News: Bilawal

I recently wrote a story on Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's first press conference. To lose your Mom and then be thrust into a role you don't really have any say in accepting–I can't imagine. But of course I can't imagine, none of us can really.

But what most of us can imagine because most of us have been there is being a freshman in college and going on vacation for Christmas holiday, which is exactly where and what Bilawal was doing before he received notice to come home.

While Bilawal held great composure and did a decent job of handling the questions from reporters, it's obvious the entire time you're watching him that he's only 19. For most of the conference he keeps a veil, albeit a thin one, over the fact that he is not experienced at this and doesn't really want to be there.

At one point in the conference he slips back into college mode and remarks, "Okay, Wow" at one reporter's three part question.

It's mid-way through the conference before Bilawal is roughed up by reporter Jeremy Paxman, who showed no mercy that he was dealing with a teenager who has lost his mother and been thrust into the limelight all within two weeks.

As one Guardian reporter stated, "It was like watching a bully kicking a kitten."

Hopefully, Bilawal will receive the privacy he's requested while studying at Oxford University for the next few years before returning to Pakistan to act as leader of the Pakistan People's Party.