The author of this site seeks to inform readers of news nationally and within the Medway Council area - by keeping an eye on local and national party sites and supporter blogs. However, readers should be aware that news is provided from the ideological perspective of the blog author.
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"I aim to change the world, one act of random kindness at a time.
"I aim to serve my Country and all its people in all I do.
"I aim to promote Conservative and Christian values.
"I aim to champion freedom of speech in Britain and abroad.
"I aim to be myself."
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32 (NIV)
Forgive me, this isn’t exactly news, but it is vitally important nonetheless.
In November 2007, David Frost interviewed Benazir Bhutto for his Al Jazeera TV program “Frost Over The World”.
During the interview (extract below), Ms Bhutto talks about a man who had dealings with Omar Sheikh, “the man who murdered Osama Bin Laden“.
The statement went unchallenged, with many believing this was because, in the Arab world facing no Western censorship, this was a known and accepted fact.
That may or may not be true, however the BBC showed the interview on their website, censoring just the sentence in which Ms Bhutto says that Osama Bin Laden was murdered.
I had just finished watching the Spooks DVD I had been given for Christmas - the Series 5 episode in which Christian extremists declare war on Islam (a blatant propaganda tool by the BBC, in which they attempt throughout the series to “dumb down” Islamic militancy by virtue of the fact that, in all ten episodes, even when it looks like Islamists are behind the troubles, it turns out to be someone else, usually Israel).
The problem was, when I turned off the DVD player, the TV automatically showed BBC News 24, and I felt a lump in my throat as the dangers of the state-controlled liberal propaganda machine denying the real threat to the gullible audience who believe them to be a constantly credible source played out before my eyes. My heart almost stopped.
They had finally got Ms Benazir Bhutto, the great hope for democracy in Pakistan.
Instantly I rushed to the computer to start blogging. But I came across a problem: how do I put into words all the jumbled-up thoughts running around my mind. So I did the only thing I could do: I reported the facts as laid out and promised personal commentary later. And here (slightly later than I was anticipating for various reasons) it is.
For me, the assassination was a tragic shock. In my mind, no-one in Pakistan resonated louder the needs and wants of the Pakistani people, and with beliefs including “democracy is the best revenge“, was their Country’s best hopes for securing free and fair elections.
Bilawal Zardari, the son of recently-murdered Chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party Benazir Bhutto, has been named as his mother’s successor as Chairperson.
Bilawal, who has been renamed Bilawal Bhutto Zardari so as to continue to Bhutto dynasty, is currently studying Law at Oxford University, and so will be head in name only until he has completed his studies. His father, Asif Ali Zardari, will run the party until his return.
The 19 year-old said: “my mother always said democracy is the best revenge”, although he is too young to stand for Parliament, as his father called on the incumbent government to ensure the elections still went ahead as planned on January 8.
I will return to British political commentary in the New Year
The Bishop of Rochester has spoken of the “commitment and courage” of Benazir Bhutto following her cruel assassination on Thursday, according to the BBC.
The Right Reverend Michael Nazir-Ali, who was born in Pakistan, “was part of an audience in Kent which welcomed a visit from Ms Bhutto at the end of August.” He said in a statement: “Benazir Bhutto has been a personal friend for many years. Her murder is a body blow for freedom and democracy in Pakistan.”
The article continued: “Ms Bhutto was invited to Rochester in August by a former adviser, Rehman Chisti, now a Medway councillor and the Tories’ parliamentary candidate for Gillingham and Rainham. At the event held by the local Conservative constituency association, she addressed members of all parts of the Medway community while also speaking of her “great admiration” for Mr Nazir-Ali. She spoke of free and democratic societies being a “very precious gift”. One of her comments was: “I believe that democracy is the best way to undermine terrorism.”
Mr Nazir-Ali continued: “I do hope the elections can still be held and that the cause of democracy can survive this catastrophe. My prayers are for her husband, children and family - that they will be comforted at this time of grief. She will always be remembered for her commitment to Pakistan and her courage in public life.”
I am currently in the process of creating a transcript of the segment of Ms Bhutto’s speech which I have on film
“It is with great sadness that we pay this tribute to the life and work of Benazir Bhutto, who was cruelly assassinated on 27th December 2007.
“Ms Bhutto was our guest at a dinner on 26th August 2007. In her address, she spoke with dignity and clarity of her hopes of restoring democracy to the people of Pakistan and her aspirations for her country and her people.
“She was fully aware of the dangers she was facing on her return to Pakistan, but believed that her mission was of such importance that these must be faced. She was determined to clear her name of the allegations of corruption in a court of law and then lead her people towards their rightful place in the world.
“Ms Bhutto’s death is a tragedy for her family and friends, but is also a severe blow for her country and the people she loved and wished to serve.
