Benazir Bhutto assassinated, John Edwards issues statement

For those that don't know, Benazir Bhutto was assassinated today in Pakistan. I am stunned, shocked, extremely saddened by her death. Her autobiography made a profound impact on me when I read it during college, and probably had something to do with my interest in all things political. It also has everything to do with why Arabic and Middle Eastern women writers are some of my favorite.

I had the privilege of hearing her speak in person in San Francisco about eight years ago, and was delighted when, during the very limited Q & A time, she answered my question (about misconceptions that Westerners have of Arabic women). My heart goes out to everyone affected by this tragedy. May she rest in peace.

John Edwards has issued this statement.

Comments

[Glennia]

On NPR yesterday one of her friends said that she felt that her primary duty in life was to the cause of democracy...not to her husband, her country, or even her children, but to democracy. We so often take the right to vote for granted, and here is a woman who died for it. Although I know she was a controversial figure in Pakistan and elsewhere, I hope that her death was not in vain.