OF DICTATORSHIPS AND DOUBLE STANDARDS:

Musharraf Praises Dawn of Democracy for Pakistan: Pakistan's president says his country, is ushering in a new era of democracy following years of his autocratic rule. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports from Islamabad that Pervez Musharraf, in his Pakistan Day address, also credited his regime with paving the way for the return to civilian government. (Steve Herman
23 March 2008, VOA News)

In his address at the national stadium in the capital Sunday, Mr. Musharraf hailed a "new real era of democracy" for Pakistan.

While making reference to the incoming civilian government resulting from democratic elections he permitted this year, the president also defended his nine years of strong-armed rule as a journey "toward democracy and development."

Holding elections and abiding by them is what makes some authoritarians democrats.

Posted by Orrin Judd at March 23, 2008 5:55 AM