LAT: Experts on Pakistan

The LAT editorializes today on Pakistan, twice. It laments the death of Bhutto but blames her for failing to promote back-up leadership in her party and for having a corrupt husband. It blames the Bush administration for an "ignominious plan" to keep Musharraf "while ushering in" Bhutto as prime minister. And it urges that U.S. aid to Pakistan be cut off if Musharraf doesn't allow free and fair elections. Then it writes a presumptuous letter to Bhutto's son telling him to get an education and run for parliament.

At long distance from an office in downtown L.A., LAT editors are experts on Pakistan, able to analyze events there and prescribe solutions, all while accepting no responsibility if their analysis turns out wrong and their solutions don't work. Better to have a little humility. Pakistan is complicated and probably only Pakistanis understand the situation, if anybody does.