The courage to back freedom's call

When the news spread Friday that millions of pro-democracy protesters had forced the ouster of Hosni Mubarak in Egypt, it sent shock waves throughout the Middle East.

But also throughout the Western world, and to some degree, here at home, so many of us seem unable to quite know what to think.

Dick Durbin, a Springfield Democrat and one of the most powerful members of the U.S. Senate, issued a statement generally sympathetic to the ouster but also careful about saying too much. “Egypt's future is now in the hands of the Egyptian people,” Durbin said. “The United States stands ready to help them move toward peace and democracy.”

Sen. Mark Kirk, a Highland Park Republican and a self-styled egghead on foreign affairs, focused primarily on U.S. security interests.

“President Mubarak made the right decision to step down,” Kirk said. “Now we should support the army and the transitional government to maintain stability, reaffirm the Egyptian-Israeli peace and prevent the radical Muslim Brotherhood from taking power.”

In large degree, almost all suburban members of the U.S. House maintained low profiles.

In fact, if you had checked their official websites on Saturday morning, you would have found nary a reference to Egypt.

Not on the government website for Robert Dold of Kenilworth. Or Judy Biggert of Hinsdale. Or Randy Hultgren of Winfield. Or Joe Walsh of McHenry. Not a word. Not even from Jan Schakowsky of Evanston, chief deputy whip for the Democrats, or from Peter Roskam of Wheaton, chief deputy whip for the Republicans.

In fact, the only local member of the U.S. House to exert some bully pulpit leadership on Mubarak's departure was Don Manzullo of Egan.

We're impressed not just by Manzullo's statesmanship in saying something, but also by the wisdom of what he said.

“Our thoughts today are with the people of Egypt as they celebrate this historic nonviolent transition of power in their nation with hopes for a more free and prosperous future,” Manzullo said. “The resignation of President Mubarak paves the way for new leaders to emerge through Democratic elections guided by the principles of freedom to lead the people of Egypt forward.

“We urge a prompt and orderly transition but caution the people of Egypt to avoid the advances of extremist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood who would rule through fear and draw a wedge among Egypt, the United States, Israel and other nations.”

This is a complex matter and an unsettling time. Mubarak was a dictator but also a stabilizing force in a dangerous region. It's easy to see why so many here don't know how to respond.

But it seems to us that Manzullo's got it right on all counts.

We have to exercise concern for our security and take reasoned steps to protect it.

Ultimately, however, we cannot cherish freedom without celebrating the opportunity for its advance.

And we cannot stand for freedom without backing it even when it makes us nervous.