Democracy, Anti-American Style

Oh good lord...

President Bush yesterday offered his strongest support of embattled Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, saying the general "hasn't crossed the line" and "truly is somebody who believes in democracy."

Bush spoke nearly three weeks after Musharraf declared emergency rule, sacked members of the Supreme Court and began a roundup of journalists, lawyers and human rights activists. Musharraf's government yesterday released about 3,000 political prisoners, although 2,000 remain in custody, according to the Interior Ministry.

Humorously, Joe Biden makes fun of Bush for having the worst. judgement. ever.

"What exactly would it take for the president to conclude Musharraf has crossed the line? Suspend the constitution? Impose emergency law? Beat and jail his political opponents and human rights activists?" asked Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a presidential candidate. "He's already done all that. If the president sees Musharraf as a democrat, he must be wearing the same glasses he had on when he looked in Vladimir Putin's soul."

And what is the big victory we've achieved if Musharraf "takes off his uniform"? Are we to believe he won't still control the military if he calls himself President instead of General? Maybe I'm missing something here.

I think BushCo needs to rethink whatever it is they think that Musharraf is bringing to the table in the long term. Our deals with devil never go well for us in the end... the so-called "friends" on our payroll have a tendency to walk away as soon as they get a better offer.