One Reason for Deteriorating US Pakistan Relations

The Pakistan government is having heart palipitations because Afghan President Hamid Karzai has arrived in India for talks about security and development. Several strategic accords are due to be signed during meetings with PM Manmohan Singh and other leaders.

India is a major player in Afghanistan and has already pledged $2bn (£1.3bn) in assistance to the Karzi government. This visit to Delhi follows a series of high-profile attacks in Afghanistan and deteriorating relations with Pakistan, India's long-term rival.

In a recent statement, Mr Karzai said his government would work closely with the US, Europe and India to plan Afghanistan's future. Delhi is also concerned about the security situation in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, especially as foreign troops begin to withdraw from the region.

India is one of Afghanistan's biggest donors, having pledged money for projects ranging from road construction to the building of the Afghan parliament - and is keen to play a bigger role. Afghan President Karzai will be signing a "strategic partnership" agreement with Prime Minister Singh.

The proposed pact is believed to include an Indian commitment to increase its training of Afghan security forces, including the police. India's involvement in Afghanistan is extremely sensitive because Pakistan views the country as its backyard.

Delhi has often accused Islamabad of links to groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Haqqani network that have carried out attacks in Afghanistan on Indian targets, including an assault on the Indian embassy in Kabul in July 2008, in which 40 people were killed.

Pakistan is keenly interested in being a major player in Afghanistan’s future and is especially anxious to keep India, a major rival, from that role. The fact that India is also a US ally limits the actions the Pakistani government can take and is one reason for its support of groups like the Haqqani network against Indian targets.

Weird Laws

Our country is now over 200 years old and over the course of time the Federal Government, State Governments and local communities have passed thousands of laws. Many of those laws were just plain dumb when they were written. Many more became obsolete, out dated and stupid as time passed. Unfortunately, many of those laws, though not enforced, still remain on the books. I have decided to put some of those in my little blog just to share a good laugh, o a good cry –or even an occasional scream- with you. Here is today’s entry or entries:

In Gary, Indiana it is illegal to attend the theater within four hours after eating garlic.

In Kansas it is illegal to sell cherry pie a la mode on Sundays.

In Kentucky it is illegal to marry the same man four times.

Live Long and Prosper....