Suicide Attack
January 10, 2008 2:45 AM Subscribe
This post was deleted for the following reason: It's pretty terrible that this happened, but we seem to be getting an uptick of People Died posts lately and you didn't really provide any context here. Not the best way to do this. -- cortex
Hey, hadjiboy? You're doing it wrong.
posted by loquacious at 2:51 AM on January 10, 2008
posted by loquacious at 2:51 AM on January 10, 2008
Hahaha, Pakistan is in Asia, moron!
posted by hadjiboy at 2:52 AM on January 10, 2008 [5 favorites]
posted by hadjiboy at 2:52 AM on January 10, 2008 [5 favorites]
Who on Earth would think that "22 police killed in Pakistan suicide bombing: officers" is a sensible headline? Now instead of thinking suicide bombing is bad I am just thinking that AFP are fools.
posted by ninebelow at 2:54 AM on January 10, 2008
posted by ninebelow at 2:54 AM on January 10, 2008
Speaking of Pakistani terrorism, somebody's blogpost of "The 10 Creepiest Old Ads" included a 1970's ad for Pakistan International Airlines. (I miss the image tag)
posted by wendell at 3:00 AM on January 10, 2008 [9 favorites]
posted by wendell at 3:00 AM on January 10, 2008 [9 favorites]
They should never have partitioned the place. This is what Pakistan is all about, and all it will ever be about. Excellent job, Mr. Jinnah.
posted by Meatbomb at 3:05 AM on January 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by Meatbomb at 3:05 AM on January 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
This is gruesome news.
Wendell, for the advert to be truly creepy it would have to say, "New York 0745 hrs" and have the silhouette of a Boeing 757, rather than a B-747.
posted by Azaadistani at 3:32 AM on January 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
Wendell, for the advert to be truly creepy it would have to say, "New York 0745 hrs" and have the silhouette of a Boeing 757, rather than a B-747.
posted by Azaadistani at 3:32 AM on January 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
And what exactly is the point of a one-line, one-link post to an article about (yet another horrible) suicide bombing in the mideast?
Nothing to see here, folks. It's only more brown people dying. No civilians involved.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 3:32 AM on January 10, 2008
Nothing to see here, folks. It's only more brown people dying. No civilians involved.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 3:32 AM on January 10, 2008
Correction: I meant 0845 hrs.
posted by Azaadistani at 3:36 AM on January 10, 2008
posted by Azaadistani at 3:36 AM on January 10, 2008
Nothing to see here, folks. It's only more brown people dying. No civilians involved.
But this is Metafilter. Shuldn't we cry big fat tears for the poor innocent horse that died in the bombing?
posted by uandt at 3:52 AM on January 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
But this is Metafilter. Shuldn't we cry big fat tears for the poor innocent horse that died in the bombing?
posted by uandt at 3:52 AM on January 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
It's a good thing they worked so hard to get the bomb. That should help them make quick work of the terrorists.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 3:54 AM on January 10, 2008
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 3:54 AM on January 10, 2008
I was quickly skimming through the article before stopping at this:
Terrible news. Scarier world. Sigh.
posted by the cydonian at 3:58 AM on January 10, 2008
"Today's bombing was to demoralise the Punjab police, but it will not. They have given their lives while performing their duty."Which, of course, gave me a strange sense of deja-vu, given the Punjab insurgency in 80's. It was only after I read the next line that I realized that this happened in Pakistan, not India.
Terrible news. Scarier world. Sigh.
posted by the cydonian at 3:58 AM on January 10, 2008
It was only after I read the next line that I realized that this happened in Pakistan, not India.
I heard it as Lathore at first and assumed it was here. Thought things couldn't get any worse before realizing that it had happened in Pakistan.
(Jeez that's a creepy ad, wendell)
posted by hadjiboy at 4:08 AM on January 10, 2008
I heard it as Lathore at first and assumed it was here. Thought things couldn't get any worse before realizing that it had happened in Pakistan.
