Musharraf Suspends Pakistan's Constitution

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

(CBS/AP) 

Analysts said Musharraf was on shaky legal ground in his re-election by lawmakers last month - a vote that was boycotted by most of the opposition - but they still expected the court to rule in his favor to prevent further destabilizing Pakistan.

However in recent days, some judges had made comments that they would not be swayed by threats from senior officials that an emergency might be declared if the court ruled against the general.

The seven Supreme Court judges rejected the declaration of emergency and ordered top officials, including the prime minister, and military officers not to comply with it. The two-page ruling said there were no grounds for an emergency "particularly for the reasons being published in the newspapers that a high profile case is pending and is not likely to be decided in favor of the government."

At least seven trucks brought armed police and paramilitary ranger troops to Constitution Avenue that passes in front of the court, Parliament and the official residences of the president and prime minister.

Paramilitary troops behind rolled barbed wire blocked access to an official compound housing lawmakers - barring even wives, children and even a ruling party senator from entering.

Bhutto, seen by many supporters as key to a possible return to democracy, went to Dubai after being targeted by assassins in Pakistan last month. Suicide bombers attacked her homecoming parade after eight years in exile, killing more than 140 people.

Musharraf's order allows courts to function but suspends some fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution, including freedom of speech. It also allows authorities to detain people without informing them of the charges.

The emergency was expected to be followed by arrests of lawyers and other perceived opponents of the government, including civil society activists and possibly even members of the judiciary itself, a ruling party lawmaker said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

By early Sunday, cell phone service appeared to have been restored, but landlines were still dead. Transmissions by TV networks remained off the air in major cities other than state-controlled Pakistan TV.

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

He also issued two ordinances toughening media laws, including a ban on live television broadcasts of "incidents of violence and conflict." Also, TV operators who "ridicule" the president, armed forces, or executive, legislative or judicial organs of the state can be punished with three years in jail.

Nawaz Sharif, a former prime minister who was deported in September as he tried to return from exile, condemned the emergency and said Musharraf should resign. He urged Pakistanis to rise against Musharraf.

[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.