IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE

For several months after 9/11, America’s airports were filled with armed soldiers. I suspect it was a classic case of closing the barn door after the horse was gone, but it delivered a powerful message: freedom is fragile.

President Musharraf of Pakistan has just declared a state of emergency rule in that country, the equivalent of martial law. He suspended the constitution, arrested the chief justice of the supreme court, suspended elections, closed down the TV stations, cut off phone service to the capitol, and sent soldiers into the streets to maintain order. There were some mild protests at which 500 people were immediately arrested.

Musharraf blamed his actions on reported threats of armed aggression, which may or may not have been true. It hardly matters. Some analysts felt this was an attempt on his part to retain power. Pakistan, it should be noted, is one of our major allies in the middle east, a country supposedly on the road to democracy.

I can’t help but wonder if George W. Bush isn’t watching this drama unfold on TV ( since he doesn’t bother reading newspapers ) and thinking to himself, “Shoot, do you s’pose I could do that here? I’ll bet I could.” And I’ll bet he’s right.

a foot on either side