Pakistan's bloody week scares people worldwide

Pakistan is a mess we must help solve

UPDATE, 12/31: Doubts about official Pakistani gov't line on Bhutto murder.

UPDATE, 12/30: New leaders appointed.

TUCSON -- We're back from SoCal at the end of a bloody Christmas week in world politics.

My family and I are deeply disturbed and saddened by the killing of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan.

The situation there now is looking very desperate for democracy hopes.

Pakistan must hold free and fair elections very soon. Bhutto's party should nominate someone else in her place, and win the power back. Musharraf has been a dangerous failure and must go.

The Taliban must be defeated. Bush & Cheney's unwise Iraq war is taking too much attention off keeping the Taliban out of power, risking a situation where terrorists could get control of Pakistan's nukes.

Serious concerns weigh on our minds. We're hoping for a more peaceful and prosperous 2008 for all.

We need a President like Bill Richardson, with solid and strong leadership and diplomacy skills to help lead us toward world peace, and away from world war.