Alton-

"Pakistan last week, Kenya today. When will the western world realise that the mentality of these countries is third world and no amount of talking or throwing money at them will ever relieve their problems."

Yes, why don't you retreat to some hole and shovel in the dirt afterwards (no easy task!).

However, I do agree that there are no simplistic solutions to what is happening in Pakistan, Kenya, and many other countries on this planet.

The Bhutto family does seem to be exercising some positioning strategy. According to the papers I've read this morning, it was the husband, Arif Ali Zardari, who was designated in Benazir's will to be her sole successor and lead the PPP party. He in turn appointed their son Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari chairman of the PPP, while presiding over day to day affairs of the Party until the son completes his education at Oxford. The Party's vice-chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim would be the actual candidate for prime minister if they win the national elections, if and when they take place. This strategy might even work given the surge of sympathy for the Bhutto family, and criticism that would be focused on the financial manipulations alleged to have been orchestrated by Zardari might be deflected.

That's a lot of factual material, and a few assumptions, to mull over. But how about a few more remarks about Obama, just to keep things stirring?

Charley Noble