Give Pakistan a Break!

Facts:
Pakistan did NOT create Osama Bin Laden. CIA did.
As for Osama and other Al-Qaeda operatives found in Pakistan: Well, most of the 9/11 hijackers got their training right here in the US of A.  Heck, INS even issued a visa to Mohammed Atta AFTER 9/11!  Pakistan's border with Afghanistan is porous and it is easy for people to cross it and once they are in Pakistan, they can get on a bus or a train and just about go anywhere inside Pakistan.  And if you have some connections and money for bribe, then even Osama can hide anywhere in Pakistan.

So, please get off the Pakistan case, will ya?

First "Droned", then Drowned! Who Shall Help the Flood Victims in Pakistan?

While the scope of the destruction caused by the floods in Pakistan is heart-wrenching, the relief efforts are even more frustrating.  The way the worst crisis in Pakistan was handled by the government, especially, our President, Mr. Zardari, you'd know that they are simply not competent to deal with the scale of the disaster.

I am afraid our leaders are politicizing this disaster and some are probably even drooling over the prospects of more riches as international aid arrives in a country where the corruption runs deeper than the rising water of the worst flood in its history.

Today, Mr. Zardari vowed to take the country out of this grave challenge, adding: “I know the losses suffered by growers because I am also a farmer.”

Just for the record, Mr. Zardari is NOT a farmer.  He is a wadera - a landlord who collects whatever the farmers harvest! While the real farmers are the ones who have lost their homes as well as their livelihoods, waderas like Mr. Zardari will resume their earnings the next season after the water recedes.  Historically, the waderas' job was simply to collect taxes from farmers on behalf of the government, a remnant of the colonial era.

And where is the international community?  It seems that we have become desensitized to natural disasters that have swept across the globe in recent times.

“This has been a heart-wrenching day for me,” UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, said after visiting the flood-hit areas in Punjab with President Asif Ali Zardari.

“I will never forget the destruction and suffering I have witnessed today. In the past I have witnessed many natural disasters around the world, but nothing like this.”

The world body has appealed for an initial $460 million to provide relief, but only 20 per cent has so far been promised.

The people of Pakistan have found themselves between rock and a hard place following the Afghanistan war  - with all the deadly drone attacks.  But what is ironic is that one of the first organizations to have pledged meals for the displaced victims is Jamaat-ud-Dawa - an organization that features on the UN terrorism blacklist.

When the international community is slow to respond to a calamity that is more devastating than the 2004 tsunami, the victims have every right to feel betrayed by both the government and the international community at large.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/un+chief+pledges+to+speed+up+pakistan+aid

FIFA

FIFA
Is
Feverishly
Awaited

I guess no total is Un-Hussey-lable!

Well played Pakistan! You gave it all you got. Considering the fact that Pakistani players were snubbed by IPL and champions league, and had little exposure other than the drubbing they got during the Australian summer down under, they played like the champions that they are.

They have been marginalized by the world. And they came roaring back and almost brought the world to its knees. The reporters and commentators had indigestion for 39 overs today, as they spent all that time eating their own words.

Pakistan missed Umar Gul's reverse-swinging yorkers that were the hallmark of Pakistan's bowling in late overs last year. Nevertheless, we are proud of their effort today and the courage they showed despite everyone (including us fans) writing them off. They peaked at the right time and almost pulled off a repeat of their giant killing performance that took them past South Africa in last year's T20 World Cup semifinal.

The fearsome twosome who can help Pakistan beat Australia in the Semifinal.

Fri May 14
15:30 GMT | 11:30 local
11:30 EDT | 10:30 CDT | 08:30 PDT 2nd Semi-Final - Australia v Pakistan
Beausejour Stadium, Gros Islet, St Lucia
26 - 30°C Forecast Showers

Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis.

More famously known by their last names in Duckworth/Lewis.

And even more famously known by their combined lastname initials "D/L" or Dreadful Loss Method. Formally known as Duckworth/Lewis Method. It has helped beat the hitherto formidable England. And even overcome the luck of the Irish.

With showers forecast, D/L Method migt be another clause that you may want to add to your prayers.

Another Financial Meltdown?

So sad on the financial power-house collapse.

India on the brink at the T20 World Cup. Thanks to all the IPL franchises for snubbing the best players in the world during the auction earlier this year, hiring old farts frm down under for gazillions and marginalizing the whole sub-continent.

Gul, Afridi and Sohail Tanwir (purple hat holder in IPL 1 who helped Rajhastan win) were all left out in sheer arrogance. How could Afridi reproduce the 2009 magic If he can't play in IPL and champions league and keep sharp?

Meanwhile IPL and the champions league have produced absolutely nothing for India and in the process screwed thy neighbor!

Can You tell me how to get... how to get through Wall Street?

Brought to you by the letter "M" and the letter "B".

M is for "Mojo" and B is for "Bailout":

Wall Street seems to have lost its Mojo, when a trader entered "b" for billion instead of an "m" for million.

That sent the stock market into a frenzy.

Are you serious?!!