Letter: Don’t let assassination stymie democracy

Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007 | 12:40 p.m.

Regardless of how Benazir Bhutto is viewed, her assassination represents a tremendous blow to the forces of democracy in Pakistan. It also reminds us of the fragility of the life of any individual - even of our leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln.

In the spirit of these martyred leaders, it is my hope that Ms. Bhutto's tragic demise will not discourage democratic forces in Pakistan but will instead serve as a rallying point and wake-up call for the vast majority of decent, law-abiding, democracy-seeking citizens of Pakistan and elsewhere to vigilantly and jointly eradicate terrorism wherever and whenever it rears its ugly head.

Pakistanis must redirect and focus their anger at this cataclysm into a positive force for change and reconciliation for the nation. The government of Pakistan must also shoulder some of the blame for this tragic event because past assassination attempts on Ms. Bhutto should have served as warnings to better protect her. It must do whatever it takes to protect all of Pakistan's citizens from extremists.

Democracy will never survive in a society where one cannot speak freely without fear.

Michael Pravica, Henderson