I was shocked, heartbroken, unbelieving at the news of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination yesterday.
With the wonders of modern communication, I could see on the New York Times website pictures taken just seconds before the shots rang out, followed by a picture of the wall of fire from the suicide bomber’s explosion, people bleeding at that moment and forever more, a man in shock uttering a soundless scream as his world came apart.
The pictures of the speech / exhortation to her people that she finished just minutes before her death were powerful – a strong and beautiful woman who radiated wholeness and power, an embodiment of her own convictions. A true teacher and leader to her people.
The pictures of the crowd were wonderful, too – especially the women – standing proudly, stirred into more powerful versions of themselves by her example.
Poor Pakistan. Poor people. A new-made martyr to lead them now.