Monday, August 10, 2009

Sorting Out A Disputed Election

In Pakistan they really know how to do it right. If you don't approve of the winner, you simply knock them off, and try again in the next election. Benazer Bhutto comes to mind right up front, but wait, there's more.

You may have heard of the recent demise of Baitullah Mehsud, leader of the Pakistani Taliban, who reputedly ascended to the post after "eliminating" his own brother from the competition. All that work and what do you get? A missile from a Predator drone, right in the middle of a leg massage. At least his legs aren't sore anymore.

The Taliban held a convention to pick a successor. Hakimullah Mehsud was elected. the loser, Wali-ur-Rehman, upset with the outcome, opened fire on Mehsud, killing him. Mehsud's followers fired back, killing Wally. I suspect that more than just the two were among the departed by the end of the "recount", and it appears that now they have to start all over with a new slate of candidates.

While putting "none of the above" on the ballot accomplishes the same thing, you have to admit the Pakistani method is certainly more exciting, plus there's the possibility of TV talking heads to become part of the collateral damage. A win-win-win situation.

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