(Jeez that's a creepy ad, wendell)
posted by hadjiboy at 4:08 AM on January 10, 2008
Why is this even news?
Perhaps if you gave us your definition of 'news,' we could discern your point.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:20 AM on January 10, 2008
Perhaps if you gave us your definition of 'news,' we could discern your point.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:20 AM on January 10, 2008
It's a bit strange that the story doesn't explain the circumstances until the eighth paragraph:
posted by Anything at 4:28 AM on January 10, 2008
The blast ripped through a busy square in front of the Lahore High Court as about 60 riot police gathered ahead of a protest by lawyers against the rule of President Pervez Musharraf.I wonder if the government will dare to spin this against the opposition.
posted by Anything at 4:28 AM on January 10, 2008
It's worrisome that there's so much unrest is happening in this nuclear state.
posted by rmmcclay at 4:31 AM on January 10, 2008
posted by rmmcclay at 4:31 AM on January 10, 2008
Wow. I guess that whole ball bearing thing in Swordfish was based on fact, then?
posted by deusdiabolus at 4:42 AM on January 10, 2008
posted by deusdiabolus at 4:42 AM on January 10, 2008
The PIA ad in wendell's link: I'm surprised this hasn't turned up til now. You'd think that thing would've been all over the place a long time ago. It's so eerie, so bizarrely and unitentionally prophetic, that it's just... I mean... damn!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:58 AM on January 10, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:58 AM on January 10, 2008
Hey item! First you express wishes to call some an ass but then you call my mom a horse?! I don't really mind but I think you should get your Equids straight here...
posted by uandt at 4:59 AM on January 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by uandt at 4:59 AM on January 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
Maybe he meant horse's ass.
posted by IronLizard at 5:04 AM on January 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by IronLizard at 5:04 AM on January 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
apparently, they're already looking for this indian national.
posted by gman at 5:07 AM on January 10, 2008
posted by gman at 5:07 AM on January 10, 2008
Why is this even news?
It's certainly news to the police officers who died. Well, very briefly, anyway. It remains news to their families.
But for the rest of us? They're not our tribe, so fuck 'em.
*eyeroll*
This is definitely news. It does not, however, belong on MeFi.
posted by Malor at 5:12 AM on January 10, 2008
It's certainly news to the police officers who died. Well, very briefly, anyway. It remains news to their families.
But for the rest of us? They're not our tribe, so fuck 'em.
*eyeroll*
This is definitely news. It does not, however, belong on MeFi.
posted by Malor at 5:12 AM on January 10, 2008
Wow. This thread went south so fast.
posted by Astro Zombie at 5:16 AM on January 10, 2008
posted by Astro Zombie at 5:16 AM on January 10, 2008
Security officials have blamed the suicide bombings on Baitullah Mehsud, a pro al-Qaeda militant leader spearheading fighting against government forces in the lawless Waziristan tribal region. He has also been accused of masterminding the attack on Ms Bhutto. The Government has released the names of several prominent figures believed still to be on the terrorist hit list, including Nawaz Sharif and a half a dozen leaders of other political parties.posted by hadjiboy at 5:19 AM on January 10, 2008
Musharraf's regime has never been less popular. His political party, the PML-Q is widely predicted to be wiped out in the upcoming elections, not least because of the sympathy vote the PPP will likely receive in the aftermath of its leader's assassination. However, Mush is not yet willing to give up power, which he will have to in the event that elections are held on February 18th and are free and fair. He and his henchmen, therefore, has two option:
1) Detonate enough bombs and kill enough leaders to create an environment sufficient to postpone the elections, and pin the blame of the conveniently increasing violence on 'Al-Qaeda', the 'Taleban' and 'Islamic extremists'; or
2) Conduct the elections on Feb. 16th, but massively rig the outcome in order to ensure a PML-Q victory.
