"Why doesn't somebody, anybody advise our President."
"I don't think he has empowered anyone within his party to advise him. He is operating like a leader - he sayeth and they must obey, or so I have heard."
"I disagree. When Benazir was alive he was"
"Different strokes for different times."
"But...?"
"What about when Musharraf was the president? How did Zardari behave then? And how does he behave now? Different strokes for different times as I say. Don't dwell on the past, think of the present."
"But Zardari does need advice you know. He is making too many mistakes."
"Like what?"
"With the country in turmoil, both politically and economically, you still ask that question."
"But anyone else would have made the same decisions."
"I disagree. But tell me what has he done that has angered you so much?"
"He has congratulated Ahmedinejad for winning an election that is controversial."
"Well, he was probably thinking of the gas pipeline deal."
"That has been signed and a third party, namely France, has guaranteed the deal so there is little the embattled Iranian president can do now."
"Maybe Zardari congratulated him given that he considers Ahmedinejad his personal friend and..."
"There are no personal friendships amongst world leaders, just national interest as perceived by the leaders."
"Brown called Zardari to..."
"An embattled Prime Minister calls up a President with the lowest popularity rating ever, even less than Musharraf."
"Ah yes, but maybe Brown is trying to divert attention from his own troubles and..."
"Talking to Zardari is not going to cut it."
"If Brown had his hand on the pulse of his people he wouldn't be in the position he is in now."
"That's true."