Even pillaging gets boring

The black stains on the street are not the oil spots nor tire tracks which belong; rather they are the charcoal
outline of the death of civility. While a majority of people chose not
to act in an animal like way, still others displayed a disappointing
behavior which even then only lasted hours. And yet again, a few
represent the masses for all the world to see and judge.

I learned of the assassination of Bhutto while sitting in Manchester awaiting my flight onward to Islamabad. I
saw the pictures of the violent emotions of people who could only think
to turn on their fellow man in response to a tragic act. Whilst I did
not care for Bhutto's politics, nor her behavior, I would never wish
her dead. I sat in disgust while the news reported how Rawalpindi
is the safest place in Pakistan (not the most dangerous, but DEFINITELY not the safest these days), and how this woman who had disgraced her people
multiple times was now being considered a hero for democracy over and
over again. Mostly, however, I wondered 'what the hell is going on' .
Several phone calls later a plan was put into place, and I was loading
up the car to head back to the airport to meet my connecting flight. As
I entered the double doors for international departures, it was obvious
the long winding que of Pakistanis were not afraid to go home......and neither was I.

The plane was not a-buzz with discussion over any fallen hero, conspiracy
theories, or a feeling of hopelessness. Mainly, these folks were just
hoping (as I) that they wouldn't get stranded in the airport, and they
would reach their homes and families/functions..which ever was taking them
over. Those I heard discussing the situation were more offended at the
local reaction in the streets and were curious what the situation on
the ground was really like, because truth be told no one really trusts
the news except for those you wish wouldn't (like frigtened family members).

Arrival was on time, and as expected. It was hardly noticeable
anything was going on outside the entry gate to the airport, as the
only distinction was a slight increase of military police and a smaller
number of passengers roaming around. All domestic travel had been
stopped, and virtually all public transportation was at a halt. And as
we left, I dug into my bad for my camera.....sadly, it was in the bag
in the drunk (what an idiot!).

For
two hours (almost to the second) we attempted to get to a relatives
house. They live merely 15 min away from the airport, however due to
blocked roads and make-shift bon fires we had to continually turn the car around and attempt a new route. It wasn't
as bad as it had been the day before. No one was pulling anyone out of
their vehicle and torching it....rather, a few ill-willed people would
take a few political banners, perhaps some scrap and
roast marshmallows along side the road while car after car turned around
and went another way. I could see patches of black smoke here, there,
another starting a few yards away. It was more obnoxious than anything
else. I noticed a bunker of about 6/7 army personnel sitting and watching the show as if they are just needing a cold drink and some popcorn. The
theory was to let these guys have at their "fun" so long as people were
not getting hurt. Nice job guys. Never making it into the city
residence, plan B was enacted and we went into Islamabad, where aside
from everything being closed and the streets being empty.....there was
no signal of chaos or trouble in the country.

Then
Sat came. Shops were opening up, even gas stations were slowly making
their way back to pumping fuel and cleaning windshields.
I was amazed at the amount of traffic on the road when there was
virtually no where to go. Families were enjoying the day off in the
park, playing cricket, or simply taking a stroll. Barber shops, grocery
stores, and food vendors were buzzing around Rawalpindi. Several feet from where some guy beat up his neighbor, he now grabs a cup of chai
, a hair cut and heads to work or the park. Most, I imagine, have no
real idea of why they were going crazy the day before.....this is
apparent because morning and protest have seemingly all been forgotten.
The adrenaline rush is over, these same people were probably not even going to vote
in Jan.....or at least probably not for B.B. Much like how
most of those taking part in the L.A. riots several years ago didn't
know anything about the Rodney King decision. The cable and Internet
operators were still working hard, as their was no interruption in
service....we can see where the priorities are in people no matter
where they are from. We all want our MTV andYouTube don't we?

I
head down to Lahore in the morning. Irritated and saddened that
senseless violence caused even greater senseless reactions. I think I'm
even more saddened the people couldn't even commit to more than a few
hours! Not that I'm hoping for more idiotic rebellion and death, it's
just here is another piece of evidence for the prosecution of man that
we are complete selfish morons. Life will resume in full swing within a
day or so I'm convinced. I'm also convinced political violence will
continue. There are many people out there who do not wish for democracy
in Pakistan. It may be tattered democracy, but it's still a spit in the
face of a select few. What I wish for mostly is people will choose to
disobey themurderers and refuse to be stopped, because what has taken
place the last several days is exactly what the "fighters" are hoping
for. They only need to kill a few people and the whole country goes up
in flames, and life is at a stand still. We don't need the "terrorists"
in the world, do we, because we cause more damage to ourselves from
within than those from outside could ever do. And that is the truth for
everywhere.