In today's Parade magazine, there's a section labeled 'Dictator Watch' which is a feature article about - Iran's elected president Ahmadinejad. How ironic! As has been pointed out here and in other places, Iran's president has less power in that country than their Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Dictator? Not even close.
Now, if they wanted to feature Musharraf, who became president of Pakistan after a military coup which overthrew the elected prime minister, that would make sense. And even more so now that he declared martial law yesterday. So - editors of Parade magazine - I've found a dictator for you to watch! Helloo! Earth to Parade Magazine!
And let's talk about nukyoolar weapons, shall we? The ones Chimpy is so concerned about. In this corner we have Pakistan, nuclear bombs at the ready, ruled by a military dictatorship which is protecting the terrorist group which flew planes into the World Trade Center. Chimpy has cozied up to Musharraf, the dictator of Pakistan and terrorist-abettor. In that corner we have Iran, working on setting up nuclear power stations which aren't functioning yet, with an elected government. Putin has cozied up to Ahmadinejad, the elected leader of Iran.
I feel some confidence that Russia and the IAEA can monitor nuclear development in Iran. Russian technicians were on site assisting Iran. I have zero confidence that anyone, especially Chimpy, will have any influence whatsoever in controlling the use of nuclear weapons by Pakistan. Maybe could we send the frikkin' state department diplomats to Pakistan where they might do some good, instead of sending them to Iraq to hide in the 'green zone' until they come home missing a limb or in a body bag.
Update:
Tom Toles' editorial cartoon today sums up the point of this diary.