It seems to me that Option 1 is what Mush will opt for: it fits in more nicely with his spurious claims that Al-Qaeda and/or the Taleban are responsible for Ms. Bhutto's assassination. Pakistan will seem increasingly dangerous and the world will be grateful that Musharraf is there as a strong man who can keep the country from totally disintegrating and the nukes from falling into the hands of Islamic extremists.
However, the assassination, this increased violence, all comes at a very convenient time for Musharraf .... when he cannot legitimately stay in power and has utterly lost the support of the people.
Today, the violence has already begun, and Option 1 is afoot. This is govt-sponsored terrorism. Why would Al-Qaeda or the Taleban be targetting an anti-Mush rally? Mush is supposed to be fighting against them and taking them on in the so-called War on Terror. If anything they would be targetting the present (Musharraf's) regime, not opposition leaders and the lawyers' movement.
Please do not fall for what Musharraf is counting on everyone to fall for: that these are religious extremists. Based on polls conducted before the Bhutto assassination, the religious political parties are only going to get about SIX percent of the vote (down from 10-12 percent in the last elections).
The lawyers' movement threatens Musharraf alone, not the extremists; Ms. Bhutto was the most immediate threat to his hold on power. He is the one who gains through these barbaric acts and he has demonstrated that he will go to any length to stay in power.
posted by Azaadistani at 5:20 AM on January 10, 2008
1) Detonate enough bombs and kill enough leaders to create an environment sufficient to postpone the elections, and pin the blame of the conveniently increasing violence on 'Al-Qaeda', the 'Taleban' and 'Islamic extremists'; or
2) Conduct the elections on Feb. 16th, but massively rig the outcome in order to ensure a PML-Q victory.
It seems to me that Option 1 is what Mush will opt for: it fits in more nicely with his spurious claims that Al-Qaeda and/or the Taleban are responsible for Ms. Bhutto's assassination. Pakistan will seem increasingly dangerous and the world will be grateful that Musharraf is there as a strong man who can keep the country from totally disintegrating and the nukes from falling into the hands of Islamic extremists.
However, the assassination, this increased violence, all comes at a very convenient time for Musharraf .... when he cannot legitimately stay in power and has utterly lost the support of the people.
Today, the violence has already begun, and Option 1 is afoot. This is govt-sponsored terrorism. Why would Al-Qaeda or the Taleban be targetting an anti-Mush rally? Mush is supposed to be fighting against them and taking them on in the so-called War on Terror. If anything they would be targetting the present (Musharraf's) regime, not opposition leaders and the lawyers' movement.
Please do not fall for what Musharraf is counting on everyone to fall for: that these are religious extremists. Based on polls conducted before the Bhutto assassination, the religious political parties are only going to get about SIX percent of the vote (down from 10-12 percent in the last elections).
The lawyers' movement threatens Musharraf alone, not the extremists; Ms. Bhutto was the most immediate threat to his hold on power. He is the one who gains through these barbaric acts and he has demonstrated that he will go to any length to stay in power.
posted by Azaadistani at 5:20 AM on January 10, 2008
hadjiboy,
It would have been better if you had provided some context to why this is important or stuck around to provide useful info to those questioning why this is important.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:22 AM on January 10, 2008
It would have been better if you had provided some context to why this is important or stuck around to provide useful info to those questioning why this is important.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:22 AM on January 10, 2008
"*have two options" ... too early in the morning for me to catch other grammatical errors ... sorry in advance.
posted by Azaadistani at 5:23 AM on January 10, 2008
posted by Azaadistani at 5:23 AM on January 10, 2008
This thread is, simultaneously to "Horrible, Bad NewsFilter," How far, how fast before getting closed?
So far we've got "Your mom's a horse." "And who cares? They're brown." So, where's brickman?
posted by From Bklyn at 5:24 AM on January 10, 2008
So far we've got "Your mom's a horse." "And who cares? They're brown." So, where's brickman?
posted by From Bklyn at 5:24 AM on January 10, 2008
Wow. This thread went south so fast.
