With friends like Pakistan's dictator...

we really don't need enemies, do we?

Pakistan is playing out as an all-too-typical example of US foreign policy. Back a military dictator who ousted the elected leaders because they aren't tough enough. Let him clear out those who believe in democracy; they're easy. Push the whole country to side with the true crazies willing to hide in the mountains or the jungles or wherever.

For a while it looks good, then it all turns ugly. This is just happening more quickly than Central America or Iran.

And we even invited Bhutto to return and get killed, which, you know, you could have predicted. She did. Bush and Condi, who came up with the invite? They aren't so bright.

Whether our friend the general did it himself or just let the radicals do it -- say, in exchange for another few years of safety for the Taliban and Osama in the wilds of Pakistan -- matters little. Once again, we mucked about in another country's business, got in bad with a bad guy, and we'll be paying for it for years.

At least, we only pay theoretically. Pakistanis pay with their lives.

BTW, an addendum to Michael's Huckabee post. Woody Guthrie wrote a great song, 'Jesus Christ for President,' recorded by Billy Bragg. All that's new today is the lack of subtlety.