On Benazir

I spent this morning perusing newseum.org wonderful newspaper front covers. I expected an exhaustive review of yesterdays ending to the Muslim world's first woman leader, and there they were prominently displayed on over 200 US and world papers. Most portrayed the former PM in a positive, even glorious light - highlighting her portrayal of Pakistan's last hope for stability, democracy, and future development. Sadly as one examines the truths behind these editorial creations, its abundantly evident Benazir was in fact the antithesis of all those traits. I ask myself how truly sad it is for Pakistan to hold this person in such a magnanimous light - someone who is known to have harpooned hundreds of millions of her people's funds to promote her marquis lifestyle. After two failed tenures in the lead of Pakistan politics, she still could not stay away from the hold of power, which led to her inevitable and greatly unavoidable demise. By my count, 160 of her supporters were sacrificed for Benazir's selfishness during the two assassination attempts. So what now...who is left to take the reigns of democracy in Pakistan? Are we still faced with another PM whose resume matches Benazir's in exploitation and perfidy to the country, the resoundingly noxious Nawaz Sharif, the religiously conservative candidate. What a shoddy state of affairs we find ourselves in - not having a single person of acclaim or well-repute to vie for leadership. It seems we must pray for Musharraf to attain acceptance from the masses. If he falls, the world's papers will conclude their titles of him in adversary prose. How neat it comes together then.

The New York Post columnist notates Benazir's true legacy. THE BHUTTO ASSASSINATION: NOT WHAT SHE SEEMED TO BE

The day of commemoration

Walking through the streets of downtown, I was amazed at the lack of attention Patriot Day merited from the massive throng of people going about their daily rituals. Wasn't it not that long ago everywhere you looked there were remnants of the US Flag dangling from people's vehicles, homes, and clothing? How did we reach this level of apathy after what seemed like a watershed transformation of how we in the US viewed the world. I spoke with a compatriot of mine who, given his still attached Bush sticker on his car, was even unaware of the date, until I mentioned it to him. So it is now six years on that the effects of the "operation of the century" have evaporated, along with the stranglehold the Bush administration enjoyed due to the event. Well I for one will mark this date continuously going forward, as it has led the world down a path of events that, unforeseen back then, have and will shape the direction of our future horizon, daily goings-on notwithstanding apparently.

In defense of Kobe Bean Bryant

The one and only season I had the league pass, 2000-2001, I had the opportunity to watch the Lakers play on a regular basis. I can attest from watching those games that Bryant was absolutely pivotal in LA's success, not to mention being the most spectacular player I've seen on a game-to-game basis. That was the year I came to respect Bryant's game tremendously. I though Vince Carter was the greatest dunker in the game, but in every game, Bryant matched Carter with amazing dunks. Think about this, that season Bryant was just 22 years old, the same age as James this season. I believe Bryant is vastly under-appreciated by most NBA fans. We are somewhat blinded by what he does or says outside the lines, and coupled with the fact he plays for the hated Purple and Gold, it results in a huge set of detractors. I think he's in his prime playing wise, and would love to see his extraordinary career continue to flourish in an environment where he's able to play in June. Here's hoping whatever team he's on can surround him with the kind of players to give the league another juggernaut, which we sorely need now, all due respect to the champion Spurs.