My apologies for that.
This is definitely news. It does not, however, belong on MeFi.
Well, I don't know you know--I see stuff like what happened on the I-4 and I just think that this is equally newsworthy, if not more, because of the situation in this part of the world. I may be wrong, but it would be nice to get a clarification on that from Matt.
posted by hadjiboy at 5:25 AM on January 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
My apologies for that.
This is definitely news. It does not, however, belong on MeFi.
Well, I don't know you know--I see stuff like what happened on the I-4 and I just think that this is equally newsworthy, if not more, because of the situation in this part of the world. I may be wrong, but it would be nice to get a clarification on that from Matt.
posted by hadjiboy at 5:25 AM on January 10, 2008 [1 favorite]
hadjiboy,
It would have been better if you had provided some context to why this is important or stuck around to provide useful info to those questioning why this is important.
Well, I thought that the fact that a suicide bombing was taking place just two weeks after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, and so close to the election, would've been enough.
posted by hadjiboy at 5:30 AM on January 10, 2008
It would have been better if you had provided some context to why this is important or stuck around to provide useful info to those questioning why this is important.
Well, I thought that the fact that a suicide bombing was taking place just two weeks after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, and so close to the election, would've been enough.
posted by hadjiboy at 5:30 AM on January 10, 2008
I may be wrong, but it would be nice to get a clarification on that from Matt.
Have you tried sending him an email through Metafilter's email system?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 5:33 AM on January 10, 2008
Have you tried sending him an email through Metafilter's email system?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 5:33 AM on January 10, 2008
This thread belongs on MetaFilter, although it could have been set up a bit better. It seems to me that there are more than a few South Asians (as well as people that care about things that happen outside of the US) on MetaFilter. And Pakistan seems like a likely candidate for the next use of nuclear weapons, which will affect everyone on the planet, including MeFites who wonder why this post is even worthy of MetaFilter.
If you have to ask why this is even news, well, suicide bombings (and suicide bombings with ball fucking bearings) are a pretty new thing in Pakistan. They used to use radio-controlled bombs, until a technology was deployed to counter that threat. Now any shithead in salwars with a deathwish can influence global events.
posted by KokuRyu at 5:34 AM on January 10, 2008
If you have to ask why this is even news, well, suicide bombings (and suicide bombings with ball fucking bearings) are a pretty new thing in Pakistan. They used to use radio-controlled bombs, until a technology was deployed to counter that threat. Now any shithead in salwars with a deathwish can influence global events.
posted by KokuRyu at 5:34 AM on January 10, 2008
I see stuff like what happened on the I-4
That was a pretty poor thread too, since there had been other similar pile-ups in recent days and they weren't posted.
posted by smackfu at 5:37 AM on January 10, 2008
That was a pretty poor thread too, since there had been other similar pile-ups in recent days and they weren't posted.
posted by smackfu at 5:37 AM on January 10, 2008
hadjiboy,
Your link above, (the timeline (the other is recursive)) would have helped in the FPP. I think it is a relevant NewsFilter post, but you need to maybe do a little more hand-holding and setting up.
(Azaadistani's contextualizing helps.)
I mean, we are, after all, not talking about, like, Britney or, like, other, y'know, important stuff?, but like, really important stuff that, like, happens on the other side of the, like, world?
posted by From Bklyn at 5:39 AM on January 10, 2008
Your link above, (the timeline (the other is recursive)) would have helped in the FPP. I think it is a relevant NewsFilter post, but you need to maybe do a little more hand-holding and setting up.
(Azaadistani's contextualizing helps.)
