Martyred but not a martyr

Ms. Leonardia, I read with interest your article Friday concerning the comparisons between the lives of Benazir Bhutto and Ninoy Aquino. There were some similiararities. They were both martyred. .

Both in exile...she most of the time in London , he in Boston . Both came back to their countries which were under marshall rule. Both made ominous remarks about a pemature death, Aquino before leaving the plane and Bhutto, in several interviews chiefly with an NBC reporter.

But, then, the comparison stops. Ninoy Aqino, a former senator, came back to return democracy to the Philippines . He did not succeed. His wife did. Benazir Bhutto was elected prime minister of Pakistan in 1988 but served only 20 months and was ousted by the president then because of corruption.

She served again, as prime minister, from 1993 to 1996 and, again, was ousted, because of corruption, by another president. Finally in 2007, she was granted amnesty, somewhat like Erap, by then Pres. Musharraf. Ninoy Aquino was a true martyr. I don't believe Bhutto was. I also read, with enthusiasm, your article a week ago (Saturday). It was innovative and original. A real nice job. The best for the new year.

Regards...

R. Leonard Strause
strause_r@yahoo.com>

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