Sunday, September 28, 2008

Zardari's T.G.I.F. in Manhattan

If I were Zardari, I would probably do the same.

First "singled out" by Bhutto-haters, then made to overwork by friends and supporters alike, though emotionally charged with several runaway political successes now to his credit, Zardari has lately been blackened like a Red Snapper by the American media, "oystercized" by the not-so-friendly British media, stirred fry like green beans by critics home and abroad and sauteed like diced carrots by the Pakistanis both in the USA and back home.

No wonder then that he had all the good reasons on Friday to make a T.G.I.F. (Thank God It's Friday) out of it for himself.

Giving one of his his favorite polo swings to the highly regimented daily protocols and formalities created by his aides and cohorts who are dime a dozen these days, Zardari decided to stampede his way ala Turkish delight, gushing with passion as he walked into the pad of his favorite Geisha.

Every one trusted the organizers of the New York Iftar party Friday on the official version why the president - Palin's Pakistani admirer at the highest office, abruptly left after only few handshakes with the guests, leaving them in utter confusion whether to wait for him or to have dinner without him or to leave. He did not even deliver few words of thanks to the invited ones, even though his wonder boy - wheeler-dealer diplomatic wiz kid Ambassador Husain Haqqani had a rostrum and microphone ready for his boss' speech.

Guests were officially told that the president had left because he had been overwhelmed by the emotional welcome he had received by the audience and was almost choking.

Hmmm...

But only a select group of journalists was given the red meat by a senior embassy official himself.
The president left the Iftar party as swiftly as he had come, in order to rush to his favorite bar-cum-restaurant he had frequented while living in Manhattan during exile.

According to a review of the Geisha by the The Scene, "Well-heeled wait-listers squeeze into a narrow lounge where a young, international jet-set crowd sips cocktails on mod couches."
Gayot.com says, "Geisha seems like two venues on one site---a downstairs bar scene and an upstairs place to find some exciting cuisine.."

Some Pakistani scribes scrambled the Geisha and were shocked to see the President there.
Zardari spent his next four hours partying in a private room there hosted ostensibly by the Turkish Ambassador to the United Nations, according to a reliable source. Only five persons were seen at the party. Mr Zardari's many female acquaintances were seen gushing over him, according to the source.

Geisha is close to Bhutto's (now Zardari's) Mission Avenue two-bedroom million-dollar condominium located in the heart of the New York City where he lived convalescening from heart attack and spinal injury as he waited for lady luck to smile again. In the meanwhile he underwent therapy at Mt Sinai hospital.

The rest is history as we all know or claim to know!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Zaidi being flown to Missouri?

Latest news is that on September 11, Nayyar Zaidi was officially served papers which orders him to undergo psychiatric evaluation.

According to his wife, Zaidi may be flown to Missouri where he will undergo monitoring and evaluation by a jail psychiatrist.

Based on the psychiatrist's evaluation, the court will then decide if Zaidi is A) capable of undergoing trial. B) if he should remain under psychiatric evaluation until he is capable of appearing in the court.

Under US law a judge may order that an accused be evaluated for mental and psychological fitness in order to undergo a trial. Same yardstick applies if the accused wishes to represent himself or herself.

Zaidi had requested the court that he be allowed to represent himself. But latest information is that he is seeking legal help and has also appealed to the jousnalistic and media organizations to assist him.