[KnowItAll]

it isn't helpful to keep dragging up historical actions which have no real relevance in a world is a very different place and is continuing to evolve rapidly.

But its all ok for every colonial brit type to go "yeah, but India would be a third world dump if it wasnt for us who brought in the railways etc". Easy to forget that India was a trading nation that went far beyond its current borders without the great white man's help.

Guardian rubbish? Sure ...

[KnowItAll]

Shilo : Amen.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by KnowItAll

"yeah, but India would be a third world dump if it wasnt for us who brought in the railways etc".

That's not what I said. What I believe is that the good things outweighed the bad. I also agree that the region known now as India had a long history as one of the relatively more advanced regions of the world at that time. But surely you must agree that India today is far short of its potential? (Although not as far short as Pakistan or Indonesia)

[Boris]

I hate to say this but both of you ( KIA - our lord and master PDLM - him who like to be, well, PDLM ) should take this squabble elsewhere. Your points are a) wrong country b) wrong subject.

Personally I was hoping there would be a good informed and meaningful discussion about this tragic, if not inevitable, event. It started out that way but now is dominated by bitch slapping.

Shame.

[PDLM]

Ah but that just illustrates the transient nature of nations. During a period of a 100 years or so Pakistan was part of India. It's only 60 years since they split.

And it's not a squabble, it's a frank exchange of views.

[KnowItAll]

Boris - You're right .. I'll shut up. I simply cannot deal with the "we gave you the railways so there you go, its quid pro quo".

Time to get back to work ...

[Sleuth]

Originally Posted by shilo507

The assassination of Benazir Bhutto was indeed a heinous act but I am surprised people are shocked.

Pakistan is a failed state on the verge of civil war and is arguably one of the most dangerous countries in the world. It is politically unstable, probably home to Al-Qaeda's top personnel and has a nuclear capability.

Why the shock?

Exactly. She knew coming back was a big risk, but must have decided the potential pay-off was worth it. Even she couldn't have been shocked. And now all of her followers will blame most of the rest of the world, from GW to Osama to the ISS to who knows who/what else and use the excuse to trash and kill whatever they want. After all, "an eye for an eye" and all that.
Perhaps Ghandi was right and Pakistan should have stayed in India; couldn't be worse off. And, by maintaining a sizeable Muslim population there, perhaps India would also have been better off.
The world will never know.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by Sleuth

And, by maintaining a sizeable Muslim population there, perhaps India would also have been better off.

Er, there are more Muslims in India than in Pakistan.

[Sleuth]

Okay, then scratch that. From what I see in the press, I thought Muslims in India were a rather small minority.
I believe I got the Ghandi part right, though?
And if there are more in India than Pakistan, why can't they figure out some way to get together on issues? Or are the Muslims in India just sort of ignored?
And yes I know I am veering off topic, so feel free to ignore.

[Skyhook]

Didnt the fanatical Muslim faction kill Ghandi ?

It seems that the moment somebody promotes a peaceful mantra of united equality in those regions, the fanatical muslims jump in and kill them off....

Any Muslims here brave enough to explain to me why ?

I agree that India would have been much better off as a combined nation with Pakistan etc, now we have a ticking time bomb with a 50 / 50 chance that a revolution will take place.

Lets hope that during that revolution, if it happens, that some crazed Muslim fanatic doesnt get his hands on the nuke button faced with defeat, taking everybody out....