Lawyers leading Pakistan protests; lawyers!

The news from Pakistan, a nation with nuclear weapons at its disposal, is scary. Because Pakistan has been somewhat helpful with the Bush administration’s War on Terror campaign, at times, perhaps you could call it an ally. So, with too many balls in the air America’s state department finds itself in another dicey situation.

What’s more important to America’s long-term interests, having a democracy in Pakistan, or having a dependable ally? You see, it’s a lot easier to bribe a dictator than it is a whole functioning government whose lawmakers were chosen by fair elections.

Meanwhile, the protests in Pakistan’s streets continue, as described in this Reuters story:

Pakistan's opposition grappled for a united response on Tuesday to President Pervez Musharraf’s imposition of emergency rule, leaving lawyers to protest alone for a second day and bear the brunt of a police crackdown.

Ousted chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, though being held incommunicado at his residence, managed to get out a message by mobile phone to the lawyers' movement that has been leading the public protests. “The constitution has been ripped to shreds,” Chaudhry said.

Rather than dwell on the shadow of danger this development casts on the region and American interests, I’d just like to underline one point. At this stage of the newest dramatic struggle for power in Pakistan, it’s lawyers who are leading the protests.

Lawyers!

Bottom line: Try to imagine attorneys in the USA taking such a risk to life and limb for the sake of establishing a foothold for true democracy. Like, how many fat cat American lawyers would actually take such a principled/dangerous stand for the sake of anything?