supreme Court has emerged this year as the main check on Musharraf's dominance and is due to issue a verdict on whether he could run for president while still serving as army chief before his current term expires Nov. 15.

[greco99-2009]

Diehardrepub wrote: "Ya ready for my iron fist, fella? Ya know, ya don''''''''t truly know what ya have till ya lose it. Let this be the final lesson"

and darkmeat4 wrote:
"Everytime a libtard opens their mouth it is either to insert a p e n i s or a foot, or because lies come out.

HillaryClintonisawhore.com "
---------------

The posts above make clear the current republican mood, rhetoric and tactics.

The vast majority of good Americans should be aware that this strain of republicanism, which has has reared its ugly head, is anti-American and anti-Christian in every way. It is one reason that people of faith are bolting from the republican party. You guys sound like Larry Craig and Ann Colture at the same time. Worse even.

At least have some respect for yourselves and stop posting these pathetic ravings.

[greco99-2009]

Diehardrepub wrote: "Ya ready for my iron fist, fella? Ya know, ya don''''t truly know what ya have till ya lose it. Let this be the final lesson"

and darkmeat4 wrote:
"Everytime a libtard opens their mouth it is either to insert a p e n i s or a foot, or because lies come out.

HillaryClintonisawhore.com "


---------------

The posts above make clear the current republican mood, rhetoric and tactics.

The vast majority of good Americans should be aware that this strain of republicanism, which has has reared its ugly head, is anti-American and anti-Christian in every way. It is one reason that people of faith are boltign frmo teh republican party. You guys sound like Larry Craig and Ann Colture at the same time. Worse even.

At least have some respect for yourselves and stop posting these pathetic ravings.

[greco99-2009]

Diehardrepub - clearly you feel comfortable conveying what you think is the republican message.

Are you sure your comments below are helping your party?

[diehardrepub]

The only racism in this country fella is the fact that you gotta polish yer chrome wheels, and yer too lazy to.

[greco99-2009]

The pseudo-term ''Islamofacist'' is from the same coin as N*gger, and should be treated as such.

[greco99-2009]

It''s funny -- republicans use the term ''islamofacism'' which is a complete oxymoron that tries to equate muslims and nazis -- two fundamentally incompatible concepts.

Facism is a form of authoritarianism, and although most religions have authoritarian elements -- that''s where any similarities end. For example, nazism and facism have a racist element. And, of course, Islam is practiced by all races and internally is non-racist (even anti-racist).

Peple often use the term ''facist'' to describe governments that do terrible things, like collective punishment, genocide or torture, or use xenophibia and racism for political gain.

As a political doctrine, facism (in, say, 20th century Germany or Spain) has many other elements, such as nationalism and collectivism.

Really, the ''islamofacists'' should refer to those who promote facist policies based on the *fear of muslims*. Justifying draconian measures such as torture based on a inchoate fear of Muslims -- now that is ''Islamofacism''.

There is also Goodwin''s law: "as net discussions grow, the probably of someone calling another a nazi aproaches 100%" -- and, the corallary "a person who calls an opponant ''hitler'' loses".

All caps on the net typically indicates either shouting or the medication is wearing off...and, ''ISLAMOFACIST'' is most frequently written in all caps.

Next the republicans will combine other enemies with the islamo- prefix (e.g.the ''islamohomo agenda'' -- perpetuated by hitlery, of course).

[diehardrepub]

Or better yet, to my azzz..

[missingamerica]

Your aggressiveness, phrasing, and personal attacks lead me to form a hypothesis, diehardrepub:

You''re toasted.

[nothappyatall]

What do you want to bet BUSH uses this same tactic before his term is over, all in the guise of fighting terrorism.

[diehardrepub]

Don''t expect anything from me other than knee-jerk fella. I got no desire to impress you..

[missingamerica]

Sigh - if only the religious right weren''t so utterly lazy and wrapped up in getting more material things, they could do as the Amish do and run their own schools, empowering themselves to educate their children in the manner they saw fit.

If only.

[diehardrepub]

Who was the doofus who said free representation was teaching the public? Huh? Who was the self-righteous holier than thou son of a byytch who turned journalism into a justice''s lessons? Huh? Thats not representation all the same. Thats a lunatic religious media mogle..

I''m over 50 years old! I''m done learning, fella. If you wanna be a teacher and open our minds, best do it thru surgery.

[ubrew12]

9-11 was the second attempt to blow up the world trade center, both were led by Egyptians furious at American support of Hosni Mubarak, the dictator of Egypt. Al-Qaida''s 2nd in charge is also Egyptian, with the same beef against America.

If we support Musharaff against the Pakistani''s, this could literally blow up in our face. There''s just no defensible reason for the worlds ''foremost exponent of democracy'' to be backing so many dictators in the Middle East. It hatches the very terrorist vermin we''re otherwise trying to exterminate.

[diehardrepub]

What the religious right do is nothing compared to what the religious liberal left do. Telling us to be "open minded". Teaching people outa school. Thats not representation all the same.. Thats a self-anointed self-appointed sexxxx teacher.

[missingamerica]

Why is it that 95% or more of the right-wing posters only manage to convey how inadequate they are for leadership positions?

[cburn665]

Yeah, and they''''ll microwave your ***. This is a different world we live in, just wait until we''''re debating on whether or not the government has the right to scan your thoughts and memories...
and we lose. Just chipping away at that freedom, "I''''ve got nothing to hide", give a little, give a little, give a little, "but if it keeps us safe". We all know where it''''s going, it''''s human nature. CONTROL ALL!!!

Lochlan, I am not sure if you are just being cynical or you are really one of those people who don''t mind the government encroaching on our freedoms as long it keeps us safe.

Yeah, that ranks up there somewhere with this administration''s justification of invading Iraq for our safety.

You''re right, this is a different world, a different United States full of people with little personal convictions that would benefit the populace. And, hence no spirit of those people who vigorously protested in that harbor EXIST today.

[roger_inkart]

Hohohohohohoho.. I''d like to get some liberals over at gitmo. Hoohoho man.

Posted by diehardrepub at 10:08 AM : Nov 04, 2007

Wow, are you really this starved for attention? Why don''t you just go downstairs and see what your parents are doing?

[diehardrepub]

Yer no means yes, ya know.

[roger_inkart]

People imprisoned without charge? The nation''s Constitution ignored? Who does Musharraf think he is? George W. Bush?

[jumkey]

diehardrepub: No really? You''re a fascist, anti-American AND a criminal thug?

Who would have though?. I mean, except everyone who''s ever met a conservative Republican that is.

I''m sorry you''re not happy in our Republic. However after the next election, when we liberals control the entire US Government and military I WON''T send you to Guantanamo. We''re not animals. But I could see exiling you to somewhere else where you might fit in better, say Pakistan or Myanmar. Maybe Russia.

Anyway, enjoy your last year in American and keep your chin up! I hear the weather in that part of the world is lovely after the January elections.