While it seems that Musharraf bashing is the new trendy pastime for American journalists, rarely are Pakistan's successes during the past eight years mentioned.

In spite of his unconventional ascent to power, Musharraf has managed to markedly improve Pakistan's economy (the Karachi stock exchange has been one best performing among emerging market until the recent political turmoil), and make great strides towards normalizing relations with India. Neither Nawaz nor Benazir managed to even come close in either category. And by the way, Musharraf has been the most cooperative head of state, aside from Tony Blair, in the Bush administration's "war on terror", much to his own personal detriment.

There comes a time for every president to step aside and allow the political process to produce the next generation of leadership. However, this does not give journalists license to debase and slander a president who has done more for a nation than his two predecessors combined.