I don’t think we’ve missed the bus. The US is in-between a rock and a hard place because we’ve supported this jerk for so long (and so many others).
Besides, though I’m completely behind the protesters here, I am a believer in cautious, intentional, well-considered steps forward rather than rashly rushing in without a second thought. They need to change this government, but they have to have something better to replace it with.
cdedward is right. Be careful what you wish for. Throwing the bums out creates a vacuum and who knows what will fill it? Looking past tomorrow seems not to be crossing the minds of the protesters.
The last country in that region to experiment with Democracy was Algeria…and the people promptly voted in a Muslim Fundamentalist Party. ( Which was just as promptly overthrown in a military coup. )
Indeed, cdward and beenthere41. It is unfortunate that the protesters almost need to keep up the urgency to ensure change does occur, but exercise patience so that the process is not hijacked by some opportunistic person or group who do not have the Egyptians’ best interests at heart.
Even though I think what the administration is doing is prolly the best it can do under the circumstances, this is a definite no-win for the US. And I am afraid that Mr. Oliphant is merely rubbing our collective faces in it.
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
It can work, for a while, when an honorable military takes over from a corrupt claim to democracy. (see Pakistan) Might be good for America, until power corrupts. This is where I get off. (double entendre intended, revolution is in my blood) Now where is the connecting busstop to where we need to go?
A woman beaten by her man (or it can be the other way around) can leave and then take back her abuser several times, our of pitty, fear of being alone and many other reasons but when she really decides she had enough, she wants that person out of her life and she doesn’t want it out in a year, not in eight months, not in six months, not out in one month, not out in a week or even a day. She wants him (or her, I know a case like that) out of her life NOW.
What’s going on in Egypt right now seems like a huge version of that. It’s a people who had enough and won’t take any more abuse in the name of “stability”. They know there might be chaos, but they prefer that over more abuse.
I totally missed Mubarak hiding behind Uncle Sam. Seems he missed the bus, too. But not to worry. He has decided to wait for the stretch limo that will transport him away in the style befitting a world leader such as himself. Maybe the Army will drive him out with a tank?
OmqR-IV.0 about 13 years ago
There you have it, it is a well known fact that dictators made trains (and buses) run on time. Prepare to miss more buses in future.
cdward about 13 years ago
I don’t think we’ve missed the bus. The US is in-between a rock and a hard place because we’ve supported this jerk for so long (and so many others).
Besides, though I’m completely behind the protesters here, I am a believer in cautious, intentional, well-considered steps forward rather than rashly rushing in without a second thought. They need to change this government, but they have to have something better to replace it with.
beenthere41 about 13 years ago
cdedward is right. Be careful what you wish for. Throwing the bums out creates a vacuum and who knows what will fill it? Looking past tomorrow seems not to be crossing the minds of the protesters.
Simon_Jester about 13 years ago
The last country in that region to experiment with Democracy was Algeria…and the people promptly voted in a Muslim Fundamentalist Party. ( Which was just as promptly overthrown in a military coup. )
OmqR-IV.0 about 13 years ago
Two journalists whose words you may want to read are Roger Cohen & Nicholas Kristof. Both are in Tahrir square.
txmystic about 13 years ago
Indeed, cdward and beenthere41. It is unfortunate that the protesters almost need to keep up the urgency to ensure change does occur, but exercise patience so that the process is not hijacked by some opportunistic person or group who do not have the Egyptians’ best interests at heart.
Even though I think what the administration is doing is prolly the best it can do under the circumstances, this is a definite no-win for the US. And I am afraid that Mr. Oliphant is merely rubbing our collective faces in it.
ChukLitl Premium Member about 13 years ago
Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble.
It can work, for a while, when an honorable military takes over from a corrupt claim to democracy. (see Pakistan) Might be good for America, until power corrupts. This is where I get off. (double entendre intended, revolution is in my blood) Now where is the connecting busstop to where we need to go?
jkshaw about 13 years ago
Oliphant is good at illustrating chaos. Even the cobbled road looks unhinged.
CorosiveFrog Premium Member about 13 years ago
You know a victim of domestic violence?
A woman beaten by her man (or it can be the other way around) can leave and then take back her abuser several times, our of pitty, fear of being alone and many other reasons but when she really decides she had enough, she wants that person out of her life and she doesn’t want it out in a year, not in eight months, not in six months, not out in one month, not out in a week or even a day. She wants him (or her, I know a case like that) out of her life NOW.
What’s going on in Egypt right now seems like a huge version of that. It’s a people who had enough and won’t take any more abuse in the name of “stability”. They know there might be chaos, but they prefer that over more abuse.
Bluejayz about 13 years ago
I totally missed Mubarak hiding behind Uncle Sam. Seems he missed the bus, too. But not to worry. He has decided to wait for the stretch limo that will transport him away in the style befitting a world leader such as himself. Maybe the Army will drive him out with a tank?
rockngolfer about 13 years ago
^The news reports go back and forth, still.