Profile in Courage

The news of Benazir Bhutto's assassination was tragic, but, unfortunately, not unexpected.

Surely she knew, that the odds that she would be killed during her campaign to become Prime Minister of Pakistan, were great. Still, she chose to take her chances and to argue for democracy and against both the terrorism of al-qaeda and the despotism of Musharraf.

I heard a radio commentator make an essential point about the nature of her courage versus the level of politics in this country. Bhutto dared to challenge the powers that be in Pakistan at the risk of (and, ultimately, the cost of) her life. Our politicos do not dare utter a word that has not been polled and "focus-grouped" to insure it is what our voters want to hear.

No American presidential candidate will challenge the value of ethanol in front of Iowa voters for fear of loss of votes. What could we expect if, like Benazir Bhutto, their lives were at stake?

Update: Mark Steyn comments on Bhutto's death in the National Review Online.