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Musharraf lifts Emergency, Administration wants to bend the law (again), Abstinence-only education fails, Progress in Climate Talks, Midwest weather |
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In what amounts to a grand gesture, after six weeks, President Pervez Musharraf lifted emergency rule and restored the Constitution today in Pakistan. Fulfilling his pledge to lift the emergency before December 16th, Musharraf completed one of the primary requests of the international community and his political opponents. Along the way, however, Musharraf issued six constitutional amendmentsâ€â€primarily regarding the legitimacy of his re-election as president and dissolution of the Supreme Court (which was critical of his leadership)â€â€begging the question: If you alter the Constitution in your favor, does its restoration have any meaning?
The Bush administration continues to erode civil liberties, pushing harder than ever for retroactive immunity for “companies cooperating with counterterrorism operations.” The NSA’s relationship with telecommunication companies may be tighter than ever, according to The New York Times but I still don’t understand why that means immunity should be granted for those who broke (are breaking?) the law. No probable cause = no warrant = no wiretapping. What makes the equation so difficult to understand?
In what appears to be a minor moment of triumph for concerned environmentalists, the U.S. has agreed to negotiate a climate agreement before 2009. This agreement is but a small concession in the grand scheme of things, as many hoped the last two weeks’ talks in Bali would’ve led to an agreement (rather than an agreement to negotiate an agreement).
Federally-funded abstinence-only education is ineffective, and at least 14 states have told the government they won’t be applying for the unwanted funds. As a spokesman of the Sexuality Information and Education Council says, “We hope that it sends a message to the politicians in Washington that this program needs to change, and states need to be able to craft a program that is the best fit for their young people and that is not a dictated by Washington ideologues.” As hard as the Bush administration may try, faith does not trump science (especially not in the minds of hormonally-driven teenagers).
Seriously? I suppose every generation has its own reasons for saying “When I was your age…”
In response to a question about his recent efforts to clamp down on the media, President Musharraf responded, “Am I a madman?…Am I a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?” Is media coverage in Pakistan tied to President Musharraf’s mental well-being…or are his overtures toward easing media restrictions another example of democratic posturing? Either way, to answer your question, Mr. Musharraf, no, the only personality we see is the one that will do anything to keep you in power for as long as possible.
And on a somewhat lighter note, winter has arrived throughout the Midwest.
This is an open thread. Post your thoughts in the comments section.
What are your thoughts on Musharraf? What exactly did he alter in the Constitution? As far as I understand it, it was just to allow him to run again. Now, of course, this isn’t a minor detail, but it also isn’t terribly large. I’m curious as to your analysis, especially with respect to the upcoming elections.
In response to your questions, Jason, I don’t know all of the alterations, and I know Musharraf isn’t the only leader to have corrupted the original “spirit” of the law, but I know the amendments he made affected the clauses that made it illegal for former military personnel from holding civilian positions within two years of their resignation from the military and made his dismissal of the Supreme Court permanent.
It’s difficult to say how the constitutional manipulation will affect the elections since there are already questions about the freedom and fairness of the up-coming elections. I chalk it up to another example of Musharraf’s unprincipled activities to keep himself in power.