Jen,
Yes it is amazing that there is such solidarity, brothership in the USA right now and the rest of the world touched by it. We receive CNN, MSNBC in addition to BBC 24, SKY news, ITN,and French,Asian and EURONEWS on our satelite receivers- some we can subsrcibe to others free.
We have all been watching US stations and Uk news and they all show the same story- bravery of the fire fighters, police and heartbreaking interviews of the relatives of the murdered and last mobile phone messages of those killed.Some Uk stations have censored the more harrowing pictures.We are also being given live reports from Pakistan,Kabul and Middle East.Pakistan has always been a friend of the West and President Mushraef has promised that he will help in any way what so ever- even though he is an unelected leader and the country is governed by the army, the general public respect the army more so than civilan politicans of the past and present.The military overthrow that occured a few years was bloodless and wanted by the people who have enjoyed more years of peace under military rule than under democratically elected leaders who have all turned out to be corrupt and lined their own pockets at the expense of the poor.
Unfortunately no one recognized the military government when it came to power and the US and some European countries threatened to withdraw all aid and close down embassies unless elections were held. This is fair enough as there is no greater fear than that of the unknown.President Musharef's wife is very modern, westernized and his mother very forthright and a strong women- he is a modern man and not an Islamic fundementalist. However there are a small bunch of people that want to bring a Taliban type of government to Pakistan, these are lead by fanatics similar to the Taliban- this is the biggest fear that people in Pakistan- my extended family live overthere- have that secular violence and fanatics will break out so we need Mushraef to be strong he has to maintain harmony in the country and help the West which is what he is doing. In return it would be great if later people helped Pakistan to solve the Kashmir problem with India without violence or that Pakistan received overseas investment in terms of companies opening up offices etc..like they have in India.
Ethnically Pakistan- formed from India over 52 years ago-is diverse(more than five different languages),alot of people are similar in language and culture to Afghans or indeed are Afghani and want peace. My fathers mother was from Kabul she was King Amanullahs second cousin, the entire royal family were hung-by the British and their agents- in the 1920s and she escaped to India- Pakistan was a part of India at this time and India was ruled by the British- with the Kings personal Army Captain/bodyguard who was originally from Dehli in India, who she later married- my grandfather.
The reason for this personal story is that my dad always wanted to go after he retired and seek out any remaining relations he might have had there. He is so sad-since the 1980s -that he will never be able to do this in his lifetime.
Anyway, its a global story people suffering and dying and so terrible than even now there are people on this planet that think to kill and cause suffering is the only way others will take notice of their cause.The world must change or the dark ages will return.
Yes, why don't terrosists just kill politicans instead of innocent people- why do they not stick to killing Israeli politicans(i hasten to add i don't approve of any type of killing)instead of innocents- i think they know that WTC would be major headline news the world over.It is also ironic that the only Israeli Prime Minister that was killed-in 1995- was by a Jewish fanatic. Also Ironic is that Jewish and Muslims races are both decended from the prophet Abraham and have far more in common with each other than Christians - who are also people of the book.
I just don't get it.It isn't religion but politics, greed and blood revenge.I wonder what God thinks of all of this??!
PS sorry my spelling is so bad- i use to suffer from Dylexsia.
Regards
Sam
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