I mean, we are, after all, not talking about, like, Britney or, like, other, y'know, important stuff?, but like, really important stuff that, like, happens on the other side of the, like, world?
posted by From Bklyn at 5:39 AM on January 10, 2008
Or, like, on, like, 'Pre-view', what, um, KokuRyu 'said.'
posted by From Bklyn at 5:41 AM on January 10, 2008
posted by From Bklyn at 5:41 AM on January 10, 2008
hadjiboy: Are you an Indian national? What is the view of the average citizen of India regarding Pakistan's current instability? Does it depend upon the ethnic/religious background of the Indian you ask?
posted by spock at 5:45 AM on January 10, 2008
posted by spock at 5:45 AM on January 10, 2008
I suppose it's suicide bombing overload that triggered my cynical comment. I mean, what the fuck, it won't end.
As long as people believe in the invisible man, and education and reason is shut out, massive chunks of the earth's population are so desperate that suicide and murder of n number of innocents is somehow a means to an end - well, I dunno.
I mean how fucking deluded must one be to actually think that blowing oneself up in a sea of people blowing themselves up will make one jot of difference.
That fucking clown POTUS is in Israel at the moment going through some fucking ridiculous charade in pretending that he of all people is able to affect a solution to the Mid East Crisis.
That's why I say "Is this even news".
posted by mattoxic at 6:04 AM on January 10, 2008
As long as people believe in the invisible man, and education and reason is shut out, massive chunks of the earth's population are so desperate that suicide and murder of n number of innocents is somehow a means to an end - well, I dunno.
I mean how fucking deluded must one be to actually think that blowing oneself up in a sea of people blowing themselves up will make one jot of difference.
That fucking clown POTUS is in Israel at the moment going through some fucking ridiculous charade in pretending that he of all people is able to affect a solution to the Mid East Crisis.
That's why I say "Is this even news".
posted by mattoxic at 6:04 AM on January 10, 2008
Police said the head of the suspected suicide bomber had been found about 100 metres (330 feet) from the blast site
*assumes position of referee signaling a field goal*
posted by chlorus at 6:06 AM on January 10, 2008
*assumes position of referee signaling a field goal*
posted by chlorus at 6:06 AM on January 10, 2008
If you have to ask why this is even news, well, suicide bombings (and suicide bombings with ball fucking bearings) are a pretty new thing in Pakistan.
Seriously, I'm an ignorant American on Pakistan, so a bit of background would have helped. The links that have come in later have been a good help, thank you.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:21 AM on January 10, 2008
Seriously, I'm an ignorant American on Pakistan, so a bit of background would have helped. The links that have come in later have been a good help, thank you.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:21 AM on January 10, 2008
This is such a sad waste. That bomber should have come to the US and fucked up a bunch of our cops.
posted by Mayor Curley at 6:23 AM on January 10, 2008
posted by Mayor Curley at 6:23 AM on January 10, 2008
Wow. This thread went south so fast.
As others have said, it would have gone a lot better with a little contextualization. As is, it's a mysterious quote, and when you click through you find out it's a suicide bombing in which 26 people were killed, and it's quite natural to think "There have been hundreds of suicide bombings in recent months, in many of them more than 26 people were killed, why is this postworthy?" Note: not "why is this news" or "why is this important," which would be stupid questions, but why should this be a post on MeFi (which is not, after all, a news aggregator)? I think hadjiboy has realized the need for context now, and his next post will probably go better.
posted by languagehat at 6:28 AM on January 10, 2008
As others have said, it would have gone a lot better with a little contextualization. As is, it's a mysterious quote, and when you click through you find out it's a suicide bombing in which 26 people were killed, and it's quite natural to think "There have been hundreds of suicide bombings in recent months, in many of them more than 26 people were killed, why is this postworthy?" Note: not "why is this news" or "why is this important," which would be stupid questions, but why should this be a post on MeFi (which is not, after all, a news aggregator)? I think hadjiboy has realized the need for context now, and his next post will probably go better.
posted by languagehat at 6:28 AM on January 10, 2008
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posted by scblackman at 2:49 AM on January 10, 2008