Friday, April 1, 2011

Breaking News!

The World Cricket Federation has just overturned the outcome of the monumental match between Pakistan and India; a new free energy invention has just solved all of the world's energy needs; innovative global economic and political reforms have eliminated all poverty; all wars have ceased and peace and freedom have been declared all over the planet! Good News!!!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Egyptian Uprising - What's Next?

The current Egyptian uprising is now in full swing after Mubarak's speech today. The dictator showed the usual tyrranical contempt for the people of his country by refusing to aquiesce to the number one major demand of the demonstrators - his abdication.

Before the speech was even half completed, the protesters in "Liberty" Square began demanding his resignation. Loud chants were heard as the crowds grew more and more angry.

One thing is for certain, Mubarak's speech is guaranteed to keep the protests in the streets happening. He could not have done more to promote revolution except for maybe ordering the army to fire on protesters.

And where is the army in all of this? A major Egyptian military leader had told the revolutionaries earlier in the day that all of thier demands would be met today. So what happened? The global media was taken completely by surprise. Looking foolish for predicting Mubarak's exit today, the BBC, NPR and other news networks were caught off guard and have spent most of the day trying to figure out how they had been duped.

Perhaps it would have been beneficial for them to have included a few more Egyptian voices in their media discussions, instead of spending most of thier time interviewing American US and UK journalists, university professors and political pundits.

It seems pretty clear that the demonstrators are even more inspired than ever to stay in the streets and fight for their rights. At some point, they may choose to march on the presidential palace, which could cause a serious dilemna for the military. The army has stated through several of their spokespersons that they are in support of the people in the streets. So how will the army react if the mobs march on Mubarak's palace?

The word on the streets of Cairo is that the soldiers will not fire on thier own people. Will they simply standby and protect Mubarak without attacking or arresting the demonstrators?

This is definitely a stand-off for the moment. I predict many pro-democracy soldarity rallies will take place around the world tomorrow to show support for the people of Egypt. This social and economic revolution is bound to be successful if the protesters remain non-violent because most of the rest of the planet is in support of their struggle.

The present situation in Egypt has put the US in a difficult diplomatic position. Having supported Mubarak for years with military and political assistance, Obama's statements of support for the demonstrators now sound a bit hollow and very much politically motivated. Mubarak is reacting as the consumate tyrant, refusing to face reality at his own risk. He continues to be arrogant and greedy for power even while his nation is falling apart before his eyes. Meanwhile, Obama, the consumate politician, speaks out of both sides of his mouth. Yes, he says, we are with you, but our support only goes so far...

The truth is, most of the peple on the streets in Cairo, Suez and Alexandria have made it abundantly clear that they do not care at all what US diplomats or President Obama is saying about the future of their nation. After 7,000 years of civilization, Egyptians are more than ready to make those decisions for themselves, without foreign support or interference.

So far, this has been a populist middle class movement. Now workers are striking and the Egyptian press is begininning to open up and allow more freedom of speech. Mubarak's days as a despot are obviously numbered...