Powered By Blogger

Share

Bookmark and Share

Sunday, January 30, 2011

It's not easy

As we watch the protests and unrest unfold in Egypt, it is easy to get caught up in the emotion. I am watching American Egyptians march in solidarity with the Egyptians who wish to overthrow Mubarek and I ask myself if they realize that rushing toward his ouster could have detrimental effects on their American home? It is easy to encourage the President and Congress to support Egyptian efforts toward Democracy out of a sense of good and right, but our nation's committment to the Israeli/Egyptian peace has long term ramifications if destroyed by an overanxious new government without regard to an already unstable part of the world. The Egyptians are calling for Mubarek to step down, but there are no scheduled elections, no competing candidates with platforms for the people to review and no democratic process in place to replace him with. It is so easy to feel for the Egyptian people but not so easy to sever all of our historic ties with their government due to aspects of autocracy. Slow and steady wins the race. Perhaps Mubarek can commit to leaving office within a reasonable near term time frame while establishing a set date for an election and a period of campaign so people can choose from a field of candidates. During this time, a loosening of the reigns and the establishment of an issues committe headed by ElBaredi, a respected opposition leader. Perhaps this is better than burning, looting and chaos. Where are you Americans for reason and truth?

1 comment:

  1. Teacher, even a broken clock is correct twice a
    day. You got this'n right. Keep it up, I think
    there's hope "fer ya" yet.I know a guy as smart
    as you evidently are had to have some "common
    sense"in all that "book learning."

    Bootstrap Bob.

    ReplyDelete