Interesting developments, to be sure. And revolutions usually are volatile and unpredictable. However, the people of Egypt will get the government that the people of Egypt want, which is what democracy and self-determination is all about. Of course, if they still want that big fat aid check coming from the United States every month, they won't go too far off the deep end with the theocratical aspect.
On February 11, 1979 the Shah of Iran was overthrown. On February 11, 2011 the President of Egypt was overthrown. February 11 is known as "Islamic Revolution's Victory Day" in Iran. I think that Obama needs to demand a free and democratic Egypt and send emmisaries to Egypt to help form that government ASAP. He had a chance in 2009 to assist the Iranian protesters, but he did not intervene. Rarely does one get a chance for redemption, but it's right there for the taking, if we want it. I wonder what he'll say in an hour. I can't remember the last time a President spoke after a military junta ousted a quasi-ally like Mubarak.
This is also a great opportunity for President Obama to mention Iran. Perhaps the same type of protests will result once again, and this time we won't stand by in silence as people are slaughtered in the streets.
The US, Obama, Glenn Beck, Bush, PapaG did not start the Egyptian Revolution. And they can't start an Iranian Revolution. The US spent hundreds of billions of dollars and thousands of lives to impose "democracy" in Iraq at gunpoint and ended up with continuing violence and a government with little authority. The Egyptians brought about, or I should say are bringing about, democracy with few resources but cell phones, strikes and their own power. Because ultimately laws and governments are meaningless when the population decides they are no longer legitimate. (note: that is not the same as tea party saying Obama is a secret foreign born Muslim) Everything done in the past 2-3 weeks in Egypt is illegal under the state of emergency. So what? No one could stop it. I saw an interesting commentary last night that this is Osama bin Laden's worst nightmare. A peaceful revolution, with women participating openly, with unity between Christians, Muslims and others, did what he could never do, actually overthrow an unpopular government. Al qaeda was seen as an option, maybe the only option, by those with good reason to be disaffected. Now they have another. One that worked. The road ahead is unclear but for today, the Egyptian people have won the right to celebrate.
Meddling from the USA would make it look like a sham, the same would have been the case for Iran as well.
This is exactly where mubarak came from in the first place. The people of Egypt must not be pushed one way or the other. Worst case, but realistic scenario, is the military maintains it's strangle hold on the country. The military is buddy-buddy with the US. There is not good way to keep the promise, but I don't think you need to worry about the outcome of Egypt at this point.
We already meddled by demanding a fast transition of power. Now, it's partially our responsibility to ensure safety for the Egyptian people.
Yikes. Shouldn't he take at least a few questions on such a "world changing" day? http://www.politico.com/politico44/...wer_99d2be56-341b-4339-a0c3-f8e12fb0bc36.html
Commenting on the situation is different than sending troops/agents in to overthrow your rogue dictator. When has a president ever given a decent answer to the press corps? It's usually always a lot of hot air and baloney. He's better off saving his breath and going back to the "war room" to figure out what he's going to do with Israel & the new Middle East.
...finally, a revolution to overthrow one of the many puppet dictatorships that the US controls! Which country is next?
