Musharraf: "We Have Our Own Brains"

"And they're this big!"

DAVOS, Switzerland (CNN) -- Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf lashed out Thursday at what he called Western "intellectual arrogance" toward his country, angrily dismissing claims that rising unpopularity has undermined his authority.

Musharraf, who was forced to impose a state of emergency last year to quell violent protests but failed to prevent the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, sought to defend his embattled leadership and record in combating terrorism.

"The mandate has been given. Why doesn't the West, which is supposed to be civilized, understand things?" Musharraf told CNN in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

"Why doesn't it understand that we maybe are a developing country, we have our flaws, we believe in constitution, we know how to run government, we are not such clueless people who do not know how to run a country, we have our own brains." (CNN)

Oh, well I feel better now. Like Alexander Haig, Musharraf has everything under control. I mean, we should probably just ignore the very public assassination of Benazir Bhutto, because Peshawar C.S.I. is on the case. And while we're at it, we should respect the massive Pakistani brains, and forget that their most popular sport is cricket. Cricket! Finally, we should celebrate the wisdom of Babu Bhatt, who not only allowed two restaurants to go bankrupt, but also deftly allowed himself to be deported back to his delightful homeland. Bravo, Babu!

But what do I know? I am simply another American filled with "intellectual arrogance."

Actually, that's one of the nicest compliments I